Eph 4:11, 2Ti 4:5 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 11. And he gave some, apostles . He gave some to be apostles. The object here is to show that he has made ample provision for the extension and edification of his church. On the meaning of the word apostles , and on their appointment by the Saviour, . And some, prophets , he appointed some to be prophets. ; ; . And some, evangelists . . Comp. . The word does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. What was the precise office of the evangelist in the primitive church it is now impossible to determine. The evangelist may have been one whose main business was preaching, and who was not particularly engaged in the government of the church. The word properly means, "a messenger of good tidings;" and Robinson (Lex.) supposes that it denotes a minister of the gospel who was not located in any place, but who travelled as a missionary to preach the gospel, and to found churches. The word is so used now by many Christians; but it cannot be proved that it is so used in the New Testament. An explanation of the words which here occur may be found in Neander on the Primitive Church, in the Biblical Repository, vol. iv. p. 268, seq. The office was distinct from that of the pastor , the teacher , and the prophet ; and was manifestly an office in which preaching was the main thing. And some, pastors . Literally, shepherds --ποιμενας. Comp. , , where it is rendered shepherd , and shepherds ; also . In , it is applied to the Lord Jesus as the great Shepherd of the flock--the church. It is rendered pastors only in the place before us. The word is given to ministers of the gospel with obvious propriety, and with great beauty. They are to exercise the same watchfulness and care over the people of their charge which a shepherd does over his flock. ; . The meaning here is, that Christ exercised a special care for his church by appointing pastors who would watch over it as a shepherd does over his flock. And teachers . . (b) "he gave some" "1Co 12:28"

Ephesians 4:11

Verse 11. And he gave some, apostles. He gave some to be apostles. The object here is to show that he has made ample provision for the extension and edification of his church. On the meaning of the word apostles, and on their appointment by the Saviour, Mt 10:1.

And some, prophets, he appointed some to be prophets. Rom 12:6; 1Cor 12:28; 1Cor 14:1.

And some, evangelists. Acts 21:8. Comp. 2Ti 4:5. The word does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. What was the precise office of the evangelist in the primitive church it is now impossible to determine. The evangelist may have been one whose main business was preaching, and who was not particularly engaged in the government of the church. The word properly means, "a messenger of good tidings;" and Robinson (Lex.) supposes that it denotes a minister of the gospel who was not located in any place, but who travelled as a missionary to preach the gospel, and to found churches. The word is so used now by many Christians; but it cannot be proved that it is so used in the New Testament. An explanation of the words which here occur may be found in Neander on the Primitive Church, in the Biblical Repository, vol. iv. p. 268, seq. The office was distinct from that of the pastor, the teacher, and the prophet; and was manifestly an office in which preaching was the main thing.

And some, pastors. Literally, shepherds--ποιμενας. Comp. Mt 9:36, 25:32, 26:31, Mk 6:34, 14:27, Lk 2:8,16,18,20, Jn 10:2, Jn 10:11,12,14,16, where it is rendered shepherd, and shepherds; also Heb 13:20, 1Pet 2:25. In Mt 26:31 Mk 6:27, Heb 13:20, 1Pet 2:25, it is applied to the Lord Jesus as the great Shepherd of the flock--the church. It is rendered pastors only in the place before us. The word is given to ministers of the gospel with obvious propriety, and with great beauty. They are to exercise the same watchfulness and care over the people of their charge which a shepherd does over his flock. Jn 21:15; Jn 21:16. The meaning here is, that Christ exercised a special care for his church by appointing pastors who would watch over it as a shepherd does over his flock.

And teachers. Rom 12:7.

(b) "he gave some" "1Co 12:28"

2 Timothy 4:5

Verse 5. But watch thou in all things. Be vigilant against error and against sin, and faithful in the performance of duty. Mt 25:13; 1Cor 16:13.

Endure afflictions. 2Ti 2:3. The Greek word here is the same which is there rendered "endure hardness."

Do the work of an evangelist. On the word evangelist, Acts 21:8. The phrase here means, do the work of preaching the gospel, or of one appointed to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation. This is the proper business of all ministers, whatever other rank they may maintain. Whether it was ever regarded as the proper duty of a separate class of men to do this, Eph 5:11.

Make full proof of thy ministry. Marg., fulfil. Comp. Rom 14:5. The word here used denotes, properly, to bear or bring fully; then to persuade fully; and then to make fully assured of, to give full proof of. The meaning here seems to be, to furnish full evidence of what is the design of the Christian ministry, and of what it is adapted to accomplish, by the faithful performance of all its duties. Timothy was so to discharge the duties of his office as to furnish a fair illustration of what the ministry could do, and thus to show the wisdom of the Saviour in its institution. This should be the aim of all the ministers of the gospel. Each one should resolve, by the blessing of God, that the ministry, in his hands, shall be allowed, by a fair trial, to show to the utmost what it is adapted to do for the welfare of mankind.

(b) "things" 2Ti 2:3 (1) "full proof" "fulfil" (c) "of thy ministry" 1Timm 4:12,15