2 Timothy 4:5-8 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

But watch thou Both over thyself and flock, and withstand the beginnings of all these corruptions; let thy mind be awake and watchful; in all things Whatever thou art doing, let this be thy earnest, constant, persevering exercise. Observe, reader, the Scripture watching or waiting implies steadfast faith, patient hope, labouring love, unceasing prayer; yea, the mighty exertion of all the affections of the soul that a man is capable of: endure afflictions Or adversity, as κακοπαθησον signifies. Expect ill- treatment from the enemies of the gospel, and other trials, and bear them patiently. Do the work of an evangelist Which was next to that of an apostle. Make full proof of thy ministry So perform all the duties of thy calling, as fully to approve thyself to be a faithful minister of Christ. For, &c. And the rather do these things, considering how soon the world will lose whatever advantage it may now receive from my personal labours. For I am now ready to be offered Or poured out, as σπενδομαι means, as a libation upon God's altar. See on Philippians 2:17. And the time of my departure is at hand So undoubtedly God had shown him. I have fought a, rather the, good fight Greek, τον αγωνα τον καλον ηγωνισμαι, I have contended the good contention; or, as Macknight renders it, I have combated the good combat. I have finished my course Of duty and of suffering: or, I have finished the race; for he likens his labour in the gospel not only to fighting and wrestling, but also to a race, which was likewise one of the Olympic exercises. I have kept the faith Committed to my trust, and with the strictest fidelity have endeavoured to preserve it free from all additions and corruptions. Henceforth Λοιπον, what remains; there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness Namely, of that righteousness which God has imputed to me, and wrought in me, and enabled me to practise. Having compared his labours as an apostle to the exertions of the combatants, wrestlers, and racers, in the Grecian games, he represents his reward under the idea of a crown, because a crown was the reward bestowed on the victors in those exercises. It was not, however, a crown of leaves like theirs, but of righteousness, which he expected Christ to bestow on him, counting his faith to him for righteousness, and rewarding him for all the fruits brought forth by this righteousness. See on Philippians 1:11. Which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day This text evidently proves, that the great and most glorious reward of faithful Christians is referred to the day of general judgment. But, as Doddridge observes, “it would be very precarious to argue from hence, that there shall be no prelibation and anticipation of this happiness in a separate state. And when the many texts, which have been so often urged in proof of that intermediate happiness, are considered, it is surprising that any stress should be laid on the objection which has been drawn from such passages as this.” And not to me only This increases the joy of Paul, and encourages Timothy; but to all that love his appearing Which only a true Christian can do. Many of those Paul himself had gained, and he rejoiced to think, that through his having gained them, they should receive an unutterable and eternal reward of felicity and glory.