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Preach the Word
This letter section gives a weighty command about teaching God’s word. It warns that some people will reject truth, then sets that command beside the writer’s own readiness to finish his course and receive the Lord’s reward.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In 2 Timothy 4:1-8, the writer gives a solemn charge before God and the Lord Jesus Christ. He commands urgent, patient teaching, warns that some will turn from sound doctrine to fables, then speaks in the first person about his approaching departure, his faithfulness, and the crown awaiting all who love the Lord’s appearing.
2 Timothy 4:1–8Main takeaway
This passage calls God’s people to hold firmly to the truth, carry out their ministry faithfully, and look ahead to the Lord’s righteous judgement with hope.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A charge given before God and ChristThe command begins with great seriousness. It is spoken before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom.
Explanation
The command begins with great seriousness. It is spoken before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom. That means the instruction is not casual. It stands in the light of Christ’s future judgement and rule.
02Preach the word with urgency and patienceThe central instruction is simple and direct: preach the word. The hearer is to be urgent in season and out of season, whether the moment seems suitable or not.
Explanation
The central instruction is simple and direct: preach the word. The hearer is to be urgent in season and out of season, whether the moment seems suitable or not. Reproving, rebuking, and exhorting are all part of this work, but they must be done with patience and teaching.
03Some will reject sound teachingThe warning is clear. A time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine. Instead, they will gather teachers who fit their own desires, described here as having itching ears.
Explanation
The warning is clear. A time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine. Instead, they will gather teachers who fit their own desires, described here as having itching ears. They will turn away from the truth itself and turn aside to fables.
04Stay steady and finish faithfullyIn contrast to those who turn away, the command is to be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfil ministry.
Explanation
In contrast to those who turn away, the command is to be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfil ministry. Then the writer gives his own example: his departure has come, yet he says he has fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith.
05Hope in the righteous judgeThe passage ends with hope. A crown of righteousness is stored up, and the Lord, the righteous judge, will give it on that day.
Explanation
The passage ends with hope. A crown of righteousness is stored up, and the Lord, the righteous judge, will give it on that day. This promise is not limited to the writer alone. It is also for all those who have loved the Lord’s appearing.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does verse 1 make this command feel so weighty?
Notice before whom the charge is given and what the Lord Jesus Christ is said to do at his appearing and his Kingdom.
02What does verse 2 show about both the timing and the manner of preaching the word?
Look for the phrases about urgency in every season and the way correction and encouragement are to be given.
03What contrast appears between verses 3 to 4 and verse 5?
Compare turning away from truth and following fables with being sober, suffering hardship, and fulfilling ministry.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Timothy 4:1–8
1I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:
2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.
3For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts,
4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.
5But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
7I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
8From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.