2 Timothy Verse by Verse

2 Timothy 4:1-5 | Make Full Proof of Thy Ministry

• Verse 1 --

  • Paul brings a charge to Timothy that is based on verses 16-17 (thus the word therefore).

    • Though the charge is to Timothy, it is a charge based on the inspiration of the Scriptures and their sufficiency to make the man of God (2 Tim. 3:17) to be throughly furnished (v. 17).

      
      

  • Paul stands (figuratively) before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ in giving this charge.

    • This is a way of emphasizing the importance of the instruction.

    • Paul refers to Jesus Christ as the One who will judge the quick and the dead. The word quick“living."

      
      

  • This judgment will take place at his appearing and his kingdom.

    • This is the Second Coming, the only coming in which Christ will appear.

    • Note that the wording places the beginning of his kingdom to coincide with his appearing.

      
      

• Verse 2 --

  • Paul gives five commands for the man of God (2 Tim. 3:17) as it relates to the proclamation of the Word of God -

    • Preach the word - The word κηρύσσω [kerusso] focuses on the proclamation of the word (λόγος [logos]). One would teach/explain the scriptures and proclaim the word (that is, the logos is the meaning of the graphe).

    • Be instant - The word instant is translated from ἐφίστημι [ephistami], a word implying that one should take your stand. This should be done in season, out of season.

    • Reprove - The English word means to accuse someone or charge or convict them.

    • Rebuke - The word is similar to reprove, and literally means to "stand upon honor."

    • Exhortπαρακαλέω [parakaleo], come alongside with longsuffering and doctrine.

      
      

• Verse 3 --

  • Paul emphasizes the urgency of the matter. He speaks of the timeκαιρός [kairos], translated season in verse 2) in which they will not endure sound doctrine.

  • Who is they? It could be unknown recipients of the preaching, which would be a somewhat natural reading. But it could also be the preachers themselves, which is built on the man of God (2 Tim. 2:17).

    • Arguments they are the recipients of the preaching:

      • It is the most natural reading of the text.

      • It is plural, and the man of God is singular in grammar.

      • Since the exhortation is with doctrine (v. 2), it seems those who are the recipients of this exhortation would be the ones who will not endure sound doctrine.

        
        

    • Arguments that they are the men of God doing the preaching:

      • If they are the recipients of the preaching, why isn't it made clear?

      • If they are the quick and the dead (v. 1), how can the dead abandon sound doctrine?

      • The immediate reference for the pronoun, as well as the context, is men of God.

        
        

    • In the end, this is a pronoun that can go either way.

      • Since we normally read in a general sense, we would gain further insight by taking a more minority view. In that view, this passage tells us that men of God will come into short supply, the preachers themselves not enduring sound doctrine.

      • Furthermore, rather than fulfilling Paul's instruction to study to shew thyself approved (2 Tim. 2:15), they will simply heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears“church" filled with preachers who do not study but simply scour the internet for something to preach and ideas on how to lead the church.

        
        

• Verse 4 --

  • Further word about this group called they is that they reject truth while accepting fables. As anyone who rightly divides the Word knows, the acceptance of fables is currently rampant in the pulpit and among the teachers of future ministers.

  • Consider these commonly held fables:

    • The Kingdom of God is the church or the Christian life.

    • Humanitarianism is missions.

    • Sanctification is a process rather than a gift of God.

    • All people of all dispensations have always been saved the same way.

    • “people of God," the church.

    • The church is the bride of Christ.

      
      

• Verse 5 --

  • Timothy (and by implication, every man of God) is instructed to watch...in all things. The word watch is νήφω [nepho] and is not an eyesight word but a temperance word, encouraging a sober perspective.

  • Furthermore, Timothy is to endure afflictions. He had given a similar instruction in 2 Timothy 2:3 and given his example in 2 Timothy 2:9.

  • Timothy is also to do the work of an evangelist. Spreading the good news is mostly work which the preacher is supposed to do.

  • Finally, Timothy is to make full proof of thy ministry. The phrase make full proofπληροφορέω [plerophoreo], which is literally to fully carry. It is an instruction to never give up.