2 Timothy 4:5

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. BUT ... THOU - in contrast to the false teachers (2 Timothy 3:10). I am no longer on the spot to withstand these things: be thou a worthy successor, no longer depending on me for counsel, but swimming without the corks (Calvin). WATCH, [ neefe (G3525)] - 'with the wakefulness of one sober IN ALL THINGS - on all occasions and under all circumstances (Titus 2:7). EVANGELIST - a missionary bishop or preacher subordinate to the apostles ...

5_But watch thou in all things_. He proceeds with the former exhortation, to the effect that the more grievous the diseases are, the more earnestly Timothy may labor to cure them; and that the nearer dangers are at hand, the more diligently he may keep watch. And because the ministers of Christ, when they faithfully discharge their office, are immediately called to engage in combats, he at the same time reminds Timothy to be firm and immovable in enduring adversity. (196) _Do the work of an Evangelist _That is, “Do that which belongs to an evangelist.” Whether he denotes generally by this term any ministers of the gospel, or whether this was a special office, is doubtful; but I am more inclined to the second opinion, because from Ephesians 4:11 it is clearly evident that this was an intermediate class between apostles and pastors, so that

1-5 People will turn away from the truth, they will grow weary of the plain gospel of Christ, they will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them. People do so when they will not endure that preaching which is searching, plain, and to the purpose. Those who love souls must be ever watchful, must venture and bear all the painful effects of their faithfulness, and take all opportunities of making known the pure gospel....

Verse 5. _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 Saviour_.

BUT WATCH THOU IN ALL THINGS - Be vigilant against error and against sin, and faithful in the performance of duty; See the Matthew 25:13 note; 1 Corinthians 16:13 note. ENDURE AFFLICTIONS - See the notes at 2 Timothy 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 Acts 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 is the

EXPOSITION 2 TIMOTHY 4:1 _In the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus _for _therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, _A.V. and T.R.; _and by _for _at, _A.V. and T.R. I CHARGE THEE (διαμαρτύρομαι); as 2 Timothy 2:14 and 1 Timothy 5:21 (where see note). The words οὖν ἐγώ, wanting in some of the best manuscripts, are "rejected by Griesbach, Tischendorf, Lachmann," and by Huther, Alford, Ellicott, and others. The chapter opens rather abruptly without the connecting "therefore." AND BY HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM. The reading of the T.R., κατὰ τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν κ.τ.λ.., "at his appearing and kingdom," makes suc

BUT WATCH THOU IN ALL THINGS,.... Relating to himself, his doctrine, and conversation; and to others, to feed the flock of God under his care, to know the state of them, and care for them; to give the time of night, and notice of approaching danger, and see the laws of Christ put in execution; either in allusion to shepherds, who watch over their flocks night and day; or to watchmen that are upon the walls of cities, or go about them; or to the priests and Levites in the temple: ENDURE AFFLICTIONS; the Alexandrian copy adds, "as a good soldier of Jesus Christ", as in 2 Timothy 2:3 meaning reproaches and persecutions for the sake of the Gospel, from without, and all trials and exercises from within, through the infirmities and ill conduct of the saints themselves; all which are to be endured patiently, cheerfully, and courageously; so as not to be moved by them to desist f

2 Timothy 3:1. _This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sin, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth._ This is the photograph of the present age, and I do not doubt that Paul spoke of it when thus the spirit of prophecy was upon him. This is the very motto of the present age, «Ever learning, and never able to come to the

IV. THE LAST WORDS OF THE APOSTLE CHAPTER 4 _ 1. The last charge (2 Timothy 4:1)_ 2. His last testimony (2 Timothy 4:6) 3. The last personal messages (2 Timothy 4:9) 2 Timothy 4:1 This last chapter is a most impressive one. It is the farewell of this great man of God. joy and sorrow, confidence and love breathe in his final charge and message. “The sorrow that he might have in his soul was only for those he was leaving, and even that is almost swallowed up in the joyful consciousness of the thought with whom he was leaving them.” And so he delivers one more charge, and that solemnly before

(_c_) 2 TIMOTHY 4:1. TIMOTHY'S DUTY IN THE CRISIS. Threatened with such opposition (2 Timothy 3:1) and strengthened by such safeguards (2 Timothy 3:10), Timothy must persistently teach the _positive truth._ He should be ready to reprove error and proclaim the gospel, whether the occasion seem propitious or not (2 Timothy 4:2). For Church members as well as false teachers will cause trouble. Anxious for novelty and piling up congenial instructors, they will turn to the familiar myths of the errorists (1 Timothy 1:3 *). Timothy, on t