2 Timothy 4:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Observe, I. How awfully this charge is introduced (2Ti. 4:1): I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Observe, The best of men have need to be awed into the discharge of their duty. The work of a minister is not an indifferent thing, but absolutely necessary. Woe be to him if he preach not the gospel, 1Cor. 9:16. To induce him to faithfulness, he must consider, 1. That the eye of God and Jesus Christ was upon... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Timothy 4:1-5

4:1-5 I charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead--I charge you by his appearing and by his Kingdom--herald forth the word; be urgent in season and out of season; convict, rebuke, exhort, and do it all with a patience and a teaching which never fail. For there will come a time when men will refuse to listen to sound teaching, but, because they have ears which have to be continually titillated with novelties, they will bury themselves under a mound... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Timothy 4:1-5

There can be few New Testament passages where the duties of the Christian teacher are more clearly set out than here. The Christian teacher is to be urgent. The message he brings is literally a matter of life and death. The teachers who really get their message across are those who have the note of earnestness in their voice. Spurgeon had a real admiration for Martineau, who was a Unitarian and therefore denied the divinity of Jesus Christ which Spurgeon believed in with passionate... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Paul goes on to describe the foolish listeners. He warns Timothy that the day is coming when men will refuse to listen to sound teaching and will collect teachers who will titillate their ears with precisely the easy-going, comfortable things they want to hear. In Timothy's day it was tragically easy to find such teachers. They were called sophists (compare Greek #4680 ) and wandered from city to city, offering to teach anything for pay. Isocrates said of them: "They try to attract... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:1

I charge thee therefore before God ,.... Whose word the Scriptures are, and by whom they are inspired; who had made Timothy an able minister of the New Testament, and to whom he was accountable for his ministry: and the Lord Jesus Christ ; who is equal with God, and bestows ministerial gifts on men, and from whom Timothy had his; whose Gospel he preached; in whose cause he was embarked; and before whom he must appear, to give an account of his ministry, talents, and souls under his care:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word ,.... Either Christ the essential Word, who is the sum and substance of the Gospel ministry; or the word of truth and faith, the Gospel of salvation, the word of righteousness, peace, and reconciliation by Christ; which is to be preached, or published, in like manner as heralds proclaim the will of their princes; openly, publicly, and with a loud voice, without adding to it, or taking from speaking out the whole, and keeping back no part of it; and that with all courage and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:1

I charge thee therefore before God - Whose herald thou art; and before the Lord Jesus Christ, whose salvation thou art to proclaim, and who is coming to judge the world - all that shall be found then alive, and all that have died from the foundation of the world. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word - Κηρυξον τον λογον· Proclaim the doctrine, the doctrine of Christ crucified, for the sins of the whole world; the doctrine, that the Gentiles are invited to be fellow heirs with the Jews, and that for Jews and Gentiles there is no salvation but by faith in Christ. Be instant in season, out of season - Επιστηθι ευκαιρως, ακαιρως . Be urgent whether the times be prosperous or adverse, whenever there is an opportunity; and when there is none, strive to make one. The... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:1

Verse 1 1I charge thee, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ It is proper to observe carefully the word therefore, by means of which he appropriately connects Scripture with preaching. This also refutes certain fanatics, who haughtily boast that they no longer need the aid of teachers, because the reading of scripture is abundantly sufficient. But Paul, after having spoken of the usefulness of Scripture, infers not only that all ought to read it, but that teachers ought to administer... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 4:2

Verse 2 2Be instant in season, out of season By these words he recommends not only constancy, but likewise earnestness, so as to overcome all hindrances and difficulties; for, being, by nature, exceedingly effeminate or slothful, we easily yield to the slightest opposition, and sometimes we gladly seek apologies for our slothfulness. Let us now consider how many arts Satan employs to stop our course, and how slow to follow, and how soon wearied are those who are called. Consequently the gospel... read more

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