“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom” (2Tim 4:1).
Turn on TV late in the afternoon and you can’t miss them. Usually one local independent station airs every single one of them. We’re talking about court shows. The list is long. The People’s Court. Judge Judy. Judge Mathis. Divorce Court. Even something called Hot Bench, which sounds like a problem with the courtroom thermostat.
These are tremendous train wrecks of American culture. Folks losing their ever-loving minds and dragging each other to court over the silliest stuff. Neighbors suing neighbors. Customers suing business owners. Parents even suing their own kids. Over what? Cell phone bills. Dog poop. Dry cleaning. Throw in a countersuit and things get crazy!
My wife can’t wait to turn them on when she gets home. She absolutely loves them. Okay, I admit it, I do too. So what’s the secret sauce behind the appeal of these TV court shows? Pretty simple really. Justice. We all want it. We all have a burning desire for truth to come out. For the good guy to win. For evil to be punished.
Justice in Our DNA
Where does this deep sense of right defeating wrong come from? Well, I have a sneaking suspicion there’s actually a supernatural reason behind it. When God creates each and every one of us in His image (Gen 1:26-27), He places a healthy dose of heaven in our hearts (Ecc 3:11). As part of that deposit, God inserts a powerful passion for justice deep in our DNA.
Paul mentions the idea of supernatural justice in a letter to his protege Timothy. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom” (v1). Just before giving the young pastor important instructions about what to do next, the apostle basically makes this announcement in open the open court of Heaven.
Justice in the Real World
It’s at this point that you might ask what does a First Century preacher like Paul know about justice in the real world. That’s all well and good for the squeaky clean ivory tower of religion. But, dude, it’s just won’t do it in the day-to-day. It’s just not practical. If I don’t stand up for myself right here and right now, who will?
Well, the apostle isn’t exactly writing to Timothy from the comfort of a quiet church office. Far from it. The scene is a dark, cold dungeon in Rome (2Tim 1:16; 2:9). Paul knows he won’t be there long. He’s on Death Row and the clock is ticking (2Tim 4:6-7). He fires off what will be this one last letter with a pair of purposes. One, to pass the baton of ministry to the young Ephesian minister (2Tim 2:1-4:5). Two, to beg Tim for one final visit (2Tim 4:9, 21).
The Righteous Judge
When it comes to justice, we need to realize Paul lives in a period of history where there is very little. Nero rules the Roman Empire and the rest of the known world with an iron fist. Forget good defeating evil. This is all about might makes right.
But the apostle can face whatever Caesar throws his way because of one very important truth. He may be wrongfully convicted now, but his case will eventually go before the Righteous Judge. He worships the One who makes the final ruling on everyone’s eternal fate.
Paul knows that God presides over in the highest court in the universe. More specifically, the Son of God. The One who will eventually decide the everlasting destination of every single person who has ever lived. The One who’s coming back for a jaw-dropping and not-to-be-missed encore. The One who will establish a spectacular kingdom which will be, to borrow a familiar phrase, “on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10).
All rise for Judge Jesus.
Getting Everything on the Table
The apostle has something important to tell his man Tim. So important that he wants to go on court record. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead” (v1). In doing so, he pulls out a word in the original language of the New Testament that the ESV translates as “charge” (Gr. διαμαρτθρομαι/diamarturomai) which should cause his spiritual son to pay close attention, if he’s not already.
This verb means to strongly urge, earnestly insist, emphatically warn, or forcefully command. It carries the idea of making an incredibly serious declaration on the basis of presumed personal knowledge. Other than possibly is own flesh and blood, nobody knows Tim as well as Paul. After all, the apostle calls him “my beloved child” (2Tim 1:2).
The former Pharisee needs to get some out on the table. He can’t simply assume Timothy knows what to do once Jesus calls Paul home. He makes it clear. He puts it on paper. He says what needs to be said. In this case, we see the specifics in the very next verse. He tells Tim to “preach the word” no matter when or where (2Tim 4:2). But that’s for another time.
Truth in Love
Ever have someone close to you sit you down, look you in the eye, and tell you exactly what you need to hear? Not what you WANT to hear. What you NEED to hear. There is a BIG difference. There come those critical moments when those we love need to hear critical information. While we certainly need to drench those crucial conversations in grace and love, they must contain truth.
