“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 NIV).
The next directive given to us in 2 Timothy 4:2 involves being prepared to represent Christ “in season and out of season.” In other words, we should be ready to communicate spiritual truths when it is convenient and when it is not. Much like an athlete who is ready and prepared when called to enter a competition, we should also be ready to accurately represent Christ to others.
The next two items on this list involve reproof (or correction) and rebuke. One Pastoral commentator expands on these concepts with the following insight: “(This represents the) negative side of preaching the Word… The Gr. word for ‘reprove’ refers to correcting behavior or false doctrine by using careful biblical argument to help a person understand the error of his actions. The Gr. word for ‘rebuke’ deals more with correcting the person’s motives by convicting him of his sin and leading him to repentance.” (1)
There are two equal and opposite concerns regarding this aspect of preaching and teaching. The first involves those who are reluctant to correct others when it is appropriate to do so. A person who falls into this category would do well to consider the account of Eli, an Old Testament priest. Eli failed to correct the inappropriate behavior of those who were under his authority and ultimately paid a terrible price (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-34, 3:11-14, 4:11-22).
The opposite extreme involves the type of person who takes pleasure in correcting others. Those who possess this kind of overly-corrective attitude should contemplate the message of James 3:17-18: “…the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (NIV).
The next attribute is exhortation or encouragement. This represents the affirmative aspect of preaching and teaching and typically involves a call to act upon the truths of Scripture.
2 Timothy 4:2 then closes with the procedure for implementing these directives: “…with great patience and careful instruction.” In the words of one source, “great patience” (or “longsuffering”) “…speaks of that temper which does not easily succumb under suffering, of that self-restraint which does not hastily retaliate a wrong.” (2) This is coupled with “careful instruction,” a reference to the serious nature of this subject and our responsibility to give it the respect and attention it deserves.
(1) MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (2 Ti 4:2). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
(2) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [note on 2 Timothy 4:2] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.