preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.
Parallel Translations
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preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.
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preache the worde be fervent be it in season or out of season. Improve rebuke exhorte with all longe sufferinge and doctryne.
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Preach the worde: be instant, in season and out of season: improue, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Cross-references (34)
Passages linked to 2 Timothy 4:2 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all.
- 1 Timothy 4:15-16 Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all. Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
- Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.
- 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.
- Titus 2:15 Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you.
- 2 Timothy 2:21 If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.
- Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
- Galatians 6:6 But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.
- Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
- Colossians 1:28-29 We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
- Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
- 1 Timothy 5:20 Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.
- 2 Timothy 3:10 But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,
- Jonah 3:2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.”
- Acts 16:31-33 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household.
- Romans 10:15 And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
- Colossians 1:25 of which I was made a servant according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you to fulfill the word of God,
- John 4:32-34 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.” The disciples therefore said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
- Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath day we went outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
- Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and continued his speech until midnight.
- Acts 28:30-31 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him, preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
- Isaiah 61:1-3 The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified.
- Luke 9:60 But Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce God’s Kingdom.”
- Psalms 40:9 I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, Yahweh, you know.
- Luke 7:4 When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him,
- Luke 7:23 Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Don’t despise prophecies.
- John 4:6-10 Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman therefore said to him, “How is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
- 2 Timothy 2:25 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,
- Acts 13:5 When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their attendant.
- Acts 20:18-21 When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews; how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.
- Acts 28:16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children, to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.
- Hebrews 13:22 But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation; for I have written to you in few words.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (14 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 2 Be instant in season, out of season By…
2 Be instant in season, out of season By these words he recommends not only constancy, but likewise earnestness, so as to overcome all hindrances and difficulties; for, being, by nature, exceedingly effeminate or slothful, we easily yield to the slightest opposition, and sometimes we gladly seek apologies for our slothfulness. Let us now consider how many arts Satan employs to stop our course, and how slow to follow, and how soon wearied are those who are called. Consequently the gospel will not long maintain its place, if pastors do not urge it earnestly.
Moreover, this earnestness must relate both to the pastor and to the people; to the pastor, that he may not devote himself to the office of teaching merely at his own times and according to his own convenience, but that, shrinking neither from toils nor from annoyances, he may exercise his faculties to the utmost. So far as regards the people, there is constancy and earnestness, when they arouse those who are asleep, when they lay their hands on those who are hurrying in a wrong direction, and when they correct the trivial occupations of the world. To explain more fully in what respects the pastor must “be instant,” the Apostle adds —
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Reprove, rebuke, exhort By these words he means, that we have need of many excitements to urge us to advance in the right course; for if we were as teachable as we ought to be, a minister of Christ would draw us along by the slightest expression of his will. But now, not even moderate exhortations, to say nothing of sound advices, are sufficient for shaking off our sluggishness, if there be not increased vehemence of reproofs and threatenings.
With all gentleness and doctrine. A very necessary exception; for reproofs either fall through their own violence, or vanish into smoke, if they do not rest on doctrine Both exhortations and reproofs are merely aids to doctrine, and, therefore, have little weight without it. We see instances of this in those who have merely a large measure of zeal and bitterness, and are not furnished with solid doctrine. Such men toil very hard, utter loud cries, make a great noise, and all to no purpose, because they build without a foundation. I speak of men who, in other respects, are good, but with little learning, and excessive warmth; for they who employ all the energy that they possess in battling against sound doctrine, are far more dangerous, and do not deserve to be mentioned here at all.
In short, Paul means that reproofs are founded on doctrine, in order that they may not be justly despised as frivolous. Secondly, he means that keenness is moderated by gentleness; for nothing is more difficult than to set a limit to our zeal, when we have once become warm. Now when we are carried away by impatience, our exertions are altogether fruitless. Our harshness not only exposes us to ridicule, but also irritates the minds of the people. Besides, keen and violent men seem generally unable to endure the obstinacy of those with whom they are brought into intercourse, and cannot submit to many annoyances and insults, which nevertheless must be digested, if we are desirous to be useful. Let severity be therefore mingled with this seasoning of gentleness, that it may be known to proceed from a peaceful heart.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out…
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Ver. 2. Be instant] Gr. επιστηθι, stand over it, stand close to it. Chrysostom, at Antioch, having preached many sermons against swearing, was at length asked when he would preach upon another subject? He answered, When you leave swearing, I will leave preaching against swearing.
