2 Timothy

4:1-5

2. Paul's charge to Timothy, 2:1-4:5

v] The final charge - do the work of an evangelist

In this passage Paul encourages Timothy to make the truth of the gospel known in the face of "hardship", and particularly in the face of the temptation to develop a popular ministry of the Word.

Paul now concludes his exhortations related to Christian ministry. The passage takes a strong hortatory tone with the use of nine imperatives. "Paul's charge to Timothy is given in the presence of God and Christ and with special reference to Christ's return, kingdom and judgeship, v1. The particular activity with which Timothy is charged is set forth in v2: preaching, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting. Paul commands that these be done constantly and with wisdom. They are to be done not only because the message and human need call for such activity, but also because of the deteriorating situation in which hearers will seek out a message more in tune with their own likes, v3-4. Paul also speaks to Timothy in more general but also more personal terms about what he must be, do, and endure to fulfill this ministry, v5", Knight.

enwpion "in the presence of [God]" - before. In the sight of God.

tou mellontoV (mellw) pres. part."who will" - the one being about [to judge]. The participle functions as a substantive.

krinein (krinw) pres. inf. "judge" - to judge. The infinitive is complementary, completing the verbal sense of the participle "being about", best translated as a simple durative future verb, "will judge", as NIV. Christ is the judge and he will undertake this role at his return, dealing with those who are alive at the time and those who have already died.

zwntaV (zaw) pres. part. "the living [and the dead]" - living [and dead]. Although this participle is anarthrous (without an article) it functions as a substantive, as does the adjective "dead".

kai thn epiqaneian autou kai thn basileian autou "in view of his appearing and his kingdom" - and the appearing of him and the kingdom of him. The grammatical form here is an accusative substantive of oaths where Paul has made his "charge" by, in respect to, Christ's appearing and kingdom. "I adjure you by his coming appearance and his reign", Knight. See Wallace.

diamarturomai mid. "I give [you] this charge" - I solemnly charge/declare. Although middle, the voice is present (ie. a deponent verb). The word gives the charge an emphatic sense, ie. what follows is an apostolic commission. "I adjure you", Cassirer.

khuxon (khrussw) imp. "preach [the word]" - proclaim. "Herald", "proclaim forcefully", is the first of five imperatives that make up the "charge". It sets the dominant theme of the charge as evidenced by the qualifying phrase "with great patience ......." "Preach Biblical truth, proclaim the gospel ....."

episthqi (efisthmi) imp. "be prepared" - be ready, on hand, at it, at one's task.

eukairwV akairwV "in season and out of season" - Qualifying adverbs of the verb "be prepared." "Keep at it when the time is right, but also when it's not right." The "not right time" is when Biblical preaching is not appreciated, possibly due to the congregation having drifted from genuine faith, cf. v3.

elegxon (elecw) aor. imp. "correct" - rebuke, reprove. Used elsewhere of reproving one who sins.

epitimhson (epitimaw) imp. "rebuke" - censure. Expose and stop sin.

parakaleson (parakalew) imp. "encourage" - urge, exhort. The sense of "appeal to" picks up on the "preach" theme.

en pash/ makroqumia/ "with great patience" - with all long-suffering. This prepositional phrase qualifies the preaching. It is to be done with persistence and forbearance.

didach/ (h) "careful instruction" - [all] teaching. Full instruction.

gar "for" - Expressing cause/reason. The reason for the charge is now stated, namely, the propensity of believers to fall away from the faith and so desire preaching that reflects their non-standing in Christ.

kairoV "time" - The period referred to in v2 which is unfavorable, "out of season".

oJte "when men" - when. Here, the temporal particle also takes on the task of a relative pronoun, "when they" = those who have drifted from the faith.

ouk anexontai (anecomai) fut. "will not put up with [sound doctrine]" - they will not bear, endure, forbear. Here in the sense of "will not willingly listen to."

uJgiainoushV didaskaliaV "sound doctrine" - healthy teaching. Teaching that is in accord with the gospel, cf. 1Tim.1:10-11.

alla "instead" - but, and. Here adversative, heralding a contrast.

episwreusousin (episwreuw) fut. "they will gather around them" - will accumulate, heap up. They will gather to themselves, accumulate, teachers that will not disturb their own weakened faith.

kata + acc. "to suit" - according to.

taV idiaV epiqumiaV eJautoiV "their own desires" - their own lusts of themselves. They determine who will teach them on the basis of the teaching being acceptable to them.

knhqomenoi (knhqw) pas. part. "what their itching [ears want to hear]" - tickling [the ear], feeling an itching [ear], having itching [ears]. The participle is adjectival, limiting "teachers", "teachers who will tickle the ear." The phrase takes a figurative meaning: having a curiosity that looks for interesting bits of information found in the message of the false teachers, BAGD. eg. a series of sermons on sex delivered at the evening youth service!!

men ...... de "-" - This construction produces a contrast, "on the one hand they will turn .......... but on the other hand, they will turn aside to myths"

apostreyousin (apostrefw) fut. "they will turn [their ears] away" - turn away. They will not listen.

thV alhqeiaV (a) "the truth" - Paul gives us a third descriptive of the Christian message, "the word", "sound doctrine" and now "the truth", information that is absolute.

ektraphsontai (ektrepw) fut. pas. "turn aside" - will be turned aside, changed.

touV muqouV (oV) "myths" - Although the word means "myths" or "fables", Paul is probably using it in a figurative sense to debunk the heresy of the false teachers. The false teaching is most likely a form of Jewish Christian nomism that promotes sanctification by obedience. See notes 2 Timothy 3:10-17, v13, "the imposters." "They will wonder down the byways of sanctification by obedience".

su de "but you" - you but. The adversative "but" and the emphatic "you", contrasts Timothy with those who are unwilling to address Biblical truth. The contrast is established with a list of four imperatives.

nhfe (nhfw) pres. imp. "keep your head" - be sober. Literally meaning "don't be drunk", but here with a figurative meaning "be well-balanced, self-controlled", BAGD. The present tense is durative indicating an ongoing control in the many different situations that Timothy will face. "Unlike the false teachers and their disciples, you must continue to maintain a well-balanced ministry."

en pasin "in all situations" - in all things. The preposition is possibly local, but temporal seems more likely; "on all occasions and under all circumstances", Knight.

poihson (poiew) aor. imp. "do [the work of an evangelist]" - The "evangelist" or "missionary" is a particular ministry, distinct from the "pastor/teacher" role that Timothy is now performing. It is possible that Paul is encouraging Timothy to move beyond his present ministry, even though he is not really a gifted evangelist. Timothy can at least do the work of an evangelist; a worthy exhortation for all believers.

plhroforhson (plhroforew) aor. imp. "discharge all the duties" - fully carry out. A summary imperative. Timothy must work at all the duties of his ministry, particularly those listed.

2 Timothy Introduction

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