Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 42

Paul Tells Timothy to Preach the Truth of the Word of God Part 1

2 Timothy 4:1-2 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. KJV

We see that in the previous Chapter the Apostle Paul wrote to Brother Timothy declaring, discussing, and detailing to him what the godliness in the last days would be here on the earth and Paul considered that the last days had already begun after the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ back to Heaven (Hebrews 1:2). Also in that previous Chapter he declared to Timothy and also to everyone of us who are truly born again believers that every word of Scripture is breathed out by God through the many men He chose Himself to write His Bible, therefore, it follows that the very next thing Paul would write to Brother Timothy would be to Preach only the Word of God and nothing else. Paul begins with these words in verse 1, "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;" (2 Timothy 4:1) (KJV). The English word 'charge' is translated by the Greek word diamarturomai which means to attest or protest earnestly, testify (unto), witness. In other words, Paul wants to express to Brother Timothy with complete seriousness that he do what he commands of him in the very next verse, 'preach the word'. Also this declaration or charge to Timothy, Paul makes before God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ in the Power of the Holy Spirit. When Paul writes that our Lord Jesus Christ shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom, he means that He (Christ) at the death of every human being is their only and final judge as to whether or not they truly trusted Him and were born again by God the Holy Spirit and made a new creature in Him (Acts 10:42 & 1 Peter 4:5). The English word 'quick' is translated by the Greek word zaō meaning simply to live or the living as Paul uses it here and those who are alive at the time of His second (2nd) coming to the earth. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning this charge to Brother Timothy, "In view of the fact that all, whether preachers or hearers, must give up their account to the final Judge, Paul charges Timothy to be faithful; and what is there which will more conduce to fidelity in the discharge of duty, than the thought that we must soon give up a solemn account of the manner in which we have performed it?"

So, Paul now gets to the very thing he wants Timothy to do and he says it like this, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2) (KJV). The English word 'preach' is translated by the Greek word kērussō meaning to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the Gospel): - proclaim, publish. The little English phrase 'be instant' is translated by the Greek word ephistēmi meaning to be ready and to take a stand and to stick to it. The little English phrase 'in season' is translated by the Greek word eukairōs meaning at an opportune time or convenient time. The little English phrase 'out of season' is translated by the Greek word akairōs meaning at an inopportune time or an inconvenient time. In other words, Paul wants Timothy and we true believers of every era and time to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ at all times, places, and occassions contiually. Here is what John Wesley had to say concerning this preaching of the Word of God, "Insist on, urge these things in season, out of season - That is, continually, at all times and places. It might be translated, with and without opportunity - Not only when a fair occasion is given: even when there is none, one must be made." The English word 'reprove' is translated by the Greek word elegchō meaning to confute, that is prove to be false, admonish: - convict, convince, reprove. In other words, Paul wants Timothy and we true Christians today and of every era and time to confute the false teachers and prove that what they declare is a lie by declaring the truth of the Word of God. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about reproving, "Reprove errors, and men for their errors and heresies; make use of convincing arguments taken out of the Scriptures, which are profitable for reproof of this kind; and which reproof sometimes is to be given with sharpness, as the case requires, that men may be sound in the faith." The English word 'rebuke' is translated by the Greek word epitimaō which means to tax upon, that is, censure or admonish; by implication forbid: - (straitly) charge, rebuke. Our Lord Jesus had this to say about a brother sinning against us, "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother trespasses against you, rebuke him. And if he repents, forgive him. And if he trespasses against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turns again to you, saying, I repent, you shall forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4) (Modern King James Version). Likewise Paul had already written this to Brother Timothy in his first letter concerning rebuking a sinning brother, "Do not receive an accusation against an elder except before two or three witnesses. Those who sin, rebuke before all, so that the rest also may fear." (1 Timothy 5:19-20) (Modern King James Version).

The English word 'exhort' is translated by the Greek word parakaleō which means to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): - beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, give exhortation, intreat, pray. In other words, encourage by inspiration and cheering them on into the truth of the Word of God and away from the error and lies taught by false teachers. This Paul tells Timothy and us today and of every era and time to do with all 'longsuffering' and this English word is translated by the Greek word makrothumia meaning forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude: - longsuffering, patience. The English word 'doctrine' is translated by the Greek word didachē meaning instruction (the act or the matter): - doctrine, hath been taught. In other words, be patiently instructing everyone who would have ears to hear the truth of the Word of God declared by Paul and all the other Apostles and Prophets of old. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning Timothy's and our charge from God, "He must direct, encourage, and quicken those who began well. 'Exhort them (persuade them to hold on, and endure to the end) and this with all long-suffering and doctrine.' He must do it very patiently: With all long-suffering. 'If thou do not see the effect of thy labours presently, yet do not therefore give up the cause; be not weary of speaking to them.' While God shows to them all long-suffering, let ministers exhort with all long-suffering. He must do it rationally, not with passion, but with doctrine, that is, 'In order to the reducing of them to good practices, instill into them good principles. Teach them the truth as it is in Jesus, reduce them to a firm belief of it, and this will be a means both to reclaim them from evil and to bring them to good."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…