2 Timothy 4:5
in 2 Timothy 4But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry.
KJV
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
⋯
This verse in 2 Timothy 4
Commentary
12 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
But watch thou in all things - Be vigilant against error and against sin, and faithful in the performance of duty; See the Mat 25:13 note; 1Co 16:13 note. Endure afflictions - See the notes at 2Ti 2:3. The Greek word here is the same which is there rendered “endure hardness.” Do the work of an evangelist - On the word “evangelist,” see the notes on Act 21:8. The phrase here means, “do the work of preaching the gospel,” or of one appointed to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation.
This site's exposition
with itching ears
on 2 Timothy 4:3-5
The urgency rests on a forecast, men will not tolerate sound doctrine, the healthy teaching of the Pastoral letters. Hearers with itching ears gather teachers to suit their own desires and turn aside to myths, muthoi. The appetite stays and changes its supplier.
This site's exposition
do the work of an evangelist
Paul sets Timothy against the coming drift with four charges. John Chrysostom reads them as urgent: labour now and fill people's minds before the pestilence arrives. Albert Barnes points to Acts 21:8, where Philip bears the name evangelist.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
But you be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. But you be sober in all things. Therefore, because of being sober and having been awakened, he said these things. endure hardship. Strive, Paul says, labor, anticipate …
"But watch thou in all things, endure affliction." It was for this therefore, that he foretold these things; as Christ also toward the end predicted that there should be "false Christs and false prophets"; so he too, when he was about to depart, spoke of these things. "But watch thou in all things, endure affliction"; that is, labor, preoccupy their minds before this pestilence assails them; secure the safety of the sheep before the wolves enter in, everywhere endure hardship. "Do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." Thus it was the work of an evangelist that he should endure hardship, both in himself, and from those without; "make full proof of" that is, fulfill "thy ministry."
The Medieval Church2 voices
Do you see why the apostle said first of all that he should be watchful? It is as if the apostle says: before this destruction comes, before the wolves arrive, suffer both voluntarily and against your will, in order to bring the sheep to a …
Then when he says, "but be vigilant," he proposes the need on Timothy's part, to whom the office was entrusted; hence it was necessary that he preach: first, he urges him to be solicitous; second, he exhorts him to labor; third, that he moderate his …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Watch - An earnest, constant, persevering exercise. The scripture watching, or waiting, implies steadfast faith, patient hope, labouring love, unceasing prayer; yea, the mighty exertion of all the affections of the soul that a man is capable of. In all things - Whatever you are doing, yet in that, and in all things, watch.
4 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
The reason of his concern in this case, Why must Timothy now be instant in season, &c., in a particular manner? Because the church was likely to be deprived of the apostle's labours, for his departure was at hand,
But watch thou in all things,....
This is ministers' business; a dispensation is committed to them. It is not their own notions and fancies that they are to preach, but the pure plain word of God; and they must not corrupt it, but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, they speak in Christ, 2 Cor. ii.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
But watch thou in all things - It is possible to be overtaken in a fault, to neglect one’s duty, and to lose one’s soul. Watching unto prayer prevents all these evils. Endure afflictions - Let no sufferings affright thee; nor let the dread of them either cause thee to abandon the truth, or relax in thy zeal for the salvation of men. Do the work of an evangelist - That is: Preach Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world; for this, and this alone, is doing the work of an evangelist, or preacher of the glad tidings of peace and salvation by Christ. An angel from God was first sent to do the work of an evangelist, and how did he do it? Behold, said he, I bring you good tidings of great joy; Ιδου γαρ, ευαγγελιζομαι ὑμιν χαραν μεγαλην, ἡτις εσται παντι τῳ λαῳ. Behold, I evangelize unto you great joy, which shall be to all people; to you is born a Savior. Those who do not proclaim Christ as having tasted death for every man, and who do not implicitly show that every human soul may be saved, do not perform the work of evangelists; they, God help them! limit the Holy One of Israel. Yet, as far as they preach the truth in sincerity, so far God acknowledges and blesses them and their labors; they do a part of the work, but not the whole. Make full proof of thy ministry - Push all thy principles to their utmost power of activity; carry them on to all their consequences; and try what God will do for thee, and by thee. Neglect no part of thy sacred function; perform faithfully all the duties of which it is composed; and do God’s work in his own way and in his own spirit.
The words behind it
13 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Σὺ | su | You yourself | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| δὲ | de | however | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| νῆφε | nephe | do be sober | G3525 → | |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| πᾶσιν, | pasin | all things, | G3956 → | 1235 times |
| κακοπάθησον, | kakopatheson | do endure afflictions, | G2553 → | |
| ἔργον | ergon | [the] work | G2041 → | 168 times |
| ποίησον | poieson | do perform | G4160 → | |
| εὐαγγελιστοῦ, | euangelistou | of an evangelist, | G2099 → | |
| τὴν | ten | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| διακονίαν | diakonian | ministry | G1248 → | |
| σου | sou | of you | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| πληροφόρησον.¶ | plerophoreson | do fully carry out. | G4135 → |
ΣὺYou yourself
suG4771 →2973 times
δὲhowever
deG1161 →2765 times
νῆφεdo be sober
nepheG3525 →
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
πᾶσιν,all things,
pasinG3956 →1235 times
κακοπάθησον,do endure afflictions,
kakopathesonG2553 →
ἔργον[the] work
ergonG2041 →168 times
ποίησονdo perform
poiesonG4160 →
εὐαγγελιστοῦ,of an evangelist,
euangelistouG2099 →
τὴνthe
tenG3588 →19766 times
διακονίανministry
diakonianG1248 →
σουof you
souG4771 →2973 times
πληροφόρησον.¶do fully carry out.
plerophoresonG4135 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Peter 1:13Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- Luke 12:35
Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.
- 1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.
- Hebrews 9:28
so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
- 1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and…
- 1 Peter 5:8
Through
2 Timothy 2:3Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
it leads to
- Hebrews 12:2–3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand…
- James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
- Hebrews 12:2–3
Through
2 Timothy 1:8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
it leads to
- Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.
- Romans 1:16
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies16
About 2 Timothy
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; John Chrysostom, Homily on 2 Timothy 9; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, COMMENTARY ON 2 TIMOTHY; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Timothy and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Timothy.