In last week’s passage, Paul gave a very dark description of the false teachers and those who prefer their teachings. In these two verses, Paul continues his critique and then compares that to how Timothy is to handle himself, giving four positive descriptions for Timothy to follow.

Take a look at this week’s passage in 2 Timothy 4:4-5:

In the previous verse, Paul gave a description of those who turn away from the truth and seek to justify their own actions and lifestyles. It is a very sad depiction, and looks very familiar today.

These people have turned away from seeking healthy teaching and sound doctrine. They have turned away from seeking the truth. They no longer want to hear the message of the cross with it’s power.

Paul says that there will be those who still teach the truth, but there will be few who want to hear it. Instead they have turned aside to myths and false teachings. Paul refers to these myths again in Titus 1:14. This was probably some form of Jewish Gnosticism, possibly including some variety of witchcraft. Whatever the case, it was not good.

After giving a dark description of such people, Paul follows that with a very small but important word: “but.” Timothy is to conduct himself differently. Timothy is to be on the other end of the spectrum. In comparison to those who turn away from the truth, Timothy is to be a beacon of light shining into the darkness.

Paul gives Timothy four instructions.

Keep your head in all situations

Paul tells Timothy here to be sober, to do nothing that would dull his thinking, to keep his head. There could be a couple of different ways that this could be understood. First, Timothy may face the temptation to teach people what they want to hear rather than the truth. This would place him in a very popular position with a lot of people, but would result in wandering from the faith, just like the false teachers.

Second, Paul may mean that Timothy should watch his priorities. Doing battle with the false teachers may not be the best use of his time, since they often do not want to be faced with the truth. This would result in a lot of wasted time debating a topic that neither side is willing to budge on. Such battles are necessary occasionally, but often are not. Timothy’s time has a lot of demands upon it already, and he must use it wisely. Either way, he needs to keep his wits about him. This is a variation of the same word Paul used in 1 Timothy 3:2.

Endure hardship

This is a concept that Paul has introduced often throughout this brief letter. It is found in 2 Timothy 1:8, 2:3, 3:10-11, and 3:12. Timothy must be ready and willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel if necessary. Very often, living the Christian life, serving God and others, will cost something. This is not something that comes unexpected. As we serve Christ, we know that hardships will come. Our role is to endure without complaining or regret.

Do the work of an evangelist

Paul began his charge to Timothy in this chapter with the command “Preach the Word” (verse 2). The word for evangelist here is used on a few other times in the New Testament, in Ephesians 4:11 and Acts 21:8. The idea presented in the New Testament portraying an evangelist is one who preaches the Gospel. This could be someone like Paul or Philip, who travel around, planting churches. Or it could refer to others, like Timothy and Titus, who serve in established congregations.

This idea conveys more than just the simple duty of every Christian to share the Gospel. This means more specifically, that role in the church of the foremost Gospel presenter, the one who shares this message, carrying the duties and weight of a specific “office” or role.

Paul’s inclusion of this instruction in this list might indicate that he fully believed that continual presentation of the truth of the Gospel would prevent people from turning away to the false teachers and their ways. That principle still holds true today. Continual and careful presentation of the truth has more power on its own than you or I can present with any special programs or events or anything else. God’s Word is mighty enough to change lives, with or without our help.

Discharge all the duties of your ministry

Paul encourages Timothy here to carry out what God has called him to do completely. The idea of discharging or fulfilling his duties doesn’t really give the full impact of Paul’s words here. God has given Timothy a specific role to fill in Ephesus. His ministry may not be like that of other’s in his era, but it would be exactly what God deemed necessary.

Timothy’s role is to obey and do what God led him to do. While this isn’t implicit in the text here, the principle is true that where God leads, he sustains. In other words, what God called Timothy to do, or you and I to accomplish, he will provide the resources and means necessary to complete. It may, and probably will, require some effort, or hardship, or time, or finances, or commitment, on our part. But God will give us what we need to see our job through to completion.

Paul’s final instruction here carries the authoritative ring of “Don’t give up!”

While some of these imperatives are specific to the role of the evangelist, the principles apply to each of us. God has called us to serve. That may require something significant from us, but we are to obey, and do so fully.

The result may include lives changed, or churches growing. But certainly, the truth will be presented and God will be honored.

Question: How do you feel that these four instructions apply to you, specifically? You can leave a comment by clicking here.