I do fully testify (YLT)
I give you this charge (NIV)
I solemnly appeal (ISV)
I charge thee (ASV)
I solemnly implore you (Weymouth)
I solemnly call on you (GWT)
I strongly urge (ALT)
I give you orders (BBE)
I adjure you (Moffatt)
Before God and Jesus Christ I give you a command (ICB)

Solemnly charge (1263) (diamarturomai from diá = intensifies meaning conveying idea of "thoroughly" + martúromai = witness, bear witness) means to bear witness, testify earnestly or repeatedly, to charge as it if before witnesses (here God and Christ Jesus), to exhort earnestly and with authority in matters of extraordinary importance (here the integrity of the message proclaimed). It carries the idea of giving a forceful order or directive

Diamarturomai is found 15 times in the NT (Luke; Acts 9x; 1 Thessalonians; 1 Timothy; 2 Timothy 2x; Hebrews) and is translated in  KJV as - charge, 3; testify, 11; witness, 1. In the is is translated - solemnly charge, 3; solemnly testified, 2; solemnly testifies, 1; solemnly testifying, 3; solemnly to testify, 1; solemnly warned, 1; solemnly witnessed, 1; testified, 1; testify solemnly, 1; warn, 1. There are 25 uses in the (Exod. 18:20; 19:10, 21; 21:29; Deut. 4:26; 8:19; 30:19; 31:28; 32:46; 1 Sam. 8:9; 2 Ki. 17:13, 15; 2 Chr. 24:19; Neh. 9:26, 34; 13:21; Ps. 50:7; 81:8; Jer. 6:10; 32:10, 44; Ezek. 16:2; 20:4; Zech. 3:6; Mal. 2:14)

Luke 16:28 for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.'

Acts 2:40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!"

Acts 8:25 And so, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

Acts 10:42 "And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.

Acts 18:5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

Acts 20:21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ...23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24 "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 23:11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also."

Acts 28:23 And when they had set a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

1Thessalonians 4:6 (note) and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.

1 Timothy 5:21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.

2 Timothy 2:14 (note) Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

2 Timothy 4:1 (note) I solemnly 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:

Hebrews 2:6 (note) But one has testified somewhere, saying, "What is man, that Thou rememberest him? Or the son of man, that Thou art concerned about him?

Paul is laying a mandate upon Timothy that must be obeyed, as if Paul were the commanding general and Timothy his chief officer of battle operations. In using this verb Paul is seeking Timothy's undivided attention to the matter at hand. Paul had used diamarturomai  two times prior to admonish Timothy

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality  (1Ti 5:21).

Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.  (see note 2 Timothy 2:14).(cf 1Ti 6:13).

The first NT use of diamarturomai is found in the teaching on Lazarus and the rich man who both end up in Hades (Sheol), except that the rich man is on the hot side and so he pleads with Abraham

I beg you, Father (Abraham), that you send him (Lazarus) to my father's house-- for I have five brothers-- that he may warn (diamarturomai ) them, lest they also come to this place of torment. (Lu 16:27 28)

What a picture diamarturomai  presents of the serious nature of Paul's charge to Timothy.

One of most concentrated uses of diamarturomai in Scripture is found in Paul's admonition laden farewell speech to the Ephesian elders where Paul reminds them that he has been

solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ... (Acts 20:21)

Paul also related that

the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me...I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, (cf note 2 Timothy 4:7) and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus (cf note 2 Timothy 4:5), to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:21 23 24)

It therefore behooves all saints to seriously consider the accounting that we will shortly give to Jesus Christ of the stewardship entrusted to each of us.

Paul elaborates on this truth in (1Cor 4:5)

Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

In all your Christian work always check your motives (cf Ps 139:23, Ps 90:12)

As an aside, any good Jew familiar with the Septuagint (as Timothy must have been) would recognize Paul's verb diamarturomai  (in the Lxx or Septuagint, the Greek of the Hebrew OT) from the solemn warning by Moses to Israel:

I call heaven and earth to witness against (diamarturomai) you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants. (Dt 30:19)

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge notes that this was

A most solemn method of adjuration, in use among all the nations in the world; God and man being called upon to bear testimony to the truth of what was spoken, that if there was any flaw or insincerity it might be detected, and if any crime, it might not go unpunished.

In 2 Timothy 4:1 God and the Son of Man are called upon to bear witness!

