1 Timothy 5:21
I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. (NIV)
1. Some Trinitarians try to force this verse to “prove” the Trinity by what is known as the Granville Sharp Rule of Greek grammar. We have shown that this is not a valid proof of the Trinity (see Ephesians 5:5, “The Granville Sharp Rule”).
2. It is important to read the Bible thoroughly to find keys that help with the interpretation of a verse in question. In this case, we find that it was common in the biblical culture to charge someone “in the sight of God” (see note # 2 on 2 Timothy 4:1). Given that fact, and given that Paul definitely charges Timothy by both God and Jesus Christ in 1 Timothy 6:13, there is no reason to remove God from this verse by making the word “God” a second reference to Jesus Christ.
3. This verse has an element that is very hard to explain if the Trinity is true, and makes perfect sense if it is not. Paul charges Timothy by God, by Christ and by “the elect angels.” This fits beautifully with what we teach; i.e., that there is the one God, and there is the man Jesus who has been made “Lord and Christ,” but there is no “person” called “the Holy Spirit.” If there were a Trinity composed of three co-equal, co-eternal “persons,” why would Paul charge Timothy by the “elect angels” and leave the “Holy Spirit” out of the picture?
Back to the list of “Verses Used to Support the Doctrine of the Trinity”