Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Timothy 4:1-5

"I charge [thee] in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables. But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry." — 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ASV)

People will turn away from the truth; they will grow weary of the plain gospel of Christ, they will be greedy for fables, and take pleasure in them. People do so when they will not endure preaching that is searching, plain, and to the point. Those who love souls must be always watchful, must venture and bear all the painful effects of their faithfulness, and take all opportunities of making known the pure gospel.