May 23, 2020
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” II Timothy 4:2
Paul is speaking the charge on Timothy’s life, PREACH the WORD! Do nothing more and nothing less. Stay true to the Word of God and don’t speculate or water it down. Always be ready to preach the Word. Study and meditate on God’s Word to prepare yourself to be ready.
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15
“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” I Peter 3:15
There has always been a temptation to humanize God’s Word and make it more palatable to our ears. We have a God who is loving and gracious but He is also strict and a disciplinarian. Therefore we can’t add or take away anything from God’s Word.
Paul was realizing his ministry was drawing to an end and he wanted to make sure that Timothy would carry on the work of the Gospel with the same vigor and tenacity that Paul had for his work. Paul was overemphasizing this to Timothy in this writing.
Let me break down the words for emphasis:
Reprove: implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.
Rebuke: to sternly reprimand or scold
Exhort: it often implies the ardent urging or admonishing, strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something
These acts are to be done in a loving and caring manner, not in a harsh, tyrannical way.
As a preacher of the Gospel, we’re not to beat people over the head with our Bibles, but we’re to encourage them to strictly adhere to the Word of God and follow in Jesus’ footsteps.
- Pray for God to help you minister to others
- Pray for God to direct your path daily
- Pray for your neighbors