Verse 5
In view of this increasing opposition Timothy needed to keep alert (cool-headed, "wide awake" [Note: E.K. Simpson, The Pastoral Epistles, p. 154.] ) by avoiding false teaching. To do this he needed to maintain self-control under all circumstances. [Note: Earle, "2 Timothy," p. 411.] He needed to endure hardship willingly and to continue proclaiming the gospel to the lost. He would thereby carry out the ministry God had entrusted to him completely. Four more imperatives appear in this verse (cf. 2 Timothy 4:2): be, endure, do, and fulfill.
"Thus with the words of the solemn charge in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Paul in effect brings to a conclusion his words of instruction regarding Timothy’s duties as a minister of Christ. This charge gathers up the concerns expressed throughout the letter and crystallizes them in nine memorable imperatives that begin with ’preach the word’ and end with ’fulfill your ministry.’ With these imperatives Paul calls on Timothy to proclaim and apply God’s word with much patience and careful instruction, to be clearheaded in every situation, to bear whatever difficulties such a ministry may involve him in, to evangelize, and to do whatever is necessary to accomplish the ministry to which Christ has called him." [Note: Knight, p. 458.]
| Job or Ministry? [Note: Anonymous.] |
| A job is one you choose; |
| A ministry is one Christ chooses for you. |
| A job depends on your abilities; |
| A ministry depends on your availability to God. |
| In a job you expect to receive; |
| In a ministry you expect to give. |
| A job done well brings you self-esteem; |
| A ministry done well brings honor to Jesus Christ. |
| In a job you give something to get something; |
| In a ministry you return something that has already been given to you. |
| A job well done has temporal remuneration; |
| A ministry well done brings eternal rewards. |
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