2 Timothy 4:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Apostle learned by his own experience how difficult pastoral ministry is, how many dangers and cares there are in fulfilling it, and how much attentiveness is therefore needed toward oneself and one's flock.

For this reason he exhorts his beloved disciple to be watchful and vigilant. Child Timothy, says the Apostle, be especially vigilant in all things, amid many enemies and the vices raging in the flock.

In healing moral illnesses, the pastor, like a physician, must apply medicines that are not always pleasant, but sometimes bitter, though healing. For this reason pastors suffer great unpleasantness from those they shepherd.

Truthful reproofs offend and irritate the wounded self-love of the guilty. Therefore they do not love the pastor who reproves and is very attentive to the spiritual needs of the flock. They cause him unpleasantness and harm.

But, pastor of Christ, do not despond. Bear sorrows. You bound yourself to this by your service to Christ. He Himself, when parting from His disciples, announced to them that sorrows awaited them in the world (Jn 16:33).

Having taken upon yourself the high rank of a sacred minister, patiently bear its high duties and labors. What else is to be done? To whom much is given, much will be required.

Have you undertaken to be a lamp and an evangelist? Then perform the work of an evangelist with dignity. Fulfill your ministry with courage, without fearing rumor.

Know your work. Keep your conscience and the good of your neighbor in view. Then, whatever they may say about you, if your soul is clean, do not be disturbed by slander or human baseness.

The more purely you conduct yourself, the more rumor and sorrows will come to you from every side. Therefore be sober, pastor, like Timothy. Be vigilant in all things and attentive to all.

Saint Timothy needed to intensify his activity because he had to labor for two: for himself and for the holy Apostle, his teacher, who was already awaiting death.

Philip also was in the rank of evangelists, being one of the seven deacons. The sacred Luke says: "And entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven deacons, we stayed with him" (Acts 21:8).

From Philip's deeds we learn what the work of an evangelist is (Acts 8:5, 26, 35). Philip went out from Jerusalem and preached Christ in Samaria. He also preached on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, where he taught the Ethiopian eunuch.

In a word, he preached the Gospel in many and various cities: "Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Gospel to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea" (Acts 8:40).

This, then, is the work of an evangelist, that is, to preach the Gospel to unbelievers. Therefore, by the words "do the work of an evangelist," Paul commands Timothy nothing other than to preach the Gospel.

The words "make full proof of your ministry" mean: fulfill your episcopal office. Or, teach and live in such a way that those who hear your teaching word and see your life agreeing with your words may be assured that what you teach is true.

In the following words Paul shows him for what reason he wrote these commands to him.

Then Saint Paul says to Timothy what was set forth today in the apostolic reading. Let us explain what we heard in order.

"Be sober in all things, endure hardship." Be vigilant in all things, bear sorrows. Alertness or vigilance, constant attention to one's calling and exact fulfillment of one's duties, is necessary for every follower of Christ.

It is especially necessary for the fellow workers in the apostolic ministry, the pastors of Christ's Church. They must always preach the word of gospel truth, not neglecting opportunities for the edification of others.

Only he can always proclaim the word of God with love and zeal for the salvation of his neighbor whose spirit is sleeplessly vigilant, burning with love for God and thirsting for the salvation of neighbors.

Jesus Christ commanded His chosen disciples: Take heed, watch, and pray (Mk 13:33).

"Endure hardship." Bear sorrows. Jesus Christ, preparing His disciples for apostolic ministry, said to them: In the world you will have tribulation (Jn 16:33). By your patience possess your souls (Lk 21:19).

Saint Paul, reminding Timothy of this commandment, says: For the Lord's sake, bear with good courage all unpleasantness, grief, and offense encountered in the ministry of saving neighbors.

"Do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry." Fulfill the work of an evangelist. Carry out your ministry.

Paul speaks as though saying: Do zealously what you must do. As a fellow worker of the Apostles, and as one called to preach Christ the Savior and call men to salvation through faith in Him, fulfill your ministry.

Always be constant, firm, and unchanged in the zealous fulfillment of your duties, so that you may complete the labor of apostolic ministry to the end.

Why does the Apostle write in this way? Immediately afterward he shows the reason, namely that he will soon depart from this life.

It is as though he said to Timothy: Now you, my son, must redouble your care for the Church of Christ entrusted to you, for I am finishing my course. Therefore many cares and labors that once lay on me are now passing to you.

As watchman of the house of God, the pastor must always be sober and vigilant. This is his first duty and the first mark of good pastoral care.

"Endure hardship," κακοπαθησον. Take up every painful labor, neither sparing nor pitying yourself, whenever the good order of the flock and the benefit of those pastured require it.

This does not specifically mean suffering and persecution for the faith. Rather, it denies every kind of ease and imposes readiness for every sort of work for the good of the flock, and for doing it without delay.

This must be done despite any weight it brings, and despite the sensitivity of our weakness. Included here are much vigil and prayer for the flock with fasting, the preaching of the word, and visiting the flock for instruction and correction.

It also includes the firm introduction and support of saving order, despite all obstacles and resistance.

"Do the work of an evangelist." Do the work means: complete and bring to its end the work of an evangelist of salvation laid upon you. You received it, began it, and are carrying it on. Carry it on to the end.

This is the instruction: do not let zeal go out. Kindle it again and again, driving yourself to reach successfully the intended end.

"Bring to completion what you began, and sow them with the Gospel while they are still sound" (Oecumenius).

"Make full proof of your ministry," πληροφορησον, means satisfy it, fulfill it satisfactorily. Let your conscience, and all who know you, say that for your part you have done everything.

Let all your strength, both of soul and body, be spent on the work of ministry. Let no task be omitted, no effort postponed, and no precaution left unattended.

Wherever you needed to be, you were there. If speaking was required, you did not keep silent. If action was required, you did not withdraw from the work.

With respect to preaching, one part of the ministry, Theodoret writes: "Whether they listen or do not listen, you teach. In this way you will accomplish the work proper to the ministry."

What is said of this should also be applied to every other part. Ambrosiaster defines it generally: "The Apostle exhorts and persuades him to watch over church discipline, to act courageously, and to interpret Scripture.

Then the flock, becoming trained and wise through this, will be able easily to avoid the deceit of empty myths."