“2 Timothy 4:2”

Monday, July 31, 2017

2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”

IMMEDIATE CONTEXT: 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

The context can easily extend forward and backward as Paul stresses the need to be true to the word in preaching throughout the book. The reward for those who fight the good fight of faith is in view of the apostle as he looks forward to the return of Christ and gaining the crown of righteousness. To shy away from what is “righteous” is to shy away from such a crown which the Lord will give. God drew the defining line of right and wrong in His word. Timothy must, therefore, be true to preaching it when it is welcomed and when it is not. There are no other means by which God will save a man apart from the written word. He has chosen the method of preaching to save (Lk. 9:60; 1 Cor. 1:21; Rom. 10:14ff; Col. 1:28; Acts 5:20; etc.).

Because Timothy is charged to “preach it,” we can necessarily infer that the word is available and understandable. Because people can turn from the truth further underscores that it can be understood and that men retain free-will to veer from it. Because Timothy must endure afflictions in the work of an evangelist, it further implies that men will not only reject the truth that is preached but that they can become hostile in opposing it.

Let us value the word of God and give it the respect it deserves. Let’s not only demand that it is preached but also respectfully heed it as it is preached.

--Steven J. Wallace

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