A note from our Pastor:

“I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;”

1 Timothy 6:13

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

As bible students, we should remember the form the books of the bible were written in originally. When the Apostle Paul wrote the words we are studying they were a letter from him to a minister named Timothy. They were inspired by the Holy Spirit. They may have been discussed with other ministers and saints. But ultimately they were written as a personal, meaningful, communication from a father in the ministry to his charge.

Keeping the purpose in mind helps to explain the tone of the last verses of this chapter. What is written are the words of the Apostle as he closes this letter to Timothy. He cares deeply about his well-being. But he cares even more about the faithfulness of the congregation to follow after Jesus Christ. The mixture of the two makes the closing verses of this book quite solemn in nature.

The Apostle begins this verse with the words “I give thee charge.” However, this verse does not capture the charge given to Timothy. Rather, the authority under which the charge is given is detailed further. First, the Apostle says the charge is in the sight of God who quickeneth all things. Then in the sight of Jesus Christ who gave his own confession in his incarnate life.

Quickening in the scriptures refers to the giving of life. The Apostle does not specify one type of giving of life. Therefore, his reference could be to the giving of life at creation or birth, spiritually at the moment of regeneration, or even the raising of the dead at the second coming. It also could be a reference to God sustaining life rather than giving it. The Apostle’s reference is not defined and, therefore, could be any combination. The more important aspect of this is that the Apostle is telling Timothy that the charge he is giving is before a God not who takes life but who gives it and sustains it. It is a positive power and a strengthening force.

The Apostle also tells Timothy that his charge is before Jesus Christ who gave “a good confession”. It must be pointed out, that Jesus’s confession wasn’t good in the way we use that term. The Apostle’s phrase here means it was a perfect confession. The point of this statement is in how that confession was received. As perfect as it was, many denied Christ, many were angered by him, and eventually he was put to death despite his perfect confession. It‘s an encouragement to Timothy to not falter even if his confession is not having the effect he so desires.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah