Preaching the Word

Paul concludes his final letter to his protégé Timothy with a clarion call for preaching the word. This solemn charge has served as a clear and inspiring call for generations of preachers. Let’s learn what some of these preachers have said about this passage with the ESV Church History Study Bible.

The church historian Jean-Henri Merle D’Aubigne (1794–1872) noted, “The only true reformation is that which emanates from the Word of God.” The Reformers attributed the Reformation of the sixteenth century not to themselves but to the preaching of the Word of God. Luther famously quipped that he did nothing, while the Word did everything. This charge remains a staple rallying cry for seminaries and those engaged in pastoral and theological education.

Preaching: A Solemn Charge

I charge you 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.” 2 Timothy 4:1

This is, so to speak, the apostle’s last charge to Timothy—the last in this epistle, and not improbably the last absolutely—and he therefore puts it in the most solemn form, not only delivering it as in the presence of God and of Jesus Christ but also the appearing of Christ. (Patrick Fairbairn, Pastoral Epistles)

Preaching: A Toilsome Task

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2

Whether you are in danger, in prison, in chains, or going to your death, at that very time do not hesitate to admonish. Do not withhold your admonition. For it is then most seasonable, when your rebuke will be most successful, when the circumstance is at hand. “Exhort,” he says. After the manner of physicians, having shown the wound, he makes the incision; he applies the remedy. If you omit either of these, the other becomes useless. (John Chrysostom, Homilies on 2 Timothy) 

Preaching: A Divided Audience

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3–4

All the most foolish heretics who want themselves to be called Christians try to color the impertinencies of their inventions. At this, human sensibility especially shudders with the occasion of the sentence of the gospel where the Lord says, “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (Augustine, Tractates on John)

Preaching: A Demanding Calling

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5

This general view of the pastoral work will show at once its laboriousness, and its importance. To acquaint ourselves with the various wants of our people; to win their affections; to give a seasonable warning, encouragement, instruction, or consolation; to identify ourselves with their spiritual interests, in tender sympathy, and ministerial obligation; to do this with the constancy, seriousness, and fervid energy that the matter requires, is indeed a work of industry, patience, and self-denial. And yet, how else can we “make full proof of our ministry” but by ready obedience to the injunction “Watch yourself in all things; do the work of an evangelist”? (Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry)

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