2 Tim 4:2-4 – A Charge to Us All (Pt. 1)
2 Timothy 4:2-42 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (ESV)
A time has been reached in our society. A time that is not news to anyone who knows God. A time which has been gathering for a long time. A time to spereate your views of societal norms from those of God’s norms. We, as followers of the one true God, are called to be servants, to “preach the word”, and to be heralds of his God-breathed Scripture.
This session I will focus on 2 Timothy 4:2.
The charge presented in 2 Timothy 4:2 is spelled out in five imperative verbs.
“Preach the word” – This refers back to “Scripture” (2 Tim 3:16) and thus includes proclaiming the “good news” of the gospel in a broad, biblically anchored sense. “Gospel” for Paul is not only an evangelistic presentation; the gospel is the core message (2 Tim 3:16) which can be applied to unbelievers (a call to faith) or to believers (a call to continue to believe in and live out the implications of this message). Thus, the way to preach the gospel is by expounding the Scriptures. The word used here for preach is the greek word kérussó which means to be a herald, proclaim. To be a herald does not always mean to be standing on a soap box screaming the word at passers by. It DOES mean that your very being and actions should be signs of your savior. Your actions, interactions, and inactions should be based in scripture and therefore based in God’s will.
“be ready in season and out of season” – When it is convenient and when it is inconvenient. Whether you feel like it or not. Whether you will be looked down upon by others or not. This is not a competition for popularity. If everyone loves everthing you say, then you are saying the wrongs things.
“Reprove, rebuke, and exhort” – This means the communicating of all that Scripture includes—doctrine, instruction, correction, and encouragement. Not just the warm and fuzzies. Not just the properity by giving. Not just the fire and brimstone. All of it should be taught, and in concert. If your message or idea is out of line with one part of scripture, then it is out of line with all of scripture.
“Patience” – This is the reminder that patience is encouraged in all teaching. You will not convert everyone. You will not make everyone happy. You will not receive constant atta-boys from the people. You will receive all you need from the Lord to persevere. He will be your source of energy and stamina.
These verbs together are not a simple task. Some people will say “This doesn’t apply to me, I’m not a preacher.” You are wrong. We are all to share the message of of God’s divine salvation through the attoning blood of Jesus Christ. If you love and honor the Lord your God and Savior, then all the things that seem so hard to obey in scripture have a way of becoming more natural to you. You must strive to remove your mind, reasoning, and understanding from the worldly realm, and shift it into God’s realm.
Romans 12:22 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
