April 25
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PREACH THE WORD, CORRECT, REBUKE & EXHORT
I solemnly exhort 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: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:1-8
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In this letter, Paul charges Timothy to preach the word. He desires God’s word to be declared and explained. Paul’s constant theme in his letter to Timothy is about the importance of Scripture. He mentioned previously how the word of God is beneficial for correction, rebuke and exhortation. Paul repeats these same words this part of his letter. As the pastor of the church, Timothy was urged to preach the word in all season. In other words, he wants it to be declared and taught at all times.
He wants the pastors to correct, rebuke and exhort with much patience and give all the training needed for the believers to grow in righteousness and in their walk with the Spirit. Why is it important to preach the word? Paul explains it in verse 3: for there will come a time when people would not want sound teaching. Instead, they want to hear teaching that will please their ears and satisfy their cravings. They do not want to hear the truth, but listen to lies and myths.
So in verse 5, Paul cautions them to always have self-control in all things, to endure and to evangelize in order for their ministry to be fulfilled. In verse 6, he is telling Timothy that his time is coming and he has finished the race to keep his faith. It is almost a farewell letter to his beloved spiritual son, Timothy. As if he is giving his last will to him. What a selfless person Paul is that even in his last moments, he is still thinking of the believers.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think some believers are scared to preach the word of God?