Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Timothy 4:2

"preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." — 2 Timothy 4:2 (ASV)

The basic charge is: “Preach [GK 3062] the Word.” Preachers are not to air their own opinions but to proclaim God’s eternal, authoritative Word of truth as contained in the Scriptures. The minister has to be on duty constantly, ready for any emergency at any time. In addition to preaching the Word, Timothy is to “correct” (GK 1794) or reprove, “rebuke” (GK 2203) or admonish, and “encourage” (GK 4151) or comfort and exhort. That is, both the positive and the negative must be included. But preachers must do these things with great “patience” (GK 3429) and careful “instruction” (GK 1439).