Pastors must be strengthened by…a supernatural work of God through the Spirit. It’s experienced—not just affirmed—and the experience comes from outside as we meditate on the reality of grace—“remember Jesus Christ risen from the dead” (2 Timothy 2:8).

In 2 Timothy, Paul gives Timothy more than 30 imperatives to guide his ministry to the church at Ephesus—highlighting just how comprehensive the work of pastoral ministry truly is. An overview of some of these imperatives demonstrates this:

• Share in suffering for the gospel (1:8; 2:3; 2:5)
• Guard the good deposit entrusted to you (1:14)
• Entrust what you’ve heard to faithful men (2:2)
• Think over what I say (2:7)
• Remind them of these things (2:14)
• Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved (2:15)
• Avoid irreverent babble (2:16)
• Depart from iniquity (2:19)
• Flee youthful passions (2:22)
• Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace (2:22)
• Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies (2:23)
• Continue in what you have learned (3:14)
• Preach the word (4:2)
• Be ready in season and out of season (4:2)
• Reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and teaching (4:2)
• Be sober-minded (4:5)
• Endure suffering (4:5)
• Do the work of an evangelist (4:5)
• Fulfill your ministry (4:5)

Faithful oversight of the church—seeking to model these imperatives—is hard, good, and all-encompassing work. Paul’s commands cover the task (guard, think, entrust, preach, evangelize), promote endurance (share in suffering, be ready in season and out of season, continue in what you have learned, fulfill your ministry), instruct discipleship (remind, reprove, rebuke, exhort), and requires integrity (present yourself approved, flee youthful lusts, pursue righteousness, be sober-minded, avoid irreverent babble, and have nothing to do with foolish controversies).

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