Paul’s Admonition to Preachers

To the young preacher Timothy, Paul wrote, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”

Firstly, Paul issued a charge.  The word charge comes from a word denoting “to testify, i.e. earnestly religiously, to charge” follow by an imperative.  The same idea is used in I Timothy 5:21 regarding doing things without partiality.

Secondly, the charge involves preaching the word.  The word preach in this text denotes “to herald, i.e. of divine truth… proclaim, publish.”  That which is to be proclaimed is specified. It therefore excludes anything else (Galatians 1:6-9, 2 John 9-11).

Thirdly, note what the preaching of the word is to do.  It is to reprove.  It can mean “To convict, refute, confute… generally with a suggestion of the shame of the person convicted.”  Or “to find fault with, correct.”  “By word; to reprehend severely, chide; admonish, reprove, Jude 22, I Timothy 4:20, II Timothy 4:2.”  It is to be used to point out faults that must be brought to light, not just some faults but any fault.  It is to be done without partiality.

Then there is the word rebuke.  This word denotes, “to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely.”  The first word reprove indicates offering the proof this word is the convicting of the guilty person.  Then the call to action is the word exhort.  This word denotes “to call to one’s side, call for, summons, to admonish, to exhort.”  Hence, the evidence was presented, people were convicted and then came the admonition to action.  For the illustration of this consider Pentecost in Acts 2.  The evidence given Acts 2:22-36, convicting verse 37.

Fourthly, consider the attitude with which the preaching is to be done, with all long suffering and doctrine.  The preacher must be patient and persistent in his teaching.  He doesn’t become impatient but allows time for the power of the Gospel to do its’ work.

A grave responsibility rests upon any preacher of the Gospel or for the matter anyone who stands to publically deliver a Biblical lesson.  He needs to need Paul’s charge in II Timothy 4:1-2.  We as preachers will stand before the ever present one to answer for what we have taught and how we taught it. May we give diligence that we honor and glorify Him in our efforts?

Bill