Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 45

Paul Tells Timothy to Preach the Truth of the Word of God Part 4

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. KJV

Now, finally, Paul writes to Timothy (and to we true born again believers now and of every era and time) to do and to be true followers of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ with these words, "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." (2 Timothy 4:5) (KJV). First, Paul tells him to 'watch' in all things and this English word is translated by the Greek word nēphō which means (as used here) (figuratively) to be discreet: - be sober, watch. In other words, Paul wants to see Brother Timothy and all of us who truly love and follow our Lord Jesus Christ to guard what we listen to that portrays, poses, or presents itself as teaching or preaching from the Bible or the Word of God. In contrast to those who have turned away from hearing the truth and turned aside to listen to fables, we are to hunger and thirst for the truth of Scripture and take our counsel from it over anything that man has spoken or written. Why? Because man is fallible, that is, will fail and make errors and is at all times lacking in moral strength, but God and His Holy Word is completely infallible, that is, incapable of failure or error.

The Word of God will do for the soul of men that which cannot be done by any words from men, just as Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers with these words, "And for this cause we thank God without ceasing, that when you received the Word of hearing, of God, you welcomed it as the Word of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also effectually works in you who believe." (1 Thessalonians 2:13) (Modern King James Version). Note: "Just like the sober man (free from intoxicating alcohol) is more able to see clearly and think clearly, so must we believers be sober spiritually in order that we may be able to discern the false teaching from the true teaching of the Word of God. This is why I believe that all Scripture should be studied and taught from Genesis to Revelation and not hard and difficult passages of Scripture completely ignorged and passed over all together." Here is what John Wesley had to say about what it means to watch for a Christian, "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."

Next, Paul writes that he (Timothy) and we must 'endure afflictions' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word kakopatheō which means to undergo hardship: - be afflicted, endure afflictions (hardness), suffer trouble. Why must this be the case for the faithful man or woman of our Lord Jesus Christ? It is because the enemy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the devil) hates the truth because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44), so it serves his purpose to cause as much pain and suffering in the life of every true son and daughter of Christ Jesus our Lord who stands for and teaches the truth of the Word of God. Note: "We are not to be frightened by the attacks from the devil to the point where it causes us to abandon the truth of the Gospel and of the entire Word of God, for if we do so then we prove ourselves to be one of those Paul spoke of earlier who turn aside from  the truth to listen to fables." Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about enduring afflictions, "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."

When Paul writes to Timothy, 'do the work of an evangelist', he means that he should declare the fact and reality of our Lord Jesus Christ death, burial, and resurrection from the dead for the sins of the world to every human being on the earth and that faith in Him (Jesus Christ) is the only remedy for man's sin and the only way to heaven. Timothy at that time might have been assigned a specific title in the Church at Ephesus of Evangelist and this may also be what Paul is referring to here. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about Paul instructing Timothy to 'do the work of an Evangelist', "The office of the Evangelist was, as the Apostles' deputies, to water the Churches that they planted. They were not settled Pastors, but for some time resided in, and presided over, the Churches that the Apostles had planted, till they were settled under a standing ministry. This was Timothy's work." Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about this same thing, "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 proper business of all ministers, whatever other rank they may maintain. Whether it was ever regarded as the proper duty of a separate class of men to do this."

When Paul writes to Timothy, 'make full proof of thy ministry', he means that he should leave nothing undone that our Lord Jesus Christ had commanded him to do and so is the very same charge to every redeemed son and daughter of Jesus Christ our Lord and that is, to finish the work which he has called each one of us to do, for me it is to write Commentary/Bible Study through His entire Word beginning with the New Testament for me and then going through the Old Testament. The little English phrase 'make full proof ' is translated by the Greek word plērophoreō meaning (as used here) to carry out fully (in evidence), that is, completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about making 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."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…