The context of these references in Peter's epistle, is the "end of all things", "the

revelation of Jesus Christ", and the presence of an adversary who, like a roaring lion,

seeks his prey. It is a word with such contexts that Paul used when he called upon

Timothy to "be sober". The context of II Tim. 4: 5, has the coming of the Lord, or

"His appearing and Kingdom" in view, and the atmosphere is thick with danger and the

attack of adversaries, both fleshly and spiritual.

Timothy was exhorted to "watch in all things", this would include "prayer" as

I Pet. 4: 7, it would include the special precautions in view of the activity of the

"adversary" (I Pet. 5: 8), and as the word "to the end" of I Pet. 1: 13 is actually in the

Greek teleios "perfectly", so Paul exhorted Timothy by means of his own example to

maintain that same vigilance "to the end", saying "I have finished (teleo) my course"

(II Tim. 4: 7), and just as Peter in the context of his last reference, speaks of:

so Paul in his exhortation to Timothy speaks of "a crown of righteousness" which the

Lord would give to all who love His appearing.

The exhortation to watchfulness, is associated with another exhortation, "endure

affliction" kakopatheo, a word which we have met before in this epistle.

The three occurrences of this word in Paul's writings, are limited to this second epistle

(II Tim. 2: 3, 9 and 4: 5) to which must be added sugkakopatheo "to endure affliction

together" (II Tim. 1: 8), where it is specifically associated with the testimony of the

Lord's prisoner, and the gospel entrusted to him.

While no servant of the Lord is exempt from his share in the common afflictions of

humanity, and the groan of creation, the afflictions which Paul has in mind here, are

evidently those extra trials which come to the believer as a consequence of his association

with the rejected message of Paul the prisoner of Jesus Christ.

This apostle of "grace", is also the apostle of "work". There are but four occurrences

of ergon "work" in Peter's epistles, and but five in the three epistles of John, but Paul

uses ergon over eighty times in his epistles.

In view of the approbation of the Lord, the apostle uses the title "workman" in

II Tim. 2: 15, ergates, a word translated "labourer" in I Tim. 5: 18.

Paul had used the title "the man of God", when he spoke of the equipping power of

the Scriptures: