2 Timothy 4:1

Διαμαρτύρομαι : See on 1 Timothy 5:21. As the adjuration follows immediately on warnings against a moral degeneration which had already set in and would increase, it is appropriate that it should contain a solemn assurance of judgment to come.

Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, τοῦ μέλλοντος κρίνειν : This was a prominent topic in St. Paul's preaching (Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5). κρῖναι is the tense used in the Creeds, as in 1 Peter 4:5. (Tisch. R.V.). See apparat. crit.

ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς : To be understood literally. See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν : per adventum ipsius (Vulg.). The acc. is that of the thing by which a person adjures, as in the case of ὁρκίζω (Mark 5:7; Acts 19:13; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:27). The use of διαμαρτύρομαι with an acc. in Deuteronomy 4:26; Deuteronomy 31:28, is different, διαμαρτ. ὑμῖν σήμερον τόν τε οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν. “I call heaven and earth to witness against you.” Heaven and earth can be conceived as personalities, cf. Psalms 50:4; not so the appearance or kingdom of Christ. On ἐπιφάνεια see note on 1 Timothy 6:14.

βασιλείαν : The perfected kingdom, the manifestation of which will follow the second ἐπιφάνεια.