2 Timothy 4:5 - Exposition

Be thou sober for watch thou, A.V.; suffer hardship for endure afflictions, A.V.; fulfil for make full proof of, A.V. Be thou sober ( νῆφε ); as 1 Thessalonians 5:6 , 1 Thessalonians 5:8 ; 1 Peter 1:13 ; 1 Peter 4:7 ; 1 Peter 5:8 . The adjective νηφάλιος occurs in 1 Timothy 3:2 (where see note), 11; Titus 2:2 . Here "Be sober in all things" clearly does not refer to literal sobriety, which Timothy was in little danger of transgressing (l Timothy 5:23), but comprehends clearness, calmness, steadiness, and moderation in all things. Suffer hardship ( κακοπάθησον ); as 2 Timothy 2:3 (T.R.) and 9. An evangelist ( εὐαγγελιστοῦ ); one whose business it is to preach the gospel, according to Matthew 11:5 . The verb εὐαγγελίζειν , "to preach the gospel," and αὐαγγέλιον , "the gospel," are of very frequent use in the New Testament. But εὐαγγελιστής , an evangelist. occurs elsewhere only in Acts 21:8 and Ephesians 4:11 . Fulfil thy ministry. This is rather a weak rendering of the Greek πληροφόρησον ,, adopted also in the R.V. of Luke 1:1 . The verb occurs elsewhere in Luke 1:1 ; Romans 4:21 ; Romans 14:5 , and Romans 14:17 of this chapter. The phrase is metaphorical, but it is uncertain whether the metaphor is that of a ship borne along by full sails, or of full measure given. If the former is the metaphor, then the derived meaning, when applied to persons, is that of full persuasion, entire and implicit faith, which carries men forward in a bold and unwavering course; or, when applied to things, that of being undoubtedly believed. But if the metaphor is taken from "bringing full measure;" then the sense in the passive voice when applied to persons will be "to be fully satisfied," i.e. to have full assurance, and, when applied to things, "to be fully believed" (Liddell and Scott). Applying the last metaphor to the passage before us, the sense will be "discharge thy ministry to the fall." Let there be no stint of ministerial labour, but carry it out in its completeness, and to the end.