Ep. 339. 2 Timothy 3-4 | Preach the Word

EPISODE 339

PREACH THE WORD: 2 TIMOTHY 3-4

Again, we find instructions to the young-ish (some people estimate Timothy was in his forties) pastor to "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." We do the text a disservice when we say this is Paul's instruction to all believers. Not only so, but we also put an undue burden on most believers that is not theirs to carry. Not all believers, not even most, are "preachers" of the word of God. The same beautiful gospel redeems all believers, and all have been declared righteous through faith, but not all have the same gifts.

Also, "The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but have itching ears. They will accumulate for themselves as teachers to suit their own passions, and they will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." We remember Paul addressing this in 1 Timothy 4 and, of course, in Galatians as well. Clearly, in Paul's day, the gospel was being twisted to suit the hearers, and the hearers were pleased to have it so. Why should we assume that today is any different? Wouldn't it make sense for us to argue that if people were readily twisting the message of Christ in the first century, then they certainly would be in the twenty-first century? I wonder why we so seldom recognize weak and powerless teaching in the church today. Perhaps, in at least a few cases, it is because the people in the pews have itching ears and absolutely no love for the truth of the gospel.

ADDITIONAL READING: Exodus 7:11