2 Timothy Chapter 4 · Verse 2

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

κήρυξον Preach G2784
κήρυξον Preach
Strong's: G2784
Word #: 1 of 14
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον the word G3056
λόγον the word
Strong's: G3056
Word #: 3 of 14
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ἐπίστηθι be instant G2186
ἐπίστηθι be instant
Strong's: G2186
Word #: 4 of 14
to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)
εὐκαίρως in season G2122
εὐκαίρως in season
Strong's: G2122
Word #: 5 of 14
opportunely
ἀκαίρως out of season G171
ἀκαίρως out of season
Strong's: G171
Word #: 6 of 14
inopportunely
ἔλεγξον reprove G1651
ἔλεγξον reprove
Strong's: G1651
Word #: 7 of 14
to confute, admonish
ἐπιτίμησον rebuke G2008
ἐπιτίμησον rebuke
Strong's: G2008
Word #: 8 of 14
to tax upon, i.e., censure or admonish; by implication, forbid
παρακάλεσον exhort G3870
παρακάλεσον exhort
Strong's: G3870
Word #: 9 of 14
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
ἐν with G1722
ἐν with
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 10 of 14
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
πάσῃ all G3956
πάσῃ all
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 11 of 14
all, any, every, the whole
μακροθυμίᾳ longsuffering G3115
μακροθυμίᾳ longsuffering
Strong's: G3115
Word #: 12 of 14
longanimity, i.e., (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 13 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διδαχῇ doctrine G1322
διδαχῇ doctrine
Strong's: G1322
Word #: 14 of 14
instruction (the act or the matter)

Analysis & Commentary

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Paul's charge crystallizes into specific commands. "Preach the word" (kēryxon ton logon, κήρυξον τὸν λόγον). Kēryssō (κηρύσσω) means herald, proclaim publicly, announce with authority. "The word" (ton logon, τὸν λόγον) with definite article refers to the specific message—God's revealed word in Scripture. Ministers must herald Scripture's message, not personal opinions or cultural wisdom.

"Be instant in season, out of season" (epi st ēthi eukairōs akairōs, ἐπίστηθι εὐκαίρως ἀκαίρως). Ephistēmi (ἐφίστημι) means stand ready, be prepared, be at hand. Eukairōs (εὐκαίρως) means opportunely, at convenient time. Akairōs (ἀκαίρως) means inopportunely, at inconvenient time. Timothy must preach whether convenient or not, whether popular or not, whether circumstances seem favorable or unfavorable. Faithfulness doesn't depend on perceived receptivity.

"Reprove, rebuke, exhort" (elegxon, epitimēson, parakaleson, ἔλεγξον, ἐπιτίμησον, παρακάλεσον)—three modes of preaching. Elegchō (ἐλέγχω) means expose error, convict of sin, prove wrong. Epitimaō (ἐπιτιμάω) means rebuke, warn sternly, censure. Parakaleō (παρακαλέω) means encourage, comfort, exhort. Faithful preaching includes negative (exposing sin) and positive (encouraging obedience). The manner: "with all longsuffering and doctrine" (en pasē makrothymia kai didachē, ἐν πάσῃ μακροθυμίᾳ καὶ διδαχῇ). Makrothymia (μακροθυμία) means patience, forbearance—don't give up on hard cases. Didachē (διδαχή) means teaching, instruction—correction must be grounded in Scripture, not mere opinion.

Historical Context

Ancient heralds (kērykes) proclaimed royal decrees with authority, expecting obedience without debate. Paul applies this to gospel ministry: preachers are Christ's heralds announcing His message. The command to preach "in season, out of season" challenged cultural expectations that rhetoric should suit audience mood. Paul demands counter-cultural faithfulness: proclaim truth regardless of receptivity. This contradicted sophist techniques of telling audiences what they wanted to hear. Christian preaching serves God, not audience preferences.

Questions for Reflection