13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Timothy 6:13–14 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul issued five commandments to his young protégé Timothy in the immediate context of I Timothy 6:11-16. The first was to flee the temptations of earthly riches (vs.11a). The second was to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness (vs. 11b). The third was to fight the good fight of faith (vs. 12a). The fourth was to take hold of the eternal life. The fifth command was for Timothy to keep all the pervious commands concerning personal discipline and pastoral duties.
The phrase I charge you in the presence of God meant Paul was issuing Timothy a order. So strong was this statement the apostle referred to the Lord’s presence or awareness of this command (2 Peter 1:20-21). Timothy was not only to perceive Paul’s authority as an apostle but also the Lord’s sovereign authority as creator. It is He alone who gives life to all things, including Timothy (Acts 17:28; Job 12:10; Dan. 5:23).
Second, Paul also referred to Christ Jesus. Timothy was to obey because Jesus set an example of obedience to God the Father. The example Paul provided was Jesus’ good confession before Pontius Pilate.
Paul says, “I charge,” or “I command,” that is, “I pass along an authoritative message” (see on 1 Tim. 1:3; 4:11; 5:7). He presents two reasons why Timothy should do as he has just been told:
(1) Let him not fear for his life, for the charge is given and received under the very eyes of that God who is the Bestower and Preserver of life, the “life-generating” God. Cf. Luke 17:33; Acts 7:19.
(2) Let him remember what Christ Jesus (see on 1 Tim. 1:1; especially footnote) did when he was testifying before an enemy of the truth. Before Pontius Pilate he stood firm, and, bearing witness before him by word and deed (Matt. 27:1, 2, 11–31; Mark 15:1–20; Luke 23:1–7, 13–25; John 18:28–19:16), thus made the beautiful confession, thereby proving himself to be “the faithful witness” (Rev. 1:5; 3:14).[1]
How was Timothy to keep God’s command for personal holiness and pastoral responsibility?
Frist, he was to keep it unstained. The word unstained (ἄσπιλον; aspilon) means without fault and morally spotless. Timothy was not to allow anything to mar his personal holiness and moral character. Second, the young pastor was also to be free from reproach (ἀνεπίλημπτον; anepilempton) meaning to be morally above criticism.
Hence, let Timothy keep—that is, stand guard over, protect, and preserve—his commission. That commission, precept, or mandate, comprises all that he has been ordered to do with respect to the ministry of the gospel and the government of the church. Cf. 1 Tim. 6:20; then Matt. 28:20. He must, moreover, take care that his attitude and conduct is such that this commission remains “without spot” (see James 1:27; 2 Peter 3:14; cf. Eph. 5:27) and “above reproach” (see on 1 Tim. 3:2; literally, “not to be laid hold of,” hence, “irreprehensible,” “unassailable”).[2]
Timothy’s due diligence to be a godly man and minister of the gospel was to be kept until the appearing of the Lord. Therefore, Paul was saying this command applied not only to Timothy but to all who serve the Lord. Until our death, or the Lord’s return, this solemn charge concerning personal discipline and pastoral responsibilities must be guarded. The word appearing (ἐπιφανείας; epiphaneias) is where we derive the English word epiphany.
A similar command comes to all those upon whom similar responsibility has been conferred. Everyone must keep his commission untainted and unsullied until the very day of his death, or, if the consummation of the ages should occur before that time—Paul never sets dates; see N.T.C. on 1 Thess. 5:1, 2—, then “until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This appearing or manifestation is literally Christ’s epiphany, the first gleam of the dawn, namely, that dawn to which the believer looks forward with eager anticipation, the rising (never more to set!) of “the sun of righteousness with healing in its wings.” Cf. Mal. 1:11; 4:2; Is. 60:1–3; Luke 1:78, 79; Rev. 1:7; and for the word epiphany itself see N.T.C. on 2 Thess. 2:8; and cf. 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13.[3]
All believers in Christ must obey this solemn charge. May the Lord provide each of us the strength and resolve to obey (Phil. 2:12-13). May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 204–205.
[2] Ibid., 205.
[3] Ibid., 205.
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