2 Timothy 4 - 1.14.25
SCRIPTURE: 2 TIMOTHY 4:1 - 5
4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
OBSERVATION
Paul is writing to Timothy to provide important instruction as a leader in the church because he knows his time to leave this earth is near. You can tell by his writings there is a great importance to what he’s writing about. According to historians and what is written in verse 6, many believe 2 Timothy is Paul’s last book written in the Bible. In verse 6, Paul specifically states “the time for my departure is near.” Here is the context of 2 Timothy 4:6 – 8:
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.”
Realizing this was probably Paul’s last writing, it gives more importance to what he’s writing about. He wants to impart the most important topics to Timothy. Within the context of verses 1 – 5, the ones that hit home in my heart is to “be prepared in season and out of season: correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” and verse 3 which seems to really apply more today than ever: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.”
APPLICATION
Paul “charges” Timothy to “preach the word” because he knows a time is coming when people would reject “sound doctrine.” Somehow it seems hard to believe that people back in Paul’s day could be just like the people today where they reject sound doctrine, and follow teachers that suit their own desire and “say what their itching ears want to hear.” Boy it sure does sound like the people of today! It really seems like people, deep down, have not changed much since the beginning of time.
With false teachers abounding now and back in Paul’s day, he knows the only way to combat the false teaching is by being prepared in the Word, preaching the Gospel, and to “correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” The goal was to reach people for Christ but also to guide them in their walk. Although the “correct, rebuke and encourage” might come easy after being prepared in the Word, using great patience and careful instruction might be the challenging part if the person you’re speaking with is turning to myths and listening to false teaching. During those moments, it’s important to remember that having patience and providing careful instruction is equally important as the correction, rebuke and encouragement. The first part can’t work without the second part and visa-versa.
Paul’s charge to Timothy is just as relevant today as it was when Paul wrote this book. God is so good that this scripture comes during our prayer and fasting time. Second Timothy 4 gives us the reason why our prayer and fasting time is so important to being prepared, ultimately to help those who are being misled by false teaching. When we’re strong in the Word, in our faith, in our relationship with the Lord, that’s when we can help others in various ways – not only with being misled but in strengthening their faith and walk in Christ. The bottom line is having God’s Word as an important part of our daily life. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for your Word and to know what’s important as a believer. Forgive me for not always being prepared. Help me to grow in you and to always be ready, in season and out, to preach your Word, and to guide, gently correct and encourage others. It’s so important to be ready to share your Truth because there are so many who are lost and believing false doctrine. You desire all to come to your saving knowledge. Help me to be your instrument and guide me in your ways. In Jesus name! Amen
- Mary Oberg
