Preach the Word!

Pastorals: Message Thirty-Four

2 Timothy 4:1-5

ETS: Paul exhorted Timothy to decisively act upon the Word of God through preaching it.

ESS: We should proclaim the Word of God.

OSS: [MO: Consecrative] {SO: I want the hearers to commit to proclaiming the Word both in word and deed.}

PQ: What observations can we examine in this passage?

UW: observations

Intro.: Immediately following the verses that set forth the right view of Scripture, Paul exhorted Timothy to preach the Word. Tony Merida wrote that any appropriate view of Scripture (such as is stated in 2 Tim. 3:16-17 should lead to an appropriate proclamation of Scripture (Merida, 202).

TS: Let us now examine together a few observations from this passage.

We first observe the grounding of Paul’s exhortation (v. 1):

The grounding comes with seriousness and solemnity which sets forth the significance of the following verses.

He acknowledged both God the Father and Jesus the Son; He acknowledged that both the living (those who are physically alive) and the dead (those who are physically dead) would face judgement, and He acknowledged both Christ’s return and His eternal Kingdom. These all set forth the grounding for the rest of the passage.

This grounding foundation set forth the reality that Timothy had to answer to God in the fulfilling of his responsibilities which were to be spelled out in the next verses.

We secondly observe the charging within Paul’s exhortation (vv. 2 and 5):

The charge comes by means of eight imperatives, seven of which are aorist tense implying decisive, urgent action. Tony Merida suggested that we should be able to “feel the force” of this verse from all of the imperatives (Merida, 202); Donald Guthrie stated, “The apostle regards Timothy as being at a crisis in which he must make definite resolves towards positive action.” (Guthrie, 185).

The governing imperative by which the rest flow is the first: PREACH the Word.

There is a general agreement among scholars that Paul’s exhortation to “be ready in season and out of season” referred to the fact that he (and every believer) was to be loyal to proclaiming the Gospel, taking captive every opportunity. Discussion has arisen among scholars regarding the interpretation of this phrase though it is likely, in context, understood to mean that he was to be faithful in proclaiming the Gospel even when people blatantly rejected the truth for some other “myth.”

Furthermore, the next three imperatives, “correct, rebuke, and encourage” all have similar meanings and reiterate the function of Scripture which is “profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness”- notice the need for great patience and teaching. Scholars have suggested that great patience was needed when dealing with those who specifically rejected truth and desired something else.

Lastly, the final three exhortations come with a contrastive conjunction, δἐ to contrast Timothy’s behavior and conduct with that of those who reject and turn away from the truth. Amidst such, Timothy was to exercise self-control (or remain sober minded and alert), endure hardship (such as dealing with his current circumstances), and to the fullest extent to fulfill his ministry calling. Thomas Lea commented on this last phrase adding two important insights: firstly, this should not be understood to distinguish a separate leadership position within the church, but it rather was “the duty of every Christian.” Secondly, he elaborated on the phrase “fulfill your ministry” stating that it meant “filling his work to the brim...” and completing it to the fullest of his potential (Lea, 245-246).

We thirdly observe the reasoning behind Paul’s exhortation (vv. 3-4):

Verse three begins with an explanatory or causal conjunction γὰρ which provides the reasoning behind Paul’s exhortation. The question answered is this: Why should Timothy preach and do all of these things?

The answer is found in these verses: because the time is urgent and people are turning away from the truth simply desiring to have their ears tickled instead. Andreas Kostenberger wrote, “These people merely want to have “their ears tickled” as if what they heard merely scratched their eardrums without penetrating further. They don’t want to grow spiritually but only to satisfy their curiosity.” Furthermore, Thomas Lea wrote, “Because they looked for someone to soothe the itch rather than to satisfy the thirst, they would leave the truth without an awareness of their desertion. Many who have turned from a commitment to the gospel in our time fall within the description of these words.” (Lea, 245)

CONCLUSION (move from observation to application):

The charge is serious and urgent.

The exhortation and responsibilities are clear.

The reasoning is pertinent.

We must preach the Word! People every day are turning away from the Gospel. Who will you share the Gospel with this week?