A Charge to Keep

The Witnesses of the Charge

1 Timothy 6:13 NASB95

13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,

I charge you -

The Letters to Timothy and Titus B. Final Charge to Timothy (6:11–21)

Paul’s “I charge you” in v. 13 is the rhetorical equivalent of grabbing Timothy by the shoulders and giving him a heartfelt and bracing shake.

Presence of God

Isaiah 6:1–7 NASB95

1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. 5 Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”

Who gives life to all things. - Paul had just commanded Timothy to fight the good fight. Battles have casualties. Soldiers die in battle. Remember though God is the life giver. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Do you believe this? Timothy was to have no fear in the battle because no matter what happened, Timothy would rise again by the power of the God of life.

This book is preserved for our instruction. We too are to fight the battle for truth, against false doctrine, the doctrine of demons, against the rulers and principalities of this present darkness.

Christ Jesus - In His presence. Seated at the right hand of the Father, His work of redemption completer. He is interceding for us as our great High Priest. He is the creator, redeemer, the head of the church, our Lord and the King.

The good confession before Pontius Pilot.

Luke 23:3 NASB95

3 So Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”

The Length of the Charge

1 Timothy 6:14 NASB95

14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Timothy 6:15 (NASB95)

15 which He will bring about at the proper time—

What is the command? It is what Paul commanded to Timothy in verse 12 which is to fight the good fight of faith.

Without Stain /reproach - blemish/un-rebukable

Until the appearing of our Lord - this extend this call to all of us. Hasn’t happened yet, but it will.

In proper time

Hebrews 10:37 NASB95

37 For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.