The Use of the Aorist Imperative in the Pastoral Epistles 85 of “be strengthened” while using an aorist for the others? Certainly both passing on Paul’s instruction and suffering could be viewed as continuous acts and should not be viewed as one-time events. Also, it is hard to see why the latter two verbs should be more stressed than the first one (if, as some scholars argue, the aorist imperative places a sense of urgency on the action)50. Finally, from the perspective of verbal aspect theory, it is difficult to understand why the imperative in verse 1 would be foregrounded while those in verses 2 and 3 would not be. In 2,15, Paul uses an aorist imperative coupled with an aorist infinitive to urge Timothy to present himself as “one approved” before God. In 2,19 Paul quotes the Old Testament to argue that every one naming the name of the Lord should turn away from sin, using the 3rd person aorist imperative ἀποστήτω. In between those two verses, in 2,16, Paul uses a present imperative to tell Timothy to avoid inappropriate conversations. Once again context does not indicate why Paul used an aorist for the first but a present for the second (the third usage may simply depend on the quotation). From the traditional perspective, why would presenting oneself as “one approved” not be portrayed with an iterative force while the concept of turning away from sin would be? Both seem equally likely to possess an iterative force (and, likewise, it is difficult to see why the former would be considered an “urgent” command in contrast with the latter). From the perspective of verbal aspect theory, once again it is difficult to understand why the imperative in 2,16 should be foregrounded while those in 2,15 and 2,19 would not be. Second Timothy 4,2 and 4,5 presents a unique situation. All five imperatives in 4,2 are aorist while 4,5 begins with a present but continues on with three aorists. In 4,2, Timothy is to preach, be present in all circumstances (ESV “be ready in season and out of season”), rebuke, order, and encourage. In 4,5, Timothy is to be sober, suffer, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill his ministry. Of all those imperatives only the command to be sober is in the present tense. Mounce argues, “The shift to the linear aspect of the present tense here is appropriate for a general admonition”51. Mounce also suggests that the five aorists in 4,2 provide “a serious tone appropriate for the pronouncement”52. Hendriksen and Kistemaker characterize the imperatives in 4,2 as “brisk,” but do not comment on the tense change 50 Mounce, Pastoral Epistles 506, argues that the second verb, being aorist, is “signify- ing the need to find faithful men” but he does not seem to attach any significance to the tense change. 51 Ibid., 576. 52 Ibid., 572-573.