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In season, out of season] On the Lord’s day, on the week day, Volentibus nolentibus die importunus, Tu vis errare, tu vis perire, ego nolo, saith Augustine. Let men know, whether they will or not, that for lack of preaching they shall not perish. The shewbread stood all the week before the Lord; to show, that preaching is not out of season on any day. The friars of Basil held that it was Lutheranum diebus profanis praedicare, heretical to preach on working days. (Melch. Adam.) But Anthony Person, martyr, told his persecutors that they were bite sheeps and not bishops for neglecting to preach. It being as great a wonder at Rome to hear a bishop preach as to see an ass fly, said Dr Bassinet. But Bishop Ridley preached usually every sabbath day and holy day; so did Bishop Jewel, Dr Taylor, martyr, Mr Bradford, even during his imprisonment; preaching, reading, and praying was all his whole life. He did sharply reprove sin, pithily improve errors, sweetly preach Christ crucified, earnestly persuade to a godly life.
With all longsuffering, &c.] Si decimus quisque, si unus persuasus fuerit, ad consolationem abunde sufficit, saith Chrysostom. If you gain but the tithe of your hearers, or less, it is well.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Preach; proclaim like a herald, cry like a common…
Preach; proclaim like a herald, cry like a common crier in the hearing of a multitude. Thus God to Isaiah, Isa 58:1; Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet. The word; the word of truth, Isa 2:15, or the gospel, called the word by way of emphasis: see Mat 4:23; 24:14; Mar 1:14; 13:10; 16:15. The word of God, not old wives’ fables, endless genealogies, perverse disputings, unedifying questions, &c. This precept reflects upon unpreaching ministers, and impertinent, vain preachers.
Be instant; be earnest and diligent. This reflects upon a cold and perfunctory preaching. God bid Isaiah cry aloud, lift up his voice like a trumpet. Sinners are like deaf adders.
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In season, out of season; that is, at all times, not on the Lord’s days only, but any other time when thou hast opportunity; not in times when thou mayst do it with safety, but when the wisdom of the flesh tells thee it is out of season. This reflects upon such as preach rarely, and consult their flesh, whether they should perform it at all, or no.
Reprove; elegzon, convince such as gainsay the truth.
Rebuke all sinners, all that live an ill life. This reflects upon those effeminate preachers, against whom Ezekiel denounced the woe, Eze 13:18, that sew pillows to all armholes; that prophesy smooth things instead of the right things of the word.
Exhort; persuade or comfort, (the word signifies both), as thou seest occasion.
With all longsuffering; but do what thou doest prudently, with meekness. God needeth not thy passion, though he makes use of thy art in instruction.
And doctrine; do it so as to join instruction with thy reproof. This reflects upon flattering, fawning, unfaithful preachers, and such as vent their own passion, rather than pursue their due end for instruction and reformation of souls.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Preach the word,.... Either Christ the essential Word, who…
Preach the word,.... Either Christ the essential Word, who is the sum and substance of the Gospel ministry; or the word of truth and faith, the Gospel of salvation, the word of righteousness, peace, and reconciliation by Christ; which is to be preached, or published, in like manner as heralds proclaim the will of their princes; openly, publicly, and with a loud voice, without adding to it, or taking from speaking out the whole, and keeping back no part of it; and that with all courage and boldness: some copies read, "the word of God"; and the Ethiopic version, "his word"; that is, the word of Christ:
be instant in season, out of season; that is, be constant and assiduous in the work of the ministry; be always and wholly in it, either preparing for it, or performing it; or doing those things which are annexed to it, or follow upon it; redeem time, and take every opportunity of dispensing the mysteries of grace, as a faithful steward of them; not only make use of the common and stated seasons for the ministration of the word and ordinances, but embrace every other that offers; make use not only of those seasons which may seem commodious and advantageous both to preacher and hearer, and promise usefulness and success, but even such as may seem incommodious and disadvantageous to flesh and blood; such as times of persecution and opposition; but none of these things should deter and move from the preaching of the Gospel. Several parts of the ministerial function to be insisted on and attended to are next mentioned, as being within the solemn charge given before God and Christ:
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reprove; errors, and men for their errors and heresies; make use of convincing arguments taken out of the Scriptures, which are profitable for reproof of this kind; and which reproof sometimes is to be given with sharpness, as the case requires, that men may be sound in the faith.
Rebuke; or chide for sin; some privately, others more publicly, according to the nature and circumstances of the offence; some more gently, others more roughly, as is needful.
Exhort; to all the duties of religion respecting God and man; to show love, and to do good works; to hold fast the profession of faith, and walk as becomes the Gospel of Christ; and to persevere in faith and holiness: or "comfort", as the word may be rendered; for as the ministers of the Gospel are in some cases to be "Boanergeses", sons of thunder, so other cases they should be Barnabases, sons of consolation; and comfort distressed minds, by preaching the comfortable doctrines of peace, pardon, righteousness and salvation by Jesus Christ:
with all longsuffering: or patience. The success of the Gospel ministry should be patiently waited for as husbandmen do for the fruits of the earth. Those that give into error, and oppose themselves to the truth, should be instructed in meekness; and those who are overtaken in a fault should be gently rebuked, and restored in such a spirit; and every exhortation should be pressed as persons are able to bear it:
and doctrine; in a way that is instructive and teaching, and in agreement with the doctrine of the Scriptures, which are profitable for that purpose.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Be instant - Insist on, urge these things in…
Be instant - Insist on, urge these things in season, out of season - That is, continually, at all times and places. It might be translated, with and without opportunity - Not only when a fair occasion is given: even when there is none, one must be made.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 2. Preach the word] Κηρυξον τον λογον· Proclaim…
Verse 2. Preach the word] Κηρυξον τον λογον· Proclaim the doctrine, the doctrine of Christ crucified, for the sins of the whole world; the doctrine, that the Gentiles are invited to be fellow heirs with the Jews, and that for Jews and Gentiles there is no salvation but by faith in Christ.
Be instant in season, out of season] Επιστηθι ευκαιρως, ακαιρως. Be urgent whether the times be prosperous or adverse, whenever there is an opportunity; and when there is none, strive to make one. The Judge is at the door, and to every man eternity is at hand! Wherever thou meetest a sinner, speak to him the word of reconciliation. Do not be contented with stated times and accustomed places merely; all time and place belong to God, and are proper for his work. Wherever it can be done, there it should be done. Satan will omit neither time nor place where he can destroy. Omit thou none where thou mayest be the instrument of salvation to any.
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Reprove] ελεγξον. Confute, the false teacher.
Rebuke] επιτιμησον. Reprove cuttingly and severely those who will not abandon their sins.
Exhort] παρακαλεσον. Comfort the feeble-minded, the diffident and the tempted.
With all long-suffering] In reference to each and all of these cases.
And doctrine.] The different modes of teaching suited to each.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Preach the word - The Word of God; the…
Preach the word - The Word of God; the gospel. This was to be the main business of the life of Timothy, and Paul solemnly charges him in view of the certain coming of the Redeemer to judgment, to be faithful in the performance of it.
Be instant - see the notes at Rom 12:12. The meaning here is, that he should be constant in this duty. Literally, “to stand by, or to stand fast by;” that is, he was to be pressing or urgent in the performance of this work. He was always to be at his post, and was to embrace every opportunity of making known the gospel. What Paul seems to have contemplated was not merely, that he should perform the duty at stated and regular times; but that he should press the matter as one who had the subject much at heart, and never lose an opportunity of making the gospel known.
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In season - εὐκαίρως eukairōs. In good time; opportunely; compare Mat 26:16; Luk 22:6; Mar 14:11. The sense is, when it could be conveniently done; when all things were favorable, and when there were no obstructions or hindrances. It may include the “stated and regular” seasons for public worship, but is not confined to them.
Out of season - ἀκαίρως akairōs. This word does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It is the opposite of the former, and means that a minister is to seek opportunities to preach the gospel even at such periods as might be inconvenient to himself, or when there might be hindrances and embarrassments, or when there was no stated appointment for preaching. He is not to confine himself to the appointed times of worship, or to preach only when it will be perfectly convenient for himself, but he is to have such an interest and earnestness in the work, that it will lead him to do it in the face of embarrassments and discouragements, and whenever he can find an opportunity. A man who is greatly intent on an object will seek every opportunity to promote it. He will not confine himself to stated times and places, but will present it everywhere, and at all times. A man, therefore, who merely confines himself to the stated seasons of preaching the gospel, or who merely preaches when it is convenient to himself, should not consider that he has come up to the requirement of the rule laid down by the apostle. He should preach in his private conversation, and in the intervals of his public labors, at the side of the sick bed, and wherever there is a prospect of doing good to any one. If his heart is full of love to the Saviour and to souls, he cannot help doing this.
Reprove - Or “convince;” See the notes at 2Ti 3:16. The meaning is that he was to use such arguments as would “convince” men of the truth of religion, and of their own need of it.
