II Timothy 4:5
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
I am no longer here to withstand these things; be thou a worthy successor of me, no longer depending on me for counsel, but thine own master, and swimming without the corks [CALVIN]; follow my steps, inherit their result, and the honor of their end [ALFORD]. watch thou--literally, "with the wakefulness of one sober." in all things--on all occasions and under all circumstances (Tit 2:7). endure affliction--suffer hardships [ALFORD]. evangelist--a missionary bishop preacher, and teacher. make full proof of--fulfil in all its requirements, leaving nothing undone (Act 12:25; Rom 15:19; Col 4:17).
Open source ↗4:5-8 Paul effectively hands the mantle of leadership to Timothy (cp. Deut 31:7-8; 34:9; 2 Kgs 2:1-18). 4:5 This final charge summarizes what has been said before (1:6-14; 2:1-15, 24-26; 3:12).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.
So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
Wake up and strengthen what remains, which was about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God.