Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: April 10, 2005
“PREACH THE WORD”
An Examination of 2 Timothy 4:1-5 -- # 6
Ben Justice
NOTE: CONTINUATION OF LAST WEEK’S ARTICLE.
The Charge Involves a Four-Fold Mission — verse 5:
Verse 5 is also included in the charge to “preach the word.” It reads, “But watch
thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy
ministry.” There are four imperatives that Timothy was to carry out in his work as a
gospel preacher. They are: (1) watch thou in all things, (2) endure afflictions, (3) do
the work of an evangelist, and (4) make full proof of thy ministry.
Note that this verse begins with the contrasting conjunction “but.” The verse is in
contrast to what was said in v. 3-4. In v. 3-4, Paul spoke of those who would not
endure sound doctrine and who would turn away their ears from the truth. In
contrast to that, what was Timothy to do? The answer is found in v. 5. In light of
the coming corruption that Timothy would have to endure, these four imperatives
were vitally important for Timothy to carry out. The sense is: Even though many
will turn away their ears from the truth and will no longer endure sound doctrine,
you keep on faithfully carrying out your charge as a preacher. Let’s look at this four-
fold mission in more detail:
1.) Watch thou in all things: “Watch” is translated from the word nepho. In its
literal sense it means, “to abstain from wine.” As Vine noted, it “is used
metaphorically of moral alertness” (Pg. 667). The original word is found only 6
times in the NT. It is translated as “sober” 4 out of the 6 times. Lenski writes that
it “denotes the clarity of mind and of sound judgment that is not blinded and
carried away by follies, fables, and morbid opinions” (R.C.H. Lenski, Commentary
on 2 Timothy, Pg. 856). Connect this with what Paul said in verses 3-4. In light
of when some would not endure sound doctrine, and in light of when some would
turn away their ears from the truth and turn to fables, it was vitally important for
Timothy to keep a clear mind. The tense is present tense, and thus, it denotes
continuous action. There is no doubt that many have been deluded by error
because they didn’t keep a clear and sober mind. Clearness of mind is something
that those described in verses 3-4 would not have.
2.) Endure afflictions: This phrase is from one Greek word — kakopatheo. It is from
kakos, meaning “evil,” and pathos, meaning “suffering.” It means “to suffer
hardship.” The word is translated as “endure hardness” in 2 Tim. 2:3, wherein
Timothy was told, “Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus
Christ.” What does this have to do with preaching the word? We must place this
against the backdrop of what Paul said in verses 3-4. When those who would not
endure sound doctrine and would turn away their ears from the truth and would be
turned unto fables, how do you think they would accept Timothy’s preaching? Every
faithful and sound gospel preacher knows that sooner or later he will have to
endure afflictions for preaching the word. Paul wrote in 2 Tim. 3:12, “Yea, and all
that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” All one has to do is read
the prophets of old and learn how they were sorely persecuted for preaching the
truth. Jesus said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and
shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding
glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you” (Matt. 5:11-12). Stephen, in Acts 7, and Paul are perfect examples of
what it means to be persecuted for preaching and teaching the truth. Timothy was
admonished to keep on carrying out his charge and to never compromise or give in
to those who do not love the truth. Unfortunately, many a preacher has left the
faith and compromised the truth because of persecution. Paul warned Timothy,
and every gospel preacher today has likewise been warned. Preachers must
remember that there is a judgment day coming in which they will answer to God
(verse 1).
3.) Do the work of an evangelist: “Evangelist” is from euangelistes. It means, “a
messenger of good” (Vine, Pg. 208). The “good” that is to be proclaimed is the
gospel of Jesus Christ. “Gospel” is actually translated from the word euangelion.
One can see the relation of this word with evangelist. “Gospel,” of course, means,
“good news.” Philip was referred to as an “evangelist” (Acts 21:8). Paul referred to
“evangelists” in Eph. 4:11. “Evangelists” are none other than preachers. In light of
those described in verses 3-4, Timothy was to keep on doing his work as an
evangelist — a gospel preacher.
4.) Make full proof of thy ministry: The expression “make full proof” is from one
word. Vincent notes that the original term would be better “fulfill, or fully perform”
(Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies In The New Testament — 2 Timothy, Vol.
IV, Pg. 322). On 2 Tim. 4:5, Thayer writes, to fulfill the ministry in every respect”
(# 4135, Pg. 517).
“Ministry” is a summary term of Timothy’s charge. “Ministry” simply means,
“service.” What was Timothy’s main area of service? The answer is found back in
verse 2 and any thing else Paul had commanded Timothy.
Preachers today would do well to study the pattern for preaching as set forth in the
NT. Sadly, many who call themselves preachers are not fulfilling their charge.
Many are lazy and lethargic. They don’t study, and it shows when they grace the
platform. Many congregations are suffering from spiritual malnourishment because
many preachers today are not carrying out the divine charge as set forth in 2 Tim.
4. [MORE NEXT WEEK]