The final charge (chap.4)
The final chapter of 2-Timothy is a powerful heart-touching and inspiring last words of Paul. Any great man’s last words are worth hearing and fulfilling. They are like a window that helps us to look into our heart and evaluate our lives. Paul gives a solemn charge to Timothy. In this chapter, Paul mentions more than 17-people which shows Paul’s burden for the ministry.
Preach the word of God: (4:1-4):
Paul sat in a cold dungeon prison, he is writing to his young friend in the presence of God. He knew that the Lord’s return is imminent. He had been in the ministry for more than 30-years and he had written very exhaustively in 1 & 2 Thessalonians. When the Lord Jesus Christ appears again, he will judge both the living and dead ones. He will judge according to what they have done. Every one whether living or dead must stand before him. Knowing this we must be more careful to what the Lord expects us to do. Further, he is not only the judge, but also the coming King, which should encourage us to work for Him more and more. It is not merely to know the word or approve the word of God, but to preach the word of God. Preaching is not the proclamation of theory or discussion of doubts. Preaching is the proclamation of the Word, the truth as the truth has been revealed. Paul the word of God includes the following virtues:
- Be instant: Preach the word of God in all seasons, when we are ready, when we are not ready, when it is easy, when it is not easy, when it is convenient, when it is not convenient. In all times, in all circumstances, in all environments look forward to preach. Be instant means be ready or be urgent.
Ex: There was once a clergyman who was wonderfully saved. When the Lord has changed his life he started preaching the gospel to his whole church and they all got saved. Then he started preaching in neighbouring churches, and the clergymen of those parishes were offended. They asked the bishop to make the man stop. When the bishop confronted him he said, “Well bishop, I only preach during two seasons of the year.” The bishop said, “I’m glad to know that, what seasons are they?” He replied, “In season and out of season!”
- Reprove: Convince the people in all ways. Make the word of God to bear on the lives of people. Do not preach with some sort of interesting ideas or fascinating theories, but preach plainly the word of God and convince the people.
- Rebuke: Use the Word in order to bring corrections in our lives.
- Exhort: The word of God gives comfort. We can urge the people and give them the comfort with all the longsuffering doctrine. This needs patience which ultimately gives success to bring souls under the fold.
When Paul gives the solemn charge to Timothy to preach the Word, it also implies what he had said earlier.
- Timothy must not be ashamed of our Lord and Paul who was in prison (1:8).
- Timothy must hold the pattern of sound doctrines (1:13).
- Timothy must delegate to faithful men all the things which Paul taught him (2:2).
- He must rightly divide the Word of truth because it is given by the inspiration of God. (3:16)
Timothy needed to keep focused on the Word of God because man by his natural instinct, does not want God’s revelation. He would rather hear what he wants to hear, something to scratch his itching ears. “Endless curiosity, an insatiable desire of variety get their ears tickled with the language and accent of the person, abandoning the good and faithful preacher for the fine speaker.” Once people leave the Word of God they often embrace fantasies, entertainments from Christian performers who will tickle their ears. Very often a preacher who simply preaches the Bible is ignored but a religious entertainer becomes a celebrity. When men reject God’s truth, it isn’t that they believe in nothing, they will believe in anything. They will turn their ears away from the truth choose not to listen to the truth but will prefer that which is new or strange. So, they will believe false ideas and refuse the word of God. Paul says Timothy that he must be aware of what is happening in this world. We need to be in control of things at all times with the grace of God. As we live for the truth, we should also be prepared to suffer for truth. The Lord has given this task to all the people to spread the good news of Christ.