What was Paul thinking of when he reminded Timothy of Christ’s good confession before Pilate?

In 1 Timothy 6:5–19 Paul warns about the danger of greed for money. In 1 Timothy 6:11 Timothy is called to flee that danger and, instead of seeking a luxurious life here and now, to hold on to eternal life by fighting the good fight of faith. In that context, Paul reminds him of Christ who made the good confession before Pilate. What does this mean?

Please read carefully through the arguments and counterarguments.

Interpretation 1: Christ's confession that he bears witness to the truth

Summary: Paul was thinking of Christ's statement that he had come as a king into the world to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37).

Arguments in favour of this view:

1. In Revelation 1:5, John also presents Jesus Christ as the faithful witness and the ruler of kings on earth.

2.  This confession actually typified his life. He was not there to defend himself, but to confess the truth.

3.  Paul reminds Timothy of this confession of Christ after he had first written about people who are deprived of the truth (1 Timothy 6:5).

Arguments against this view:

The above arguments do not explain why Paul refers to these words of Christ in the context of 1 Timothy 6:5–19. Truth in itself is a general word, and the question can be asked: what truth is meant? The truth of which Christ spoke to Pilate is comprehensive, if not all-encompassing. But Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:1–21 about one specific subject: greed for money, materialism.

Interpretation 2: Christ's confession that he is the Christ

Summary: Christ let Pilate know that he is the Christ, the long-awaited king for the Jews.

Arguments in favour of this view:

Indeed, this confession is found in all four Gospels.

Arguments against this view:

Again, this statement does not make clear how this rather broad testimony of Christ could have helped Timothy in his specific confrontation with materialists in his day.

Interpretation 3: Christ's confession that Pilate would not have any power over him unless it had been given by God

Summary: Paul was thinking of John 19:7-11 where Christ calmly confesses, in the face of a threatening Pilate, that Pilate would have no power over him unless it had been given to him from above, by God in heaven.

Arguments in favour of this view:

Timothy has to fight against people who are materialistic and greedy for money. That is part of the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 6:12). That may frighten him. However—as Christ did before Pilate—let him continue to trust that no one can do anything to him if God does not allow it.

Arguments against this view:

Paul is not warning against harm or danger that people may want to bring upon Timothy. Instead, he warns against a danger with which people, also in the church, can cause themselves much suffering (1 Timothy 6:10).

Interpretation 4: Christ's act of willingly being prepared to die for God's people

Summary: Paul was not thinking of specific words of Christ when he stood before Pilate, but of his act of willingly being prepared to die in order to save God’s people. Likewise, Timothy needs to be willing to be faithful to his heavenly Lord, if needed even to the point of death (John Calvin).

Arguments in favour of this view:

Didn’t Christ radiate throughout his confrontation with Pilate that he was ready to accept death on the cross?

Arguments against this view:

This interpretation looks at 1 Timothy 6:12–17 in isolation, detached from the broader context in which Paul is not preparing Timothy for increased hostility, but warns against seeking security here on earth in uncertain riches (1 Timothy 6:17).

Interpretation 5: Christ's confession that his kingdom is not of this world

Summary: Paul reminds Timothy of Christ’s confession before Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world (John 1:36) (Matthew Henry).

Arguments in favour of this view:

A reference to this confession of Christ before Pilate fits best with Paul’s line of thought. Timothy is called to put the focus of his life somewhere other than in seeking money and possessions. He should pursue very different matters: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11). In other words: seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33, after verses Matthew 6:25–32)! Life is eternally secure only with that priority. Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, and therefore we must not seek our life’s security in this world either. Anyone who seeks to take hold of eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:19) should not seek to build a kingdom in the present world, based on uncertain treasures (1 Timothy 6:17).