2nd Timothy Chapter 4 verse 2 Holy Bible

2nd Timothy 4 : 2 Bible Verse Songs

• We Have A Gospel To Proclaim by Huddersfield Choral Society

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 2. - Teaching for doctrine, A.V. Preach the Word (κήρυξον τὸν λόγον). It is impossible to exaggerate the dignity and importance here given to preaching by its being made the subject of so solemn and awful an adjuration as that in ver. 1 (compare the designation of κήρυξ which St. Paul gives to himself in 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11). Be instant (ἐπίστηθι). The force of the exhortation must be found, not in the verb itself taken alone, but by coupling εὐκαίρως ἀκαίρως closely with it. Be at your work, attend to it always, in and out of season; let nothing stop you; be always ready, always at hand. Reprove (ἔλεγξον); see 2 Timothy 3:16, note (comp. Matthew 18:15; Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 5:20). Generally with the idea of bringing the fault home to the offender. Rebuke (ἐπιτίμησον); a stronger word than ἔλεγξον, implying more of authority and less of argument (Matthew 8:26: 17:18; Luke 19:39; Jude 1:9, etc.). Exhort (παρακάλεσον). Sometimes the sense of "exhort," and sometimes that of "comfort," predominates (see 1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Timothy 6:2, etc.). Every way of strengthening and establishing souls in the fear and love of God is to be tried, and that with all long suffering and teaching. (For μακροθυμία, see ch. 3:10, note.) For "teaching" or "doctrine" (διδαχή), St. Paul more frequently uses διδασκαλία in the pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Timothy 4:6, 13, 16; 1 Timothy 5:17; ch. 3:10, 16, etc.); but there does not seem to be any great difference of meaning. Possibly διδαχή points more to the act of teaching. The use of it here, coupled with "long suffering," directs that the man of God, whether he preaches, reproves, rebukes, or exhorts, is always to be a patient teacher of God's Word and truth.

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) Preach the word.--The language of the original here is abrupt and emphatic, written evidently under strong emotion and with intense earnestness. St. Paul charged his friend and successor with awful solemnity, as we have seen, "preach," or proclaim. loudly and publicly, as a herald would announce the accession of his king. The exact opposite to what St. Paul would urge on Timothy is described by Isa. (Isaiah 56:10), when he speaks of God's watchmen as "dumb dogs, who cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber."Be instant in season, out of season.--Some difference exists between commentators respecting the exact meaning to be given to the Greek word translated "be instant." Some would give it the sense of drawing nigh to, and as it is not specified in the text to whom Timothy should draw nigh, they supply from the context "the brethren," those to whom the word is preached: "draw near to Christian assemblies." It seems, however, best to understand this rather difficult word as an injunction to Timothy to be earnest and urgent generally in the whole work of his ministry: "Press on, in season, out of season."In season, out of season.--In other words, "For thy work, set apart no definite and fixed hours, no appointed times. Thy work must be done at all hours, at all times. Thy work has to be done not only when thou art in church, not merely in times of security and peace, but it must be carried on, in the midst of dangers, even if thou art a prisoner and in chains, even if death threaten thee."So Chrysostom--who also uses St. Paul's words here as an urgent call to ministers to labour on in spite of discouragement and apparent failure--telling them in his own bright, eloquent way, how fountains still flow on, though no one goes to them to draw water, and rivers still run on, though no one drinks at them.Augustine asks and answers the question to whom "in season" and to whom "out of season" refers: "in season" to those willing, "out of season" to the unwilling. This, however, only touches a portion of the thought of St. Paul, who urges on God's true servants a restless, sleepless earnestness, which struggles on with the Master's work in spite of bodily weakness and discouragement, in face of dangers and the bitterest opposition.Reprove.--Not merely those erring in doctrine, but generally those who are blameworthy: "Was tadelnswerthist."Rebuke.--A sharper and more severe word than the preceding. It is used by St. Jude 1:9, in his report of the words addressed by St. Michael to the devil: "The Lord rebuke thee." It frequently occurs in the Gospels. (See, for instance, Matthew 17:18, "And Jesus rebuked the devil.") . . .