“I charge 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; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:1–2 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul’s inspired words to his young protégé Timothy emphasized the importance of a fervent commitment to Sola Scriptura. What is the believer to do with this solemn charge from God in vs. 1? What behavior is expected from the “man of God” by this God-inspired revelation?
In examining today’s featured text (vs. 2), each phrase must separately be understood in order to comprehend how they fit as a whole. There are five commands to be obeyed. They are all aorist active imperatives. This means these commands are to obeyed wholeheartedly and actively.
First, preach the word (κήρυξον λόγον; keryxon logon). This command is to herald, publicly proclaim, and to announce the entire written word of God. There are no exceptions and no excuses.
Second, be ready in season and out of season. To be ready (ἐπίστηθι; epistethi) means to stand attention and to continue in the task at hand. In the immediate context, the command to be ready is to preach the word. It means to always be ready to herald God’s truth. This not only applies to when the pastor is in the pulpit but when he is in the grocery store, hospital, or at a place of business.
Third, reprove. To reprove (ἔλεγξον; elenxon) means to rebuke and reproach. It means to convict, refute, to bring to light and to show a fault.
Fourth, rebuke. To rebuke (ἐπιτίμησον; epitimeson) similarly refers to denouncement and reproval of ungodly behavior.
Both terms refer to the negative purpose of preaching. Biblical preaching involves confronting sin. This refers not only to the sins of unbelievers who need conversion, but also to the sins of believers in Christ who need consecration.
Dr. John MacArthur writes, “The negative tone is indicated by two words “reprove, rebuke.” That’s part of the scope of preaching as to its tone. We’ve seen the scope of preaching as to its time, all the time, anywhere, any time. And now, it is tone, it is first of all negative. The preacher’s message is negative. He has to reprove and rebuke. Now what does it mean to reprove and what does it mean to rebuke? They’re very closely connected. We know that preaching has to deal with sin because in chapter 3 verse 16 it says all Scripture is profitable for reproof and for correction. So, it has a positive ministry of – of teaching and instructing and righteousness and a negative ministry of reproving and correcting.”
So, he says the preacher must reprove and rebuke. The idea here is – is really a two-fold idea. Reproof has to do with the mind, rebuke has to do with the heart. Or to put it another way, reproof has to do with the – the understanding that this is wrong, rebuke has to do with the conviction that you’re guilty. To reprove someone is to refute their error with reasonable biblical argument. It is – it is to reveal the wrong because it’s unbiblical. It is to show what God says and, therefore, reveal the sin. Rebuke is then to convict the sinner of the sin. So first you disclose the sinfulness of sin and then you disclose the sinfulness of the sinner. That’s the two-fold negative element of preaching.”
Lord, for the Years
Lyrics
1. Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided,
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.
2. Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us,
Lord of the word, receive your people’s praise.
3. Lord, for our land, in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care;
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.
4. Lord, for our world; when we disown and doubt him,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain;
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without him,
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.
5. Lord, for ourselves; in living power remake us,
self on the cross and Christ upon the throne;
past put behind us, for the future take us,
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
