2 Timothy 4:1-8. Questions 1-2

1. How does 4:1-8 relate to what Paul has been saying in chapters 1-3?

 

 See the solemn way Paul introduces the charge to Timothy: "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom" (v.1). cf. 1 Tim 5:21: " In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality."

Paul is saying to Timothy. "You must do this" If we could compel obedience from someone - to have it so that our wishes were fulfilled by that person, what would we ask? For Paul, it was all about the gospel. What is the meaning of the charge?

• "in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus" - the ultimate witness, not man. It is a righteous request.
  
• "who is to judge the living and the dead" - the ultimate judge of Timothy's actions and worth. It  alludes to the supreme authority of the One before whom the charge is given.
  
• "by his appearing and kingdom"  - the ultimate reality/perspective Timothy should be concerned with, (cf. 4:8), It is made in the light of a promise through faith. There is an implied sense of urgency.
  

Paul has exhorted Timothy to guard, suffer for and be equipped for the gospel, as he himself did. This will be done in contrast to the works of false teachers. Now he focuses on how Timothy is to preach the gospel in his place -  a specific and primary "good work" of leadership. Chapter 4 summarises the lessons of the first 3 chapters with respect to how to apply the Word. At the end of the letter Paul makes his final appeal - a kind of summary 'therefore do this'.

2. What does Paul urge in 4:2-5? (List as many of his exhortations as you can)

There are 8 exhortations:

• preach the word. This refers back to scripture. What is preaching? How does it differ from teaching?

I think we might say that the goal of teaching is to transmit knowledge so that it is understood and remembered. The goal of preaching is to convict the heart.  Effective teaching should involve emotions of excitement and wonder. Effective preaching must involve a emotional component. There should be an apprehension of the glory of God and His truth. This calls for faith in unbelievers and it calls for believers to live out that faith. Emotionalism without truth ('exhortation without exposition', Edmund Chan) is manipulation. Truth without emotion does not lead to fiducia, where there is emotional investment. Preaching involves proclamation with conviction. There is a moral force involved, a call to obedience and not only a call to understanding.

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) is instructive:

"One thing that has been complained of, is ministers addressing themselves rather to the affections of their hearers than to their understandings, and striving to raise their passions to the utmost height, rather by a very affectionate manner of speaking and a great appearance of earnestness in voice and gesture, than by clear reasoning and informing their judgment: by which means, it is objected, that the affections are moved without a proportionable enlightening of the understanding."

"And I do not think ministers are to be blamed for raising the affections of their hearers too high, if that which they are affected with be only that which is worthy of affection, and their affections are not raised beyond a proportion to their importance, or worthiness of affection. I should think myself in the way of my duty, to raise the affections of my hearers as high as possibly I can, provided that they are affected with nothing but truth, and with affections that are not disagreeable to the nature of the subject."

• be ready in season and out of season - not a call to be regardless of sensitivity and timing to share the gospel, but to see that at all times, the preaching of the Word is not to cease, whether it appears that people are ready to listen or not.
  

• reprove (cf. 3:16) - something we are reluctant to do in this day and age. Instead, people prefer to hear what makes them comfortable (4:3)
  
• rebuke -which carries shades of meaning ranging from honouring, appraising, restraining, admonishing and chiding.
  
• exhort - to admonish, beg, entreat, beseech, to console, encourage, strengthen, instruct.
  
• be sober minded -the opposite of being drunk. To be sensible,calm and collected in spirit; rested, self-controlled, not impulsive, to have presence of mind, not to be caught off-guard.
  
• endure suffering - even if he gives offence by being faithful to his call. Timothy must 'endure' the consequences of people who will not 'endure' sound preaching (4:3)
  
• do the work of an evangelist (cf Philip in Acts 11:8, Eph 4:11). The term 'evangelist' likely had a more technical meaning. But although Timothy may not be one, he is still called to do the work of one who shares the gospel regularly.
  
• fulfill your ministry. Perhaps Paul is telling Timothy, "fulfill your ministry, just as I have fulfilled mine... bring to completion all that God has put into your hands".
  

 Which of these injunctions speaks to you the most?