2 Timothy 4

2 Timothy 4

Theme: Guard the Faith

11) By preaching the Word (1-8)

"I solemnly charge you...preach the word" (1-2 NAS)

Verse two explains several ways to preach the word. 1) by
staying "ready" (lit. "to stand by"). The phrase "in season and
out of season", may mean the minister should be ready to apply
God's word, even at times he normally would not. It may also
mean there is no time when preaching God's word is unprofitable
for believers (cf. 3:16-17).

A) By reproving. This means to expose and convince people of
sin. In Matthew 18:15, this word occurs in the phrase "tell him
[any erring brother] his fault". John the Baptist "reproved"
Herod, telling him it was unlawful for him to have his brother
Philip's wife (Luke 3:19ff.). John 3:20 indicates those who do
evil hate the light [of truth], because it exposes [reproves]
their deeds. When Jesus said,
"He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone",
"they which heard, being convicted [reproved] by their own
conscience, went out one by one" (John 8:7ff.).

B) By rebuking. The context of other references to this word
seem to indicate rebuke involves sharp, correcting instruction,
aimed at getting the person to show proper honor [lit. "to tax
with fault"] (see Mt. 8:26; 12:16; 16:22; 17:18; 19:13; 20:31;
Mk. 1:25; 3:12; 4:39; 8:30,32,33; 9:25; 10:13,48; Lu.
4:35,39,41; 8:24; 9:21,42,55; 17:3 18:15,39 19:39 23:40; Jude
1:9, for illustrative usage of this
word).

C) By exhorting. Exhorting means to "call near". It means to
entreat, plead with, encourage, comfort and instruct someone in
the way they should walk (see Mt. 2:18; 5:4; 8:5,31,34; Mr. 1:40;
5:10,12,17,18,23; 6:56; Lk. 3:18; 7:4; 8:31,32,41; 15:28; 16:25;
Ac. 2:40; 8:31; 9:38; Ro. 12:1,8; 15:30; 16:17; 1Co. 1:10;
4:13,16; 14:31; 16:12,15; 2Co. 1:4,6; 2:7,8; 5:20; 6:1; 2Co
13:11; Eph. 4:1; 6:22; Php 4:2; Col 2:2; 4:8; # 1Th. 2:11;
3:2,7; etc.)

All of these ways to preach God's word should be done with "great
patience and instruction" (2b). Chapter 2:25-26 indicates this
is the kind of treatment God uses to grant repentance to the
knowledge of truth by those who are in error.

Several reasons for this strong charge are:

1) Because Christ will judge the living and the dead at His
appearing (1; cf. 5-8). With regard to believers, verse 8, and 1
Cor. 3:10-15 seem to indicate the substance of a minister's
preaching will be tested. That which does not build
Christ-likeness in believers will be consumed by fire, that which
does will be rewarded. Hope of reward motivated Paul to
sacrifice himself for the ministry of guarding the faith, and he
called on Timothy to do the same (5-8). With regard to the unsaved,
Christ's judgment concerns their sentence to eternal hell (cf.
Rev. 20:11-15), as revealed by their belief or disbelief of
gospel preaching here on earth (cf. Rom 10:17ff.; 2 Thess.
1:7-10; Heb. 9:27).

2) Because apostasy is coming (3-4). "For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have
their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers
in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears
from the truth, and will turn aside to myths." (NAS) Both the
coming of Christ and increasing apostasy should motivate the man
of God to guard the faith
by preaching the word.

12) By supporting the persecuted (9-22)

"Make every effort to come to me soon...At my first defense no
one supported me, but all deserted me...But the Lord stood with
me..." (9, 16, 17 NAS).

Apparently, Paul was in prison for the faith and had given his
first defense at a hearing (16). All but Luke had deserted
him--some perhaps for good reason, Demas for loving the world
more than enduring "ill treatment with the people of God " (10;
cf. Heb. 11:24-25). By contrast, the Lord stood with Paul (17),
and believers should also support the persecuted. Our text seems
to show a couple ways:

A) By going to them. Twice in this passage, Paul asks Timothy to
"make every effort to come" (9, 21). He wanted this to occur
"soon", and "before winter".

B) By bringing what they need. Paul asked Timothy to "pick up
Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service"
(11). He also requested his cloak, books, and parchments (13).

This passage also seems to reveal several reasons to endure
hardship for the gospel:

1) Because some will oppose the faith (14-15). Alexander had
apparently opposed Paul's teaching vigorously. Paul warns
Timothy to "be on guard against him yourself" (15).

2) Because the Lord strengthens the persecuted (17). Though
others desert, the Lord stands with and strengthens those who
suffer hardship for proclaiming the gospel.

3) Because endurance furthers the gospel (17b). The reason the
Lord stood with Paul and strengthened him against persecution,
was "in order that through me the proclamation might be fully
accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear". Paul's
imprisonment and trial gave him opportunity to witness.

4) Because the Lord delivers the persecuted (18). There is no
evil deed from which the Lord does not deliver. Even if a
believer is killed, this will only usher him safely into the
presence of Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 5:8).

--
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
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