CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
2 Timothy 4:1. I charge thee before God.—As in 2 Timothy 2:14. The word of itself does not mean to swear, but only as connected with “in the presence of God.”
2 Timothy 4:2. Preach the word.—I.e. herald the word of reconciliation. Be instant in season, out of season.—Stand over them opportunely and inopportunely, on the bare chance of doing good. Reprove.—Includes the blame of everything blameworthy and the conviction of it. In juristic language confute. Rebuke.—Blame, with a decided manifestation of dislike.
2 Timothy 4:3. Sound doctrine.—R.V. margin, “healthful teaching.” As in 2 Timothy 1:13, 2 Timothy 2:17, we are reminded, by the terminology, of St. Luke’s presence. Having itching ears.—This tickling is usually taken to mean a pleasant sensation.
2 Timothy 4:5. But watch thou.—R.V. “But be thou sober.” The reference is to the clearness and wakefulness of attention which attends on sobriety. Endure afflictions.—Before, the old apostle had said “with me,” now he says “suffer hardship,” as though Timothy would have to meet it when Paul no longer shared it. See next verse.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 2 Timothy 4:1-5
The Sublime Mission of the Preacher.—
I. Is to be fulfilled as in the presence of the Divine Judge to whom alone he is ultimately accountable (2 Timothy 4:1).—The apostle speaks as one who will himself soon be in the immediate presence of God, and as if he already felt the overwhelming awe of that presence. Before that sacred presence every preacher must sooner or later stand, and give an account of his stewardship. All his work should be done with reference to the day of the Lord’s appearing. “Christ’s kingdom is real now, but not visible. It shall then be both real and visible. Now He reigns in the midst of His enemies, expecting till they shall be overthrown. Then He shall reign with His adversaries prostrate.”
II. Necessitates the mastery of every method in order to attain efficiency (2 Timothy 4:2).—He must learn to be urgent in proclaiming the word in all seasons. As Chrysostom says, “Just as the fountains, though none may draw from them, still flow on, and the rivers, though none drink of them, still run, so must we do all on our part in speaking, though none give heed to us.” He must study how to reprove and confute the gainsayers, as well as how to instruct the willing hearers; be patient and forbearing with the one class, and unceasingly diligent with the other. Every effort should be made to gain the best qualifications for making known the gospel and winning souls.
III. Should be faithfully prosecuted in times of defection and error (2 Timothy 4:3-4).—“He who despises sound teaching,” says Bengel, “leaves sound teachers; they seek instructors like themselves.” Teaching that aims simply to please can never instruct. Love of novelty and change is inimicable to progress in Divine things. “Itch in the ears is as bad as in any other part of the body, and perhaps worse.” When so many are turning away from the truth, it is the more incumbent on the true preacher to be in earnest in faithfully declaring the truth. Error must be confuted by the clear and emphatic enunciation of sound doctrine.
IV. Demands constant vigilance and courageous devotion to duty (2 Timothy 4:5).—Paul, feeling that he must soon be removed from the scene of conflict, calls on Timothy to take his place and acquit himself with vigilance and courage. A time comes when our trusty friend and adviser is removed, and we must depend more upon ourselves—“swim without the corks.” All our previous experience has been a preparation for this. We must not shrink from the task, but brace ourselves up to our work, and fall back more completely on God.
Lessons.—
1. Faithful preaching is an antidote to error.
2. The preacher should strive to excel in the best method of putting truth.
3. The preacher should have eternity always in view.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
2 Timothy 4:4. The Deficient and Dangerous Nature of the Infidel Scheme.
I. It does not teach man as a sinner how to worship God.
II. It is an insufficient rule of moral duty.
III. The light of reason cannot fix and ascertain the doctrine of a future state of rewards and punishments.
IV. Is insufficient to investigate the origin of moral evil, or to show how it can be remedied.
V. Sinners cannot be saved by any obedience they can yield to the dictates of reason and conscience.
VI. The light of reason cannot show that God will extend His pardoning mercy to sinners.—P. Hutchison.
2 Timothy 4:5. A Champion for the Truth—
I. Must exercise ceaseless vigilance.—“Watch thou in all things.”
II. Must be patient in suffering.—“Endure afflictions.”
III. Must be active in aggressive mission work.—“Do the work of an evangelist.”
IV. Must leave nothing undone that will advance the truth.—“Make full proof of thy ministry.”