Maybe it’s a married friend who’s gotten a little too cozy with a coworker of the opposite sex. Maybe it’s loved one who’s filling their wine glass one too many times. Maybe it’s just before your child heads off to college. In whatever situation God places you, there will come a time for a frank and honest conversation.
There’s a relationship that allows you personal knowledge of the situation and leverage to speak into it. Don’t assume. Don’t hope they know. Say it. Out loud. Or on paper. That’s exactly what Paul is doing for Timothy right here.
Jesus is Watching
In the case of this conversation, the apostle knows that he and Tim aren’t the only ones taking part. It’s all “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus” (v1). Paul makes it clear that God is watching. “In the presence” is the Greek word ενοπιον/enopion. It’s a compound term which literally means “in the sight of” or “in the eyes of.”
The apostle drops this seven different times in his two notes to Pastor Tim. Twice he uses in when talking about how others are present who are watching and listening to what’s going on (2Tim 5:20; 2:14). Every other time, Paul makes it clear that nothing is hidden from God’s all-seeing eyes (1Tim 2:3; 5:4, 21; 6:13; 2Tim 2:14).
Don’t think that Jesus missed what you just did. He saw it. No matter where you are, He’s right there. King David wrote an entire worship song about God sees everything we do and knows everything we think because He’s there wherever we go (Ps 139). To paraphrase the old saying, “Wherever you go, there HE is!” And He’s watching.
Forget Santa Claus. Christ truly does see you when you’re sleeping and knows when you’re awake. Don’t let this idea freak you out. The good news is that Judge Jesus loves you and wants His best for you. Does He me when I sin. No questions. How ‘bout when I goof up, mess up, and slip up? You betcha. But He’s also right there when I do something nice that nobody else notices…like putting down the toilet seat.
Knowing that Judge Jesus is watching leads to integrity and transparency. Integrity is living the same way all the time. There’s no reason to live one way at work, another at church, or another at home. Since Christ sees not just my actions but the heart behind them, I have the incredible freedom to live transparently. It allows me to be an open book with no hidden agenda.
Are You Ready?
Paul makes the point that Jesus is the One “who is to judge the living and the dead” (v1). Actually, a better understanding of the literal translation here is “who is ABOUT to judge” (v1 YLT, emphasis added). The Lord is ready and waiting to enter the courtroom and take a seat behind the bench. It’s imminent. We could hear the announcement to “all rise” at any moment.
As the judge, our Savior will make the call on every single eternal matter. “Judge” (Gr. κρινω/krino) means to evaluate, determine, decide, and ultimately administer justice. It describes coming to the correct conclusion based on all the evidence. At the end of the day, Jesus is the Decider. He sees everything. He knows everything. He has all the evidence. All the testimony. There’s absolutely no one better. No one more qualified.
You’re in Someone’s Seat
Okay, it’s time to put on our big boy and big girl pants. If Judge Jesus is the only one qualified, authorized, and empowered for the position of Decider, guess where that leaves you and me? Let’s put it this way, there’s only one seat behind the courtroom bench and it’s not yours. There’s only one gavel and it belongs to Someone else. Only Judge Jesus makes the call. Not you. Not me. So take off the robe and step away.
I’ll let Carey Nieuwhof take it from here. “Judgment is grounded in arrogance…Judgment always says I’m better than you, I know more than you and I’m also superior to you.” Those of us who constantly deliver verdicts on the lives of others eventually find ourselves alone. We’ve run everyone away. Let’s face it, who really wants to hang out with somebody who’s always telling you you’re wrong? Anyone? Bueller? No, I didn’t think so.
As we said earlier, this doesn’t mean we can’t be discerning. But when we do, let’s gently speak the truth wrapped in love like bacon around a filet (hmm, bacon!). We’re NOT to judge someone’s eternal destination. Only Christ is qualified to do that. Leave that to Judge Jesus.
Living or Dead…Please Check One
Paul reminds Tim that nobody gets off without their court appearance before Christ. We see that in the phrase “the living and the dead” (v1). You can lump every human being in history into one of two categories. Living. Dead. Please check one. You’re either one or the other. There are no other categories. Pretty much covers everybody who’s ever fogged a mirror.