The IVP Bible background commentary adds that

An oath sworn by a deity or deities was considered especially binding and dangerous to break; in the same way, a charge witnessed by a deity or deities was sacred and inviolable. A broken oath would be avenged by the god whose name was violated; for Jewish people and Christians, the ultimate judgment was in the coming day of the Lord.

Considering all this background (which Timothy was surely cognizant of), we can rest assured that Timothy's ears, heart and mind were fully focused on the commands that followed.

Do I have a similar sense of reverential awe of God and the Judge Who is standing right at the door (Js 5:9), regarding my stewardship and accountability for the treasure entrusted to me? (cf notes 2 Timothy 1:13;  1:14)

The solemnity of this charge should encourage us to do our work carefully and faithfully and also deliver us from the fear of man (Pr 29:25); for, in the final analysis, Christ Jesus is the only Judge that matters. Finally, the realization that God will one day judge our works (1Cor 3:13) should motivate and encourage us to keep going even when we face (out of season) difficulties (Gal 6:9, 1Cor 15:58, see notes Hebrews 12:3;  12:4;). We are serving Him, not ourselves.

Lord please give us eyes like Paul and a heart like David, that we might appreciate the solemnity of each moment of life and of each choice to obey the Spirit or the flesh. Guide us so that this is not done out of legalism or by our might or our power but by Thy grace and Thy Spirit, O Great Jehovah. Amen.

IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND OF CHRIST JESUS: enopion tou theou kai Christou Iesou:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus - Would it be that this would be our watch word our lodestone or warp and our woof.

Ge 6:8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

Ge 16:13 Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "Thou art a God who sees"; for she said, "Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?" (See study El Roi: God Who Sees)

Deut 11:11 "But the land into which you are about to cross to possess it, a land of hills and valleys, drinks water from the rain of heaven, 12 a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the end of the year.

Ps 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness,

Spurgeon: For this is a greater wonder than hosts and horses, a surer confidence than chariots or shields. The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him. That eye of peculiar care is their glory and defence. None can take them at unawares, for the celestial watcher foresees the designs of their enemies, and provides against them. They who fear God need not fear anything else; let them fix their eye of faith on him, and his eye of love will always rest upon them. Upon them that hope in his mercy. This one would think to be a small evidence of grace, and yet it is a valid one. Humble hope shall have its share as well as courageous faith. Say, my soul, is not this an encouragement to thee? Dost thou not hope in the mercy of God in Christ Jesus? Then the Father's eye is as much upon thee as upon the elder born of the family. These gentle words, like soft bread, are meant for babes in grace, who need infant's food.

Ps 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.

Spurgeon: The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous. He observes them with approval and tender consideration; they are so dear to him that he cannot take his eyes off them; he watches each one of them as carefully and intently as if there were only that one creature in the universe. His ears are open unto their cry. His eyes and ears are thus both turned by the Lord towards his saints; his whole mind is occupied about them: if slighted by all others they are not neglected by him. Their cry he hears at once, even as a mother is sure to hear her sick babe; the cry may be broken, plaintive, unhappy, feeble, unbelieving, yet the Father's quick ear catches each note of lament or appeal, and he is not slow to answer his children's voice.

Ps 113:5 Who is like the LORD our God, Who is enthroned on high, 6 Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth?

Ps 139:2 Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. 3 Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, And art intimately acquainted with all my ways.

Job 34:21 "For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps.

Job 31:4 "Does He not see my ways, And number all my steps?

Pr 5:21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.

Pr 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.

Jer 16:17 "For My eyes are on all their (Israel's) ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity concealed from My eyes.

Jer 23:24 "Can a man hide himself in hiding places, So I do not see him?" declares the LORD. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the LORD.

Zech 4:10 "For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel-- these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth."

Heb 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

1 Peter 3:12 "FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE UPON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL."

All service should be carried out with the realization that it is watched by God’s all-seeing eye. It would do us all good to occasionally reflect on the fact that one day we will face God and our works will be judged.

Presence (1799) (enopion from en = in + ops = face, eye, countenance) and so literally meaning in the face of, in front of, before or in the presence (sight) of and used primarily by Luke, Paul and John (in the Revelation). It is as if Paul is summoning his young protégé into the very presence of God the Father and the glorified Son of God to receive this solemn charge. Face to face with the Holy One of Israel! The Greek construction also allows the rendering “in the presence of God, even Christ Jesus.” The Father and Son are linked together in a grammatical form that emphasizes their equality.

