to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The charge and the two witnesses
Paul does not simply advise Timothy here; he places him under a formal charge, spoken as if in a courtroom where God and Christ Jesus are looking on. One writer sets the moment beside the day when Moses handed his commission to Joshua, his successor, in front of the whole nation.
The Christian's FriendWhen Moses was about to leave this life, God told him to give Joshua a charge in front of the whole congregation (Numbers 27:19). Now, before Paul left, he gave Timothy a charge too. But it was in the sight of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. He set Timothy in their presence, aware of it, and told him to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ... Thinking of God in this character would make him bold. Remembering Christ Jesus as a faithful witness would give him courage.
What "the commandment" covers
The word is not narrow. It covers everything Paul has laid on Timothy in this letter. Timothy keeps it by refusing every human improvement on it.
An Outline of Sound WordsThis commandment no doubt covered everything the apostle charged Timothy with in this letter. It covered all that concerns behaviour in the house of God, all he was to avoid and all he was to pursue. Timothy was to surrender nothing. He was not to stain the commandment with human tradition, with compromises, or by bringing in anything that came from the heart or mind of man.
Unstained and free from reproach
Christ's own testimony before Pilate, the Roman governor, sets the standard for Timothy's witness.
Leslie M. GrantHere was God's true Representative in the world, standing before the man who represents the world. How precious and clear His witness, though His words were few. He bore witness to the truth. His kingdom was not of this world, yet He was a real King, God's King, far above everything that only belongs to this passing age... This gives precious character to the commandment Timothy is told to keep unstained and free from reproach. There is to be no lapse, no tarnishing of this testimony that would leave him open to rebuke, because it is all in view of the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why "appearing" and not "coming"
Two different events are in view, and Paul names one of them on purpose. One writer shows that Christ's public appearing, not His coming to take His own out of the world, is what settles the question of a servant's faithfulness.
William KellyThe coming of the Lord does not display us before the world; it takes us right out of it to be with Christ... There the apostle urges his faithful fellow-worker to keep this commandment unstained and free from reproach, until — the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? No; but "the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." The coming of our Lord will not prove whether Timothy has been faithful. His appearing will prove it completely. The appearing of the Lord Jesus therefore is the right and proper word, and none other.
Not a promise that Timothy would live to see it
Some read the verse as though Paul expected Timothy to live until that day. Another writer answers that the appearing marks the finish line of responsibility, whatever happens to the servant before it.
Frederick W GrantTimothy is urged to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of Jesus Christ. This verse is often used to argue the opposite, but it in fact shows how such words are to be taken. The appearing is the goal of responsibility. Whatever fills the time between now and the end of his path here would not change the exhortation. And no one would claim the apostle meant to guarantee that Timothy would live until the appearing.
What holds a servant to it
What keeps a grip like that firm? One writer points to the faith of Christ Himself, and to the promise Timothy was told to hold on to.
J. G. BellettThe brightness of "the joy set before Him" never dimmed in the perfect faith of Jesus, even though the cross tested His hold on it to the very limit. In the same way, Timothy was to keep his grasp of eternal life, whatever else he might give up. God had set that promise before him. He would bring it out in all its promised blessing and glory at the appearing of Jesus. Timothy was to cling to it despite the whole world.
Summary
- Charged — Paul sets Timothy in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, as Moses commissioned Joshua before the whole nation.
- Entrusted — "the commandment" covers all Paul has told him about conduct in God's house. Timothy surrenders nothing and adds nothing of human origin.
- Unstained — Christ's clear witness before Pilate sets the pattern. No lapse, no stain on the testimony, nothing that leaves the servant open to rebuke.
- Until the appearing — Paul names Christ's public appearing, not His coming to take His own out of the world. Only the appearing will show how faithful a servant has been.
- Not till death, but till that day — the appearing is the goal of responsibility, not a promise that Timothy would live to see it. Hope of that day keeps his grip firm against the pull of the world.