2 Timothy 4:5
Read 2 Timothy 4:5 Using Other Translations
What does 2 Timothy 4:5 mean?
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 from the
work of the ministry:
do the work of an evangelist;
which may design either an officer, then in the church, distinct
from apostles and prophets on the one hand, and pastors and
teachers on the other; and was below the former, and above the
latter; and was aiding and assisting to the apostles, and such an
one Timothy may be thought to be: or it may intend a preacher of
the Gospel in common; and to do the work of such an one is not to
read lectures of morality, or to preach up justification and
salvation by the works of the law; or to mix law and Gospel
together, and confound them both; but to preach peace, pardon,
righteousness, life, and salvation alone by Jesus Christ, and
through the free grace of God:
make full proof of thy ministry:
the work of the ministry, which lies in preaching the Gospel, and
administering ordinances, and doing all the duties belonging to
it, which is to fulfil it, or discharge it; and which gives full
proof of a man's being a true and faithful minister of the word;
particularly when he diligently and constantly attends to his
work; seeks not his own things, but the things of Christ;
cheerfully and patiently suffers for Christ and his Gospel, and
lives an agreeable life and conversation.