MacArthur adds that interesting note that

The phrase in the presence of parallels a common format used in Roman courts and legal documents and would have been familiar to Timothy and others of that day. A typical summons might have begun: “The case will be drawn up against you in the court at Hierapolis, in the presence of the honorable judge Festus, chief magistrate.”

WHO IS TO JUDGE: tou mellontos (PAPMSG) krinein (PAPMSG): (Torrey's Topic Judgment of God, Easton's Judgment, The final)  (Ps 50:6; 96:13; 98:9; Mt 16:27; 25:31-46; Jn 5:22-23 24 25 26-27 Acts 10:42; Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16; 14:9-11; 1Co 4:4;4:5 2Co 5:9;10 2Th1:7;1:8 1:9 1:10 1Pe 4:5; Rev 20:11 12 13 14-15)

Who is about to (present tense = pictures this judgment as continually coming) judge (impending judgment pictured by Darby's translation)

Is (3195) (mello) means to be about to do something, so this phrase in Greek is most literally rendered is about to be judging suggesting the idea of immanency, or that Christ is about to judge momentarily, which gives another reason for Paul’s solemn charge to Timothy.

Judge (2919) (krino) means to separate or pick out. Jesus said

For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son (Jn 5:21)

The following distinct judgments will be presided over by Christ Jesus the Lord:

(1) The judgment of believers at the Bema seat or Judgment seat not for the purpose of judging sin but determining rewards.

Paul writes

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (not kakos = evil like the Textus Receptus but phaulos = worthless, of no account, impossibility of any true gain ever coming forth from) (2Cor 5:10) (cf notes Romans 14:10; 14:11, 1Cor 3:10 11 12 13 14, 15).

(2) The judgment of the nations referred to as the judgment of the sheep (believers) and the goats (unbelievers) at the end of the Great Tribulation (Mt 24:21), separating believers from unbelievers, only the former being allowed to enter into the Millennial Kingdom. (Mt 25:31-46).

(3)Jews alive at the end of the great tribulation will also be judged apparently at this same time to determine which Jews will go into the Messianic Kingdom (cf Ezek 20:33-41). (Click for in depth tabular and pictorial exposition of Daniel's Seventieth Week which includes a discussion of this end time judgment)

(4) The Great White Throne judgment of unbelievers, which is the final judgment following the 1000 year reign of Christ and immediately preceding "a New Heaven and a New earth" (See notes Revelation 20:11, 20:12, 20:13, 20:14, , 20:15, 21:1; 21:2). (Click for timeline and chart that includes this end time judgment)

See Chart A Brief Synopsis of End Time Judgments on this site

THE LIVING AND THE DEAD: zontas (PAPMPA) kai nekrous:

Living (2198) (zao) refers to natural physical life in opposition to death. In the NT zao refers to supernatural, spiritual life in those who have been born again.

Dead (3498) (nekros from nékus = a corpse; English - necropsy, necrophobia, etc) describes literally one who has breathed their last and figuratively (the more common NT use) speaks of the spiritual condition of unsaved men, spiritually dead to God because of sin.

Some favor this phrase as referring to those believers who are alive at the return of Jesus as well as those who have already died (John MacArthur for example takes this approach). This phrase however could refer to the spiritually dead (whether physically alive or dead) for as Paul wrote to the Ephesians we all "were dead in our transgressions" until God "made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)" (Ep 2:4, cf 2:1, Col 2:13, Jn 5:25, 27, Rev 20:12, 13)

Jesus said

Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life (the living), those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment (the dead). I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (Jn 5:28 29 30)

AND BY HIS APPEARING: kai ten epiphaneian autou: (8; Col 3:4; 1Th 4:15;16 1Ti 6:14; Titus 2:13; Heb 9:27-28;1Pe 1:7;1:13 5:4; 1Jn 2:28; Rev1:7)

See related topics:

Table comparing the Rapture to the Second Coming
Imminency, Imminent

Appearing (2015) (epiphaneia from epi = upon + phaino = to shine; Click study of verb epiphaino) ; English = epiphany =  the manifestation of a supernatural or divine reality or any moment of great or sudden revelation)  literally means to shine upon and so describes that a manifestation or appearance. This word was often used by the Greeks of a glorious manifestation of the gods, and especially of their advent to help. In the NT it is used only of the appearing of Christ.

Thayer notes that epiphaneia is used in the NT of...

the `advent' of Christ -- not only that which has already taken place and by which his presence and power appear in the saving light he has shed upon mankind (see note