2 Timothy 4:1-5

A Charge to Timothy

According to Thomas, the word charge means, "to testify earnestly, warn, adjure." The serious nature of this charge can be seen in Paul's calling upon the Father and Son as witnesses. Christ will judge both those who are dead and those yet alive at the time of his return (John 5:22-23; John 5:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

When Jesus comes again, he will be in the middle of his final acts as king and preparing to deliver the kingdom to his Father (1 Corinthians 15:23-26). Paul charged Timothy to herald, or proclaim, God's word to all men at all times. The herald should be ready with his message whether people are receptive or not. This will mean the preacher will have to exhibit a readiness to confront people about their wicked ways and try to convince them of their errors. Then, he will also have to warn against wrongdoing and urge them to stop sinning. This should be followed by an earnest urging to do what is right. All of this can only be accomplished through patient preaching of God's truth.

Like Moses, preachers sometimes face situations where they are tempted to add a few words of their own. Such should be resisted since, as was seen in 3:16-17, God's word is fully able to direct us in the right paths (2 Timothy 4:1-2).

Paul said the day was coming when some would not readily listen to healthy teaching. Instead, they would collect a group of teachers who would say what they wanted them to say, thereby scratching their ears. The words of false prophets sound good to their ears but go no deeper (Isaiah 30:9-10). Determined to satisfy their own desires, the people would look for teachers who would approve of their excesses instead of warning against them. Spain says the word for "turn away" literally means to reject. They would reject God's true will and begin to accept all manner of made up stories.

Instead of preaching what people wanted to hear, Paul urged Timothy to exercise self-control, which would avoid desires outside of God's will. Because of his faithfulness to the truth, Timothy would have to suffer persecution (John 15:18-19). He was urged to keep on openly proclaiming the truth until he had finished his mission (2 Timothy 4:3-5; Luke 9:62).