Rebuke - Rebuke offenders; Tit 2:15; see the use of the word in Mat 8:26; Mat 12:16, (rendered “charged”); Mat 16:22; Mat 17:18; Mat 19:13; Mat 20:31; Luk 4:35, Luk 4:39; Luk 17:13; Luk 18:15; Jud 1:9. In the New Testament the word is used to express a judgment of what is wrong or contrary to one’s will, and hence, to admonish or reprove. It implies our conviction that there is something evil, or some fault in him who is rebuked. The word in this verse rendered “reprove,” does not imply this, but merely that one may be in error, and needs to have arguments presented to convince him of the truth. That word also implies no superior authority in him who does it. He presents “reasons, or argues” the case, for the purpose of convincing. The word here rendered rebuke, implies authority or superiority, and means merely that we may say that a thing is wrong, and administer a rebuke for it, as if there were no doubt that it was wrong. The propriety of the rebuke rests on our authority for doing it, not on the arguments which we present. This is based on the presumption that men often Know that they are doing wrong, and need no arguments to convince them of it. The idea is, that the minister is not merely to reason about sin, and convince men that it is wrong, but he may solemnly admonish them not to do it, and warn them of the consequences.
Exhort - See the notes at Rom 12:8.
With all long-suffering - That is, with a patient and persevering spirit if you are opposed; see the notes on 2Ti 2:25; compare the notes on Rom 2:4; compare Rom 9:22; 2Co 6:6; Gal 5:22; Eph 4:2; Col 1:11; Col 3:12; 1Ti 1:16.
And doctrine - Teaching, or patient instruction.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain In season,[2] out of season; i.e. whether the hearers…
In season,[2] out of season; i.e. whether the hearers are willing to hearken to thee or not. Or, as others understand it, whether it be convenient or inconvenient for the to signify that the ministers of God must not desist from preaching, whatever troubles they are under. (Witham)
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[BIBLIOGRAPHY]
Greek: Eukairos akairos, Tempestive, intempestive.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain Preach--literally, "proclaim as a herald." The term for the…
Preach--literally, "proclaim as a herald." The term for the discourses in the synagogue was daraschoth; the corresponding Greek term (implying dialectial style, dialogue, and discussion, Act 17:2, Act 17:18; Act 18:4, Act 18:19) is applied in Acts to discourses in the Christian Church. JUSTIN MARTYR [Apology, 2], describes the order of public worship, "On Sunday all meet and the writings of the apostles and prophets are read; then the president delivers a discourse; after this all stand up and pray; then there is offered bread and wine and water; the president likewise prays and gives thanks, and the people solemnly assent, saying, Amen." The bishops and presbyters had the right and duty to preach, but they sometimes called on deacons, and even laymen, to preach. EUSEBIUS [Ecclesiastical History, 6.19]; in this the Church imitated the synagogue (Luk 4:17-22; Act 13:15-16).
be instant--that is, urgent, earnest, in the whole work of the ministry.
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in season, out of season--that is, at all seasons; whether they regard your speaking as seasonable or unseasonable. "Just as the fountains, though none may draw from them, still flow on; and the rivers, though none drink of them, still run; so must we do all on our part in speaking, though none give heed to us" [CHRYSOSTOM, Homily, 30, vol. 5., p. 221]. I think with CHRYSOSTOM, there is included also the idea of times whether seasonable or unseasonable to Timothy himself; not merely when convenient, but when inconvenient to thee, night as well as day (Act 20:31), in danger as well as in safety, in prison and when doomed to death as well as when at large, not only in church, but everywhere and on all occasions, whenever and wherever the Lord's work requires it.
reprove--"convict," "confute."
with, &c.--Greek, "IN (the element in which the exhortation ought to have place) all long-suffering (Ti2 2:24-25; Ti2 3:10) and teaching"; compare Ti2 2:24, "apt to teach." The Greek for "doctrine" here is didache, but in Ti2 3:16, didascalia. "Didascalia" is what one receives; "didache" is what is communicated [TITTMANN].
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 2. What he is charged to do.
2. What he is charged to do.
Preach—Proclaim as a herald, the word which, as herald, thou bearest from God to man.
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Be instant—Or urgent and pressing, as becomes God’s herald, to force thy message on men’s attention.
