2 Timothy 4:5
What does 2 Timothy 4:5 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 4:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 4:5 means
Timothy must keep a clear head, refuse panic, and face suffering as part of his calling. The gospel worker is an evangelist—someone who keeps proclaiming the good news even when it brings hardship. “Fulfil thy ministry” means completing the task God gave, not quitting when results seem slow or opposition rises. The minister’s steadiness, not immediate success, measures faithfulness. By combining sobriety, endurance, evangelism, and completion, Paul gives Timothy a robust profile: alert to danger without being alarmist, willing to suffer without bitterness, focused on the lost, and resolved to finish the course assigned by God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But be self-controlled in all things, do without comfort, go on preaching the good news, completing the work which has been given you to do.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And thou--watch in all things; suffer evil; do the work of one proclaiming good news; of thy ministration make full assurance,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But thou, be sober in all things, bear evils, do [the] work of an evangelist, fill up the full measure of thy ministry.
Context
After warning of the coming appetite for myths (vv. 3–4), Paul turns to Timothy’s posture. Verse 5 serves as a hinge: Timothy must not be shaped by the crowd’s desires but by his commission. This personal exhortation prepares for Paul’s own example in verses 6–8, where he models finishing the race and anticipating Christ’s reward. The shift from command to testimony strengthens Timothy’s resolve—Paul is not asking anything he himself has not embraced, even as he faces suffering and the end of his earthly ministry.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 56:9
All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6
so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.
- Romans 15:19
in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ;
- 1 Timothy 4:15
Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.
- 2 Timothy 3:10
But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,
- Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.
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