With all Longsuffering and Doctrine

2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

‘Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.’ Tenfold charge to Timothy: Preach the Word (4:2). Be instant in season – when you are disposed of. Be instant out of season – when you are indisposed. Reprove [Greek: elengcho] to convince, convict, refute, expose, to bring to shame the person reproved. It is found 17 times and translated as “convince” (John 8:46; 1Cor. 14:24; Tit. 1:9; Jas. 2:9); “convict” (John 8:9); “tell one’s fault” (Matt. 18:15); “reprove” (Luke 3:19; John 3:20; 16:8; Eph. 5:11, 13; 2Tim. 4:2); “rebuke” (1Tim. 5:20; Tit. 1:13; 2:15; Heb. 12:5; Jude 1:15; Rev. 3:19). Rebuke [Greek: epitimao] to penalize; find fault with; rebuke sharply. Translated “rebuke” (4:2; Matt. 8:26; 16:22; 17:18; 19:13; 20:31; Mark 1:25; 4:39; 8:32-33; 9:25; Luke 4:35-41; 8:24; 9:42, 9:55; 17:3; 18:15, 39; 19:39; 23:40; Jude 1:9); and “charge” (Matt. 12:16; Mark 3:12; 8:30; 10:48; Luke 9:21). Exhort with all longsuffering and teaching. Watch in all things (4:5). Endure afflictions. Do the work of an evangelist. Make full proof of your ministry.

This commission of Timothy came from Paul – who received his commission from Christ Himself – to spread whatever he received from Paul to the congregations (1Tim. 4:13). Today we have the written Word of God and should not trust anyone to teach us what God has given us in the Bible and not to listen to preachers that tells fables instead of preaching the gospel. This warning follows in 2Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”