2 Timothy 4:1-8

1 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;

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

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Context

  • How does the “Supreme Judge’ and His return inspire Paul’s charge? (Acts 17:30-31, 1 Timothy 6:14)

Reflection

  • How was the first charge: “preach the word” “instant in season and out of season” modeled throughout Paul’s life? (Acts 28:23, 28, 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:15-18)
  • Why are each of these “word charges” in V. 2 so critical…
    • Convince… (John 16:8)
    • Rebuke… (2 Timothy 2:25)
    • Exhort… (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
    • Patience… (2 Timothy 2:24)
    • Teaching… (1 Timothy 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:2)
  • What is the danger of “itching ears”? (Acts 20:28-30, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 10-12, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 7, 2 Timothy 3:1-9)
  • Why are each of the 4 charges of V. 5 so critical?…
  • Be watchful in all things… (1 Thessalonians 5:21/1 Peter 5:8)
  • Endure afflictions… (2 Timothy 2:3)
  • Do the work of an evangelist… (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
  • Fulfill your ministry… (Philippians 3:12-14)
  • What is a “good fight” and a “victorious race”? (1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:3-5, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Ephesians 6:12, Hebrews 12:1, 2)
  • Why does Paul compare his “departure” to a “drink offering”? (Numbers 15:5, 28:7, 14, Romans 12:1, Philippians 2:17)

Testimony Time

  • How “instant/ready” am I to preach the word and; do “the work of an evangelist”? (Romans 15:19, 1 Peter 3:15, Proverbs 11:30)
  • Do I love his appearing? (Philippians 3:20, James 5:8, 1 John 3:1-13)

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