Judge Jesus will make a decision on everyone who’s ever lived. The apostle made that clear to in one of his correspondence to the Corinthians. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2Cor 5:10). Every single person without exception has their case scheduled on the heavenly docket.
How did the resurrected Rabbi get the job as judge in the first place? Just like the President has the privilege of appointing justices to the Supreme Court, God the Father has even more authority to name His Son to the position of Righteous Judge. No Senate approval needed for this appointment! Jesus Himself says His Dad is behind it (Jn 5:22).
Paul’s good buddy Peter told folks that this is the whole reason Jesus’ followers are spreading His Good News of grace. “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42). There’s that idea of Jesus ruling over anyone who’s ever livd again. Pretty solid evidence that Paul didn’t go rogue with the idea.
A Court Date on the Calendar
So just when will the heavenly court be in session? While the apostle can’t point to a specific date and time on the calendar, he does say it will all go down at “His appearing and His kingdom” (v1). Christ will take a seat behind the bench at His Second Coming. He’s talking about Jesus’ awesome encore when He establishes His kingdom fully and finally.
Our Savior won’t just be making a quick and inconspicuous cameo. There’s something pretty spectacular behind the word “appearing” here in verse one. The original Greek term (Gr. επιφανεια/epiphaneia) means an outward show, something clear and obvious, a brightness, or a shining forth. It literally means “a shining upon” or “a dazzling brightness over.” Picture the razzle and dazzle of Times Square.
Paul only uses it to describe Jesus’ return (2Th 2:8; 1Tim 6:14; 2Tim 1:10; 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13). He should know. The risen Lord blinded the former Pharisee with His brilliance just outside Damascus (Acts 9:3-5). Don’t worry. Nobody will miss Christ’s final appearance. It will be impossible to miss. Judge Jesus will be dazzling.
Remember Judge Wapner?
TV judges and court shows come and go. Hard to believe Judge Wapner stepped down from The People’s Court in 1993. Judge Joe Brown last slammed the gavel in 2013. You can bet there will be a constant stream of new TV court cases no matter who’s wearing the black robe. That’s because we want justice. God has wired us to want good to triumph over evil. And one day, it will happen.
All rise for Judge Jesus.
Turn on TV late in the afternoon and you can’t miss them. Usually one local independent station airs every single one of them. We’re talking about court shows. The list is long. The People’s Court. Judge Judy. Judge Mathis. Divorce Court. Even something called Hot Bench, which sounds like a problem with the courtroom thermostat.
These are tremendous train wrecks of American culture. Folks losing their ever-loving minds and dragging each other to court over the silliest stuff. Neighbors suing neighbors. Customers suing business owners. Parents even suing their own kids. Over what? Cell phone bills. Dog poop. Dry cleaning. Throw in a countersuit and things get crazy!
My wife can’t wait to turn them on when she gets home. She absolutely loves them. Okay, I admit it, I do too. So what’s the secret sauce behind the appeal of these TV court shows? Pretty simple really. Justice. We all want it. We all have a burning desire for truth to come out. For the good guy to win. For evil to be punished.
Justice in Our DNA
Where does this deep sense of right defeating wrong come from? Well, I have a sneaking suspicion there’s actually a supernatural reason behind it. When God creates each and every one of us in His image (Gen 1:26-27), He places a healthy dose of heaven in our hearts (Ecc 3:11). As part of that deposit, God inserts a powerful passion for justice deep in our DNA.
Paul mentions the idea of supernatural justice in a letter to his protege Timothy. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom” (v1). Just before giving the young pastor important instructions about what to do next, the apostle basically makes this announcement in open the open court of Heaven.
Justice in the Real World
It’s at this point that you might ask what does a First Century preacher like Paul know about justice in the real world. That’s all well and good for the squeaky clean ivory tower of religion. But, dude, it’s just won’t do it in the day-to-day. It’s just not practical. If I don’t stand up for myself right here and right now, who will?
Well, the apostle isn’t exactly writing to Timothy from the comfort of a quiet church office. Far from it. The scene is a dark, cold dungeon in Rome (2Tim 1:16; 2:9). Paul knows he won’t be there long. He’s on Death Row and the clock is ticking (2Tim 4:6-7). He fires off what will be this one last letter with a pair of purposes. One, to pass the baton of ministry to the young Ephesian minister (2Tim 2:1-4:5). Two, to beg Tim for one final visit (2Tim 4:9, 21).