Out of season—As they may esteem it; yet it will be in season if its very abruptness makes it effectual. Methods of the message. Men are entangled in sophisms, therefore reprove, that is, refute, convince them: they are persistent in known wickedness, therefore rebuke: they are slow to good, therefore exhort, incite, encourage, urge them. Tempers— longsuffering, for they will be long-trying; and doctrine—for they will need teaching, a continual inculcation of truth.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 2. preach the word] The unconnected aorist is emphatic;…
2. preach the word] The unconnected aorist is emphatic; so is the aorist, to indicate the ‘verb thought’ standing out with prominence; ‘I adjure thee, remember—preaching, persisting, reproving, rebuking, rousing,—to it, in God’s name!’ If the tenses had been present, the stress would have been different; ‘Go on with each, keep on at it, form the habit of it.’
be instant] The other uses of the word in N.T. are either in the sense (of person) ‘coming and standing by’ or (of time) ‘being present,’ cf. Act_17:5; as below 2Ti_4:6. Here the sense is the classical one of giving attention,’ ‘applying oneself to a thing. Compare Dem. De Cor., 305. 7, ‘what means and resources our country possessed when I entered on the administration, what when I applied myself to it I collected for her.’
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in season, out of season] An oxymoron, not to be pressed literally any more than the familiar nolens volens, but implying, as we should say, ‘constant application.’ Vulg. ‘opportune,’ ‘importune.’
reprove] The same word as in 2Ti_3:16, ‘reproof’; less strong than the following ‘rebuke,’ which St Paul has nowhere else; it is frequent in the Gospels, and occurs Judges 9.
exhort] Or here perhaps ‘rouse’; see note on 1Ti_5:1. The order of the verbs in some mss. is ‘reprove, rouse, rebuke’; so Vulg. ‘argue obsecra increpa in omni patientia et doctrina,’ which the English Prayer-Book follows in the last prayer for the consecration of a Bishop ‘that he may be earnest to reprove, beseech and rebuke with all patience and doctrine.’
longsuffering] See 1Ti_1:16; 2Ti_3:10.
doctrine] Rather teaching; this word only occurs in Tit_1:9 besides, of the Pastoral Epistles, though it is used by all the Evangelists and by St Paul four times in his other Epistles. The distinction, drawn Tit_1:9, holds equally here between this word and the word translated ‘doctrine’ in 2Ti_4:3.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (2) Preach the word.—The language of the original here…
(2) Preach the word.—The language of the original here is abrupt and emphatic, written evidently under strong emotion and with intense earnestness. St. Paul charged his friend and successor with awful solemnity, as we have seen, “preach,” or proclaim. loudly and publicly, as a herald would announce the accession of his king. The exact opposite to what St. Paul would urge on Timothy is described by Isa. (Isa_56:10), when he speaks of God’s watchmen as “dumb dogs, who cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.”
Be instant in season, out of season.—Some difference exists between commentators respecting the exact meaning to be given to the Greek word translated “be instant.” Some would give it the sense of drawing nigh to, and as it is not specified in the text to whom Timothy should draw nigh, they supply from the context “the brethren,” those to whom the word is preached: “draw near to Christian assemblies.” It seems, however, best to understand this rather difficult word as an injunction to Timothy to be earnest and urgent generally in the whole work of his ministry: “Press on, in season, out of season.”
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In season, out of season.—In other words, “For thy work, set apart no definite and fixed hours, no appointed times. Thy work must be done at all hours, at all times. Thy work has to be done not only when thou art in church, not merely in times of security and peace, but it must be carried on, in the midst of dangers, even if thou art a prisoner and in chains, even if death threaten thee.”
So Chrysostom—who also uses St. Paul’s words here as an urgent call to ministers to labour on in spite of discouragement and apparent failure—telling them in his own bright, eloquent way, how fountains still flow on, though no one goes to them to draw water, and rivers still run on, though no one drinks at them.
Augustine asks and answers the question to whom “in season” and to whom “out of season” refers: “in season” to those willing, “out of season” to the unwilling. This, however, only touches a portion of the thought of St. Paul, who urges on God’s true servants a restless, sleepless earnestness, which struggles on with the Master’s work in spite of bodily weakness and discouragement, in face of dangers and the bitterest opposition.
Reprove.—Not merely those erring in doctrine, but generally those who are blameworthy: “Was tadelnswerthist.”
Rebuke.—A sharper and more severe word than the preceding. It is used by St. Jud_1:9, in his report of the words addressed by St. Michael to the devil: “The Lord rebuke thee.” It frequently occurs in the Gospels. (See, for instance, Mat_17:18, “And Jesus rebuked the devil.”)
