2 Timothy 4:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

NIV: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.

NASB: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.

CSB: Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.

NLT: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

KJV: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

NKJV: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

The "charge" Paul mentioned in the previous verse is announced here in verse 2: "preach the word." Timothy was not to turn from sound doctrine or to myths (2 Timothy 4:3–4), but was to focus his ministry on communicating God's revealed truth. Paul then includes seven specific ways in which Timothy is to preach the word.

First, Timothy was to be ready when preaching was convenient. The phrase "in season" refers to those times when one is, by common sense, "supposed" to be preaching the word. These are friendly circumstances, or safe times.

Second, Timothy was to be ready when preaching was not convenient. This is the meaning of the phrase "out of season." These are the times when proclaiming the truth is awkward, difficult, or resisted.

Third, he is to provide correction to those who are in error. This echoes Paul's call to "rebuke" or "reprove" found in 1 Timothy 5:20 (Proverbs 3:12; 9:8; 19:25).

Fourth, Timothy is to speak out against wrong. The Greek term translated as "rebuke" is epitimēson, which in this context means to scold, chide, or correct.

Fifth, Timothy must exhort, a term referring to encouragement or urging. This is from the Greek term parakaleson, which involves support, comfort, and aid.

Sixth, Timothy is to preach with patience. For those in leadership, and especially when faced with opposition, this can be extremely difficult. And yet, Paul mentions this as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). Patience, despite frustrations, is meant to be a hallmark of Christian faith.

Seventh, Timothy's preaching of the word should include teaching, a term referring to instruction. He is to include both emotion and intellect, training believers to follow God's truth.

Second Timothy 4:1–8 contains Paul's last ministry instructions to Timothy. Paul knows that he will not survive his current imprisonment. So, he clearly and boldly charges Timothy—commands him—to hold to the faith he has seen and lived. He can do this knowing that Paul has faithfully served God, expecting the heavenly rewards given to all of God's followers. The poignant tone of this passage is made even more bittersweet by the long friendship these two men have shared.

Paul summarizes his instructions to Timothy, through a practical application of his prior teachings. Timothy is "charged" by Paul to defend his faith, against all error and false teaching, at all times. Timothy will face resistance. Paul also openly admits that his life is nearly over, so Timothy will need to soldier on without him. After this, Paul gives some personal updates about his situation, giving Timothy a few instructions and advice about particular people. Paul makes a final appeal for Timothy to visit him, then closes his letter—as he will close his life—focused on the grace of God.

Second Timothy is the last New Testament letter written by Paul. Paul writes these words while awaiting execution by Rome. At this time, around AD 67, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus. Paul writes to Timothy in order to encourage him. Paul is facing the worst of all hardships: his own impending death. So, he encourages Timothy to stand strong in his faith, with a reliance on the written Word of God. This letter echoes many of the themes Paul uses in his other letters.