The Righteous Judge
When it comes to justice, we need to realize Paul lives in a period of history where there is very little. Nero rules the Roman Empire and the rest of the known world with an iron fist. Forget good defeating evil. This is all about might makes right.
But the apostle can face whatever Caesar throws his way because of one very important truth. He may be wrongfully convicted now, but his case will eventually go before the Righteous Judge. He worships the One who makes the final ruling on everyone’s eternal fate.
Paul knows that God presides over in the highest court in the universe. More specifically, the Son of God. The One who will eventually decide the everlasting destination of every single person who has ever lived. The One who’s coming back for a jaw-dropping and not-to-be-missed encore. The One who will establish a spectacular kingdom which will be, to borrow a familiar phrase, “on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10).
All rise for Judge Jesus.
Getting Everything on the Table
The apostle has something important to tell his man Tim. So important that he wants to go on court record. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead” (v1). In doing so, he pulls out a word in the original language of the New Testament that the ESV translates as “charge” (Gr. διαμαρτθρομαι/diamarturomai) which should cause his spiritual son to pay close attention, if he’s not already.
This verb means to strongly urge, earnestly insist, emphatically warn, or forcefully command. It carries the idea of making an incredibly serious declaration on the basis of presumed personal knowledge. Other than possibly is own flesh and blood, nobody knows Tim as well as Paul. After all, the apostle calls him “my beloved child” (2Tim 1:2).
The former Pharisee needs to get some out on the table. He can’t simply assume Timothy knows what to do once Jesus calls Paul home. He makes it clear. He puts it on paper. He says what needs to be said. In this case, we see the specifics in the very next verse. He tells Tim to “preach the word” no matter when or where (2Tim 4:2). But that’s for another time.
Truth in Love
Ever have someone close to you sit you down, look you in the eye, and tell you exactly what you need to hear? Not what you WANT to hear. What you NEED to hear. There is a BIG difference. There come those critical moments when those we love need to hear critical information. While we certainly need to drench those crucial conversations in grace and love, they must contain truth.
Maybe it’s a married friend who’s gotten a little too cozy with a coworker of the opposite sex. Maybe it’s loved one who’s filling their wine glass one too many times. Maybe it’s just before your child heads off to college. In whatever situation God places you, there will come a time for a frank and honest conversation.
There’s a relationship that allows you personal knowledge of the situation and leverage to speak into it. Don’t assume. Don’t hope they know. Say it. Out loud. Or on paper. That’s exactly what Paul is doing for Timothy right here.
Jesus is Watching
In the case of this conversation, the apostle knows that he and Tim aren’t the only ones taking part. It’s all “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus” (v1). Paul makes it clear that God is watching. “In the presence” is the Greek word ενοπιον/enopion. It’s a compound term which literally means “in the sight of” or “in the eyes of.”
The apostle drops this seven different times in his two notes to Pastor Tim. Twice he uses in when talking about how others are present who are watching and listening to what’s going on (2Tim 5:20; 2:14). Every other time, Paul makes it clear that nothing is hidden from God’s all-seeing eyes (1Tim 2:3; 5:4, 21; 6:13; 2Tim 2:14).
Don’t think that Jesus missed what you just did. He saw it. No matter where you are, He’s right there. King David wrote an entire worship song about God sees everything we do and knows everything we think because He’s there wherever we go (Ps 139). To paraphrase the old saying, “Wherever you go, there HE is!” And He’s watching.
Forget Santa Claus. Christ truly does see you when you’re sleeping and knows when you’re awake. Don’t let this idea freak you out. The good news is that Judge Jesus loves you and wants His best for you. Does He me when I sin. No questions. How ‘bout when I goof up, mess up, and slip up? You betcha. But He’s also right there when I do something nice that nobody else notices…like putting down the toilet seat.
Knowing that Judge Jesus is watching leads to integrity and transparency. Integrity is living the same way all the time. There’s no reason to live one way at work, another at church, or another at home. Since Christ sees not just my actions but the heart behind them, I have the incredible freedom to live transparently. It allows me to be an open book with no hidden agenda.
Are You Ready?