Exhort.—Not only is he to remember ceaselessly to watch over the flock, and to reprove and rebuke the erring and sinners, but also with no less diligence to speak comfortable words of encouragement and hope to all, especially the dispirited and sad-hearted.
With all longsuffering and doctrine.—The word translated “doctrine” signifies, rather, teaching. He must reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all gentleness and patience; and in all this he must take care that “teaching”—the teaching which is right, and true, and full of hope—accompanies his rebuke and his words of comfort.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Teaching for doctrine, A.V Preach the Word (khruxon togon).…
Teaching for doctrine, A.V Preach the Word (khruxon togon). It is impossible to exaggerate the dignity and importance here given to preaching by its being made the subject of so solemn and awful an adjuration as that in ver. 1 (compare the designation of khrux which St. Paul gives to himself in (1Ti_2:7; 2Ti_1:11) Be instant (ejpisthqi). The force of the exhortation must be found, not in the verb itself taken alone, but by coupling eujkairwv ajkairwv closely with it. Be at your work, attend to it always, in and out of season; let nothing stop you; be always ready, always at hand. Reprove (elegxon); see 2Ti_3:16, note. (comp. Mat_18:15; Eph_5:11; 1Ti_5:20) Generally with the idea of bringing the fault home to the offender. Rebuke (ejpitimhson); a stronger word than elegxon, implying more of authority and less of argument (Mat_8:26:17:18; Luk_19:39; Jud_1:9, etc.) Exhort (parakaleson). Sometimes the sense of "exhort," and sometimes that of "comfort," predominates. (see 1Ti_2:1 1Ti_6:2, etc.) Every way of strengthening and establishing souls in the fear and love of God is to be tried, and that with all long suffering and teaching. (For makroqumia, see ch. 3:10, note.) For "teaching" or "doctrine" (didach), St. Paul more frequently uses didaskalia in the pastoral Epistles; (1Ti_1:10 1Ti_4:6, 1Ti_4:13, 16 5:17 1Ch_3:10, 1Ch_3:16, etc.) but there does not seem to be any great difference of meaning. Possibly didach points more to the act of teaching. The use of it here, coupled with "long suffering," directs that the man of God, whether he preaches, reproves, rebukes, or exhorts, is always to be a patient teacher of God"s Word and truth.
HOMILIES BY W.M. STATHAM Ver. 2.
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The apostolic injunction.
the Word." Timothy had not to create a gospel, but to preach one; and the "Word" is broad and vast enough for any preacher. The cross has for its circumference all truth, and is to be carried into all spheres of life.
I PREACH IT WITH INSTANCY. It is not a mere philosophy to interest students as an esoteric study; nor is it a mere elaborate theological thesis to be proven true. It has to do with "the present salvation" and the future well being of man. Instancy: for:
1. The season may be only now. Tomorrow preacher or hearer, or both, may be gone.
2. The truth can never be out of season. We need it always in all places,in all our duties, temptations, and trials.
II PREACH IT WITH AUTHORITY. That is, with the authority of truth, not your own ex-cathedra authority. "Meekly;" but not as though your congregations were patrons to be pleased, or Sanhedrims to try your opinions. Modestly; but with authority; not, as I said, your own authority, but the authority of truth, which has its own witness within. So you will reprove men fearlessly, never hiding them from themselves by cunning words of flattery. And you will "rebuke for evil soon spreads if it be not exposed and condemned at once just as Nathan boldly faced David, and said, "Thou art the man.
III PREACH IT WITH EXHORTATION. The teacher is not to be merely a scornful satirist of immorality a sort of Juvenal. Nor is he to be a lightning conductor of Divine wrath; he is to seek to save men. He has not done his work when he has revealed the Law of God against evil. He is to remember that the Christ he preaches is the Son of man who is come, "not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.
1. Long suffering is to be the spirit of his method. Remembering that humanity is frail and fallen, the preacher must be sympathetic, as himself needing mercy.
2. Doctrine is to be his remedy. The great revelation of a Divine Saviour and the promised Spirit, the Comforter. W.M.S.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 2. Preach the word. Proclaim the Word, as a…
2. Preach the word. Proclaim the Word, as a herald of Christ. This is implied in the Greek. The Word is the Gospel and its teachings. Nothing else must be preached. The excellence of the Scriptures has just been mentioned (3:16, 17). These equip the preacher for his work. Be instant, etc. Preach on all occasions. Be urgent in the work.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.