AM Bible Study Group; January 21, 2015 from 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Theme: Paul presses on Timothy the high priority of faithfully preaching the word of God.
(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).
As we come to the last chapter of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, let’s take a moment to review:
The focus in the first chapter was that of urging Pastor Timothy to accept the afflictions that come for the ministry of the gospel. Paul used himself as an example, in that he was in prison for his preaching—awaiting execution. But he urged Timothy not to shrink back from the affliction. He then, in Chapter 2, exhorted Timothy to make sure he fulfilled an approved ministry before God. He was to do his work diligently and with integrity—as a worker who will not need to be ashamed on the great day of review. In the third chapter, Paul put before Timothy the challenges that he would face. He wanted Timothy to be aware that a falling away was coming; and that the hardness of people’s hearts would make it a very difficult time to be a faithful preacher of the word. Timothy was, however, to remember the great value of God’s word, and to be encouraged by the impact it would have on those who believe.
And that’s when Paul starts the fourth chapter with a bang and says, “Preach the word!” He urges Timothy in this chapter to be active and about the work in the light of the promised reward. That simple, three-word exhortation has been the motivation for many a faithful church and many a faithful preacher throughout the centuries!
What a great call to faithful work in the gospel this is! Consider what Paul tells Timothy about . . .
I. THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE WORK (v. 1).
A. “I charge you therefore . . .” After explaining to Timothy the wonderful value of the word of God as given by inspiration of God and profitable (see 3:16-17), he then—as a consequence of what he has said—solemnly presses upon Timothy that he must do the work of preaching it. You see the seriousness of this work in the ways that he charges Timothy to do it. First, notice that he issues this charge with an abiding sense of God’s presence. “before God and the Lord Jesus Christ . . .” Timothy is to preach the word of God as if in the presence of God—under the watchful eye of both the heavenly Father and the blessed Lord Jesus (see 2 Timothy 2:15). Timothy was to preach God’s word in such a way as to ensure that the word was always well-handled, the people of God always well-fed, and God always well-pleased with his work. How differently every preacher would prepare their sermons—and preach even the hard and undesirable passages!—if they did so with a consciousness of God’s watchfulness over their work!
B. Then, notice that he issues Timothy this charge with the ultimate judgment of souls in mind. Paul charges Timothy in the light of Christ, “who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing . . .” The preaching of God’s word is not a place for trivialities. Each preacher with true integrity knows that his ministry impacts the eternity of others. If he fails to preach what God wants said, he must give an account for those souls that are affected—just as a watchman must give an account if he fails to faithfully cry out a warning at the wall (Ezekiel 33:1-9). Even with respect to himself, the preacher of God’s word needs to be alert to the fact that he under a stricter judgment (James 3:1).
C. Finally, he calls Timothy to this work with an anticipation of it spreading Jesus’ kingdom rule. He charges Timothy to preach not only in the light of Jesus’ coming, but also “and His kingdom . . .” The work is hard; but there is no more worthy work than that of advancing the kingdom rule of Jesus Christ; and of being a part of God’s work of delivering people “from the power of darkness”, and conveying them to “the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13).
II. THE THOROUGHNESS OF THE WORK (v. 2).
A. A work that is given that that kind of a charge is to be taken seriously. Notice the ‘what’ of this work. “Preach the word!” It’s a simple command to understand; and one that would take a man a lifetime to fulfill. We can declare a lot of things that the world may want to hear; but there is no other message that can change the lives of people like the message of God’s word. Become a good doctor and you can prolong some lives. Become a good politician and you can change some policies. But become a good preacher of God’s word and you can save souls and change the world.
B. Then, notice the ‘when’ of this work of preaching. “Be ready in season and out of season.” That means that it is to be preached both when it is considered convenient and when it is not considered convenient with respect to the times—both when it is accepted and when it is not accepted by those who hear it. Those two occasions—in season and out of season—cover it all. There is no third season.
C. And finally, notice the ‘how’ of this work of preaching the word. “Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” The work is not to be done just simply in an abstract way; and perhaps not just from the pulpit only. People will not mind the preaching of the word so long as it doesn’t get intrusive into their lives. But Timothy was to do the work in such a way as to get it down deeply into people’s lives in such a way as to make a change in their attitudes and actions (see Colossians 1:28). He was to of course do this compassionately; but nevertheless in a personal, practical, and persuasive way. People should have an encounter with the preached word in a way that it leaves them with a sense of obligation.
III. THE URGENCY OF THE WORK (vv. 3-4).
A. The urgency of this work—and perhaps especially in the light of the call for personal application—is underscored by the fact that, one day, people will be characterized by an intolerance for the sound teaching of the word. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine . . .” The word gives us the content for sound doctrine; but as 3:1-9 makes clear, the people who most need it will not always welcome it.
B. Not only will they be intolerant of sound teaching, but they will show an insatiable hunger for teachers who flatter their sinful inclinations. They won’t tolerate sound doctrine; “but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers . . .” Many false teachers will be happy to provide for this craving (see 3:6-7). The great cure for it is faithful preaching (see 1 Timothy 1:3-7; Titus 1:5-14).
C. Finally, they will be characterized by an outright rejection of truth in favor of myths. Paul warns, “and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” Not wanting the truth, God will allow them what they want instead, and permit them to believe falsehood (Romans 1:18-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). No wonder the work of preaching the word is so urgent! The window of opportunity in the hearts of people will one day close; and faithful preaching must occur while there is still time!
IV. THE EARNESTNESS OF THE WORK (v. 5).
A. A work such as this demands a faithful worker. Paul exhorts Timothy to conduct himself with an earnestness in it. He puts the matter emphatically and urges him, “But you be watchful in all things . . .” This has to do with his vigilance in his work—with an awareness of what’s going on around him. The times may be dangerous (see vv. 14-15), and he must be alert. But he must also be alert to the opportunities for the gospel and seize them when he can.
B. Then, Paul urges him to “endure afflictions . . .” This has to do with his attention to what is going on within him in the work because of what is going on around him (see also 2:3-7).
C. Paul then urges him to “do the work of an evangelist . . .” This has to do with the priority of his work—keeping it in perspective in terms of God’s compassion for souls. A pastor may not necessarily be an evangelist by calling, or have the gift of an evangelist through the gifting of the Holy Spirit; but he is nevertheless to do the work of one—seeking to save lost souls, and supporting the work of outreach.
D. Finally, Paul tells him to “fulfill your ministry.” This has do to with the sense of responsibility he has to God in his work. He must not quit. He must not give in—no matter how hard the work may be, or how much it may cost him. Like Paul—who was even then in prison awaiting execution—he must “finish the race” with an eye to the reward (4:7-8).