Paul makes the point that Jesus is the One “who is to judge the living and the dead” (v1). Actually, a better understanding of the literal translation here is “who is ABOUT to judge” (v1 YLT, emphasis added). The Lord is ready and waiting to enter the courtroom and take a seat behind the bench. It’s imminent. We could hear the announcement to “all rise” at any moment.
As the judge, our Savior will make the call on every single eternal matter. “Judge” (Gr. κρινω/krino) means to evaluate, determine, decide, and ultimately administer justice. It describes coming to the correct conclusion based on all the evidence. At the end of the day, Jesus is the Decider. He sees everything. He knows everything. He has all the evidence. All the testimony. There’s absolutely no one better. No one more qualified.
You’re in Someone’s Seat
Okay, it’s time to put on our big boy and big girl pants. If Judge Jesus is the only one qualified, authorized, and empowered for the position of Decider, guess where that leaves you and me? Let’s put it this way, there’s only one seat behind the courtroom bench and it’s not yours. There’s only one gavel and it belongs to Someone else. Only Judge Jesus makes the call. Not you. Not me. So take off the robe and step away.
I’ll let Carey Nieuwhof take it from here. “Judgment is grounded in arrogance…Judgment always says I’m better than you, I know more than you and I’m also superior to you.” Those of us who constantly deliver verdicts on the lives of others eventually find ourselves alone. We’ve run everyone away. Let’s face it, who really wants to hang out with somebody who’s always telling you you’re wrong? Anyone? Bueller? No, I didn’t think so.
As we said earlier, this doesn’t mean we can’t be discerning. But when we do, let’s gently speak the truth wrapped in love like bacon around a filet (hmm, bacon!). We’re NOT to judge someone’s eternal destination. Only Christ is qualified to do that. Leave that to Judge Jesus.
Living or Dead…Please Check One
Paul reminds Tim that nobody gets off without their court appearance before Christ. We see that in the phrase “the living and the dead” (v1). You can lump every human being in history into one of two categories. Living. Dead. Please check one. You’re either one or the other. There are no other categories. Pretty much covers everybody who’s ever fogged a mirror.
Judge Jesus will make a decision on everyone who’s ever lived. The apostle made that clear to in one of his correspondence to the Corinthians. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2Cor 5:10). Every single person without exception has their case scheduled on the heavenly docket.
How did the resurrected Rabbi get the job as judge in the first place? Just like the President has the privilege of appointing justices to the Supreme Court, God the Father has even more authority to name His Son to the position of Righteous Judge. No Senate approval needed for this appointment! Jesus Himself says His Dad is behind it (Jn 5:22).
Paul’s good buddy Peter told folks that this is the whole reason Jesus’ followers are spreading His Good News of grace. “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42). There’s that idea of Jesus ruling over anyone who’s ever livd again. Pretty solid evidence that Paul didn’t go rogue with the idea.
A Court Date on the Calendar
So just when will the heavenly court be in session? While the apostle can’t point to a specific date and time on the calendar, he does say it will all go down at “His appearing and His kingdom” (v1). Christ will take a seat behind the bench at His Second Coming. He’s talking about Jesus’ awesome encore when He establishes His kingdom fully and finally.
Our Savior won’t just be making a quick and inconspicuous cameo. There’s something pretty spectacular behind the word “appearing” here in verse one. The original Greek term (Gr. επιφανεια/epiphaneia) means an outward show, something clear and obvious, a brightness, or a shining forth. It literally means “a shining upon” or “a dazzling brightness over.” Picture the razzle and dazzle of Times Square.
Paul only uses it to describe Jesus’ return (2Th 2:8; 1Tim 6:14; 2Tim 1:10; 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13). He should know. The risen Lord blinded the former Pharisee with His brilliance just outside Damascus (Acts 9:3-5). Don’t worry. Nobody will miss Christ’s final appearance. It will be impossible to miss. Judge Jesus will be dazzling.
Remember Judge Wapner?
TV judges and court shows come and go. Hard to believe Judge Wapner stepped down from The People’s Court in 1993. Judge Joe Brown last slammed the gavel in 2013. You can bet there will be a constant stream of new TV court cases no matter who’s wearing the black robe. That’s because we want justice. God has wired us to want good to triumph over evil. And one day, it will happen.
All rise for Judge Jesus.
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