2 Timothy 4 2

2 Timothy 4:2 kjv

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2 Timothy 4:2 nkjv

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2 niv

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage?with great patience and careful instruction.

2 Timothy 4:2 esv

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2 nlt

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

2 Timothy 4 verses

2 Timothy 4 2 Meaning

This verse contains a direct and urgent charge from Paul to Timothy, instructing him on the core duties of his ministry. It mandates the faithful proclamation of God's Word with absolute readiness, regardless of favorable circumstances. This proclamation involves a multifaceted approach: stern correction of error, sharp warning against sin, and earnest encouragement, all to be performed with unwavering endurance and grounded in sound doctrine. It emphasizes a minister's continuous, proactive, and comprehensive commitment to divine truth.

2 Timothy 4 2 Context

2 Timothy 4:2 is part of Paul's concluding instructions and final charge to his protégé, Timothy, written from prison shortly before Paul's expected martyrdom. Paul emphasizes the grave responsibility of a minister to remain faithful amidst increasing apostasy, false teachings, and the decline of true Christian devotion (2 Tim 3:1-9, 13; 4:3-4). The broader context of 2 Timothy chapter 4 underscores the urgency of gospel proclamation (vv. 1, 5), Paul's confidence in his own nearing end and eternal reward (vv. 6-8), and practical directives regarding people and future travel (vv. 9-22). Verse 2, in particular, outlines the crucial methodology and unwavering commitment required for effective and biblically sound ministry, preparing Timothy for the challenges of leading the church after Paul's departure. It directly addresses the need to counter those who would prefer "itching ears" over sound doctrine.

2 Timothy 4 2 Word analysis

• Preach (κηρύξον - kēryxon): An urgent imperative. It means to proclaim or declare publicly as a herald or envoy, with divine authority and clear voice, not merely to teach privately. It implies a sense of official, urgent announcement from God.
• the word (τὸν λόγον - ton logon): Refers to the divine message, the Gospel of Christ, the revealed will of God found in Scripture. It is not human wisdom but God's authoritative message that is to be proclaimed.
• be ready (ἐπίστηθι - epistēthi): An imperative, meaning to stand by, be instant, be at hand, be present, or persevere. It conveys a state of continuous preparedness and readiness for action, indicating unwavering commitment and urgency.
• in season and out of season (εὐκαίρως ἀκαίρως - eukairōs akairōs): An idiomatic Greek phrase. Literally "opportunely and inopportunely." It means irrespective of personal convenience, favorable circumstances, or perceived receptivity of the audience; at all times, without regard for difficulties or unpopularity.
• reprove (ἔλεγξον - elegxon): An imperative, meaning to expose, convict, bring to light, demonstrate guilt, or refute error. It involves a strong presentation of truth that convicts the conscience, often involving showing someone their fault with logical and moral clarity.
• rebuke (ἐπιτίμησον - epitīmēson): An imperative, stronger than 'reprove'. It means to admonish sternly, to censure sharply, to reprimand with authority, or to upbraid. It's a direct, forceful warning against wrong behavior or false teaching.
• exhort (παρακάλεσον - parakaleson): An imperative. Meaning to call near, comfort, encourage, appeal to, beseech, or strengthen. This is the positive, pastoral aspect of ministry, offering comfort, counsel, and encouragement towards righteous living.
• with complete patience (ἐν πάσῃ μακροθυμίᾳ - en pasē makrothymia): Makrothymia signifies longsuffering, forbearance, enduring affliction, provocations, and delay without retaliating or giving up. "Complete" (pasē) emphasizes the totality of this endurance. It's vital because reproving and rebuking can evoke resistance and requires a resilient spirit.
• and teaching (καὶ διδαχῇ - kai didachē): Didachē refers to instruction or doctrine. This indicates that all reproof, rebuke, and exhortation must be firmly grounded in and delivered by means of sound doctrine, providing proper instruction rather than mere scolding or empty encouragement.

• "Preach the word; be ready": This phrase highlights the foundational call to herald God's truth with unwavering readiness. It's not a suggestion but a divine mandate for immediate and constant action.
• "in season and out of season": This specifies the unconditional nature of the preacher's availability and commitment. It underscores that ministry is not about timing convenience, but constant readiness for any situation or audience.
• "reprove, rebuke, and exhort": This triplet outlines the comprehensive scope of the Word's application in ministry. These actions represent a balanced approach: confrontation of error and sin, and positive instruction and encouragement. This is not "either/or" but "all of the above."
• "with complete patience and teaching": These two accompanying phrases qualify how the previous three actions are to be carried out. "Patience" provides the necessary emotional and spiritual fortitude to handle difficult interactions without anger or discouragement. "Teaching" ensures that the correction and encouragement are always doctrinally sound, instructional, and aimed at spiritual growth.

2 Timothy 4 2 Bonus section

This verse implies that authentic ministry will often be challenging and unpopular, directly countering the "itching ears" mentality mentioned later in the chapter (v.3). The emphasis on "patience" highlights the long-term perspective required; change and conviction often do not happen immediately. The call to "preach the word" grounds all ministry in God's revealed truth, establishing the Bible as the ultimate authority for correction, guidance, and spiritual formation, not human opinion or contemporary trends. The sequential order of reprove, rebuke, and exhort suggests a progression from confronting wrong to encouraging right, demonstrating that firm correction must be balanced with compassionate guidance and instruction. The imperatives in the Greek, kēryxon, epistēthi, elegxon, epitīmēson, parakaleson, convey a divine urgency and command for the faithful minister to act decisively and consistently in their sacred calling.

2 Timothy 4 2 Commentary

2 Timothy 4:2 encapsulates Paul's solemn charge for faithful gospel ministry. It begins with the fundamental call to "preach the word," meaning to publicly proclaim God's authoritative message with heraldic urgency. The directive to "be ready in season and out of season" eliminates excuses, demanding ceaseless availability and commitment regardless of external conditions or personal preference. The core activities of ministry are then outlined as a three-fold mandate: "reprove" (expose error), "rebuke" (sternly warn against sin), and "exhort" (encourage and comfort). This shows a balanced yet firm approach necessary for spiritual growth. Crucially, these actions are to be conducted "with complete patience and teaching," emphasizing that truth must be delivered with enduring love and grounded in solid doctrinal instruction. This verse is a timeless blueprint for Christian leadership, demanding unwavering courage, theological precision, and persistent, patient application of divine truth for the edification and protection of the Church.

• Example for "in season and out of season": A pastor visiting hospital patients, sharing comfort from Scripture even when physically tired.
• Example for "reprove, rebuke, and exhort": Addressing a congregation about a false doctrine being spread, directly refuting it (reprove), warning against its dangers (rebuke), then reaffirming the true biblical teaching and encouraging adherence to it (exhort).