2 Timothy 4:1-2 Preach the Word

2Timothy 4:1-2  “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (NASB)

There are three letters in the New Testament of our Bible that are referred to as the Pastoral Epistles.  That is, they are generally considered to be instructions for pastors.  This is because they were written to two guys, Titus and Timothy whom Paul was instructing in ways to lead the church. 

Why did he do this?  Paul knew that his ministry would one day come to an end and that he should be pouring his efforts not only into evangelism of the lost but also into the next generation of leaders.  To that end, he gives instruction to Timothy and Titus in the three letters we have.  The three letters named for the recipients are Titus and first and second Timothy.

On Saturday at a dinner Pastor Joey said we would see something “New” in the sanctuary on Sunday.  It didn’t take long to see where.  Posted right on the front of the podium, center stage, was a new inscription.  IN GREEK!  Having been tipped off I actually brought my Hebrew / Greek Study Bible and had absolutely no results digging in with my virtually nonexistent language skills.  The inscription read, “khrucon ton logon” and at that I’m giving you the anglicized version of the words.  I was staring at Greek letters which I have no way to type into the BLOG.

About nine O’clock last night I was about certain I had deciphered it.  “Preach the Word” from 2 Timothy 4 was what I came up with.  So after this rather long introduction let’s take a quick look.

Paul exhorts his protégé, Timothy “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus”.  Does that get your attention?  As a Timothy, it would me.  He goes on to remind Timothy a little about Jesus who, “Is to judge the living and the dead”.  Tuned in yet?  But Paul isn’t done, yet another reminder about Jesus “Appearing” which is a reference to His incarnation or walking among us; God among men.  Finally comes a reference to “His kingdom”.  “His kingdom”, reminds Timothy not only of His reign as King but also the eternal nature of that kingdom.

Now with all the emphasis Paul could muster he finally gets to what he’s asking Timothy to do.  “Preach the word”.  And be always ready to preach it regardless of the season; be ready.  Be ready with the word to, “Reprove, rebuke, and exhort”  all of this, “With great patience and instruction”.

So to put it in a nutshell, Paul wants Timothy to understand how serious his work for God’s kingdom is, to be ready to “Preach the word” whenever the opportunity or the need arises.  Perhaps the last is the most important.  Paul reminds Timothy to be gentile with the flock.  Paul knows Christians are just weak vessels that have been greatly blessed with the call of their Savior Jesus.  Elsewhere a similar reminder is given, “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ”. Ephesians 4:15

So being a pastor is a serious even a solemn charge.  It is the choice of God to use the human vessel; to use a pastor to proclaim the truth of Christ with the love of Christ.  “Preach the word”!  AMEN!