I solemnly charge you

2 Timothy 4:1-5 1 I solemnly 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 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. NASU I solemnly charge you to attest, testify to, solemnly affirm (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon) o warn them (Luke 16:28), solemnly testified (Acts 2:40), I solemnly charge you (1 Timothy 5:21), solemnly charge them (2 Timothy 2:14) 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 We are in His presence - that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: 28 for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Acts 17:27-28) ASV o Am I a God who is near," declares the Lord, "And not a God far off? 24 "Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?" declares the Lord. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:23-24) NASU o Read Psalm 139:1-13 He will judge us every one! He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. (Acts 17:31) NASU o the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed for our testimony to you was believed. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10) NASU preach the word Preach NT:2784 to be a herald; to officiate as herald; to proclaim after the manner of a herald a. universally, to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done, Mark 7:36 b. specifically used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, Matt 11:1 (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon) It is not their own notions and fancies that they are to preach, but the pure plain word of God; and they must not corrupt it, but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, they speak in Christ, 2 Cor 2:17. Acts 20:20-21 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. NASU Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. NKJV Crescent Park church of Christ www.inspiritandintruth.org 1 P a g e

be ready "take a stand," "stand upon it or up to it," "carry on," "stick to it. (from Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament) Literally "stand by, be at hand, be present." "To come suddenly upon," Luke 2:38. Hence, "be ready." "Instant" signifies "urgent, importunate, persevering. (from Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament) in season seasonably, opportunely; when the opportunity occurs (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon) convenient and out of season unseasonably, (A. V. out of season) 2 Tim 4:2 (whether seasonable for men or not) (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon) There are all sorts of seasons kairoi, some difficult chalepoi ( perilous 2 Tim 3:1), some easy eukairee, 1 Cor 16:12 (from Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament) Timothy is not advised to disregard opportuneness, but to discharge his duty to those with whom he deals, whether it be welcome or not. (from Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament) reprove NT1651 elegcho to confute, admonish; KJV - convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary) to convict, refute, confute, generally with a suggestion of the shame of the person convicted ; to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon) Rather, "convict" of their errors. (from Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament) o John 3:20-21 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. NASU o 1 Cor 14:23-25 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. NASU o Ephesians 5:11-13 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. NASU Crescent Park church of Christ www.inspiritandintruth.org 2 P a g e

rebuke o 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. NASU NT 2008 epitimao to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely, 2 Tim 4:2 (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon) The word implies a "sharp, severe" rebuke, with, possibly, a suggestion in some cases of impending penalty To charge on pain of penalty for disobedience implies a menace, in this case of future judgment. (from Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament) o Luke 17:3-4 Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 "And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him. NASU o 1 Timothy 5:20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. NASU o 2 Peter 2:15-16 forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. NASU Convince wicked people of the evil and danger of their wicked courses. Endeavour, by dealing plainly with them, to bring them to repentance. Rebuke them with gravity and authority, in Christ's name exhort NT3870 parakaleo call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): KJV - beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary) to admonish, exhort, to urge one to pursue some course of conduct (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) o 1 Corinthians 4:12-14 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. KJV o 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. NASU o Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. NASU Crescent Park church of Christ www.inspiritandintruth.org 3 P a g e

with great patience o Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. KJV appealing to NASU Longsuffering is to be maintained against the temptations to anger presented by the obstinacy and perverseness of certain hearers; and such are to be met, not merely with rebuke, but also with sound and reasonable instruction in the truth. (from Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament) and instruction. (the act of) teaching, instruction, 2 Tim 4:2 (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon) o Romans 6:17-18 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. KJV o Titus 1:9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. NASU 3 For the time will come when they will not endure Endure to hold oneself up against, i.e. (figuratively) put up with: KJV - bear with, endure, forbear, suffer. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary) to hold up" (ana, "up," echo, "to hold or have"), always in the middle voice in the NT, is rendered "endure" in 2 Thess 1:4, of persecutions and tribulations; in 2 Tim 4:3, of sound doctrine. See BEAR. (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) sound doctrine At that time they would seek a kind of instruction more conformable to their wishes and feelings. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. KJV 2 Timothy 1:13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. NASU sound doctrine Titus 1:9; sound in the faith Titus 1:13; fitting for sound doctrine Titus 2:1 but wanting to have their ears tickled to scratch, to tickle, here only in the New Testament. "Getting the ears (the hearing) tickled." Compare the Athenians (Acts 17:21). Clement of Alexandria tells of speakers tickling the ears of those who want to be tickled. This is the temptation of the merely "popular" preacher, to furnish the latest tickle. (from Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament) Crescent Park church of Christ www.inspiritandintruth.org 4 P a g e

"Some come to hear, not to learn, just as we go to the theater, for pleasure, to delight our ears with the speaking or the voice or the plays (from Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament) they will accumulate for themselves teachers Heap to heap up, accumulate in piles (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon) o The word is ironical; shall invite teachers "en masse." The hearers invite and shape their own preachers. If the people desire a calf to worship, a ministerial calf-maker is readily found. (from Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament) in accordance to their own desires used metaphorically in 2 Tim 4:3 of appropriating a number of teachers to suit the liking of those who do so. (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) They will seek such kind of preaching as will accord with their carnal desires; or such as will palliate their evil propensities, and deal gently with their vices; compare Isa 30:10. "Speak unto us smooth things; prophesy deceits. They will grow weary of the old plain gospel of Christ, and then they will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them, and God will give them up to those strong delusions, because they received not the truth in the love of it 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. NASU 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth That is, the people themselves will turn away from the truth. It does not mean that the teachers would turn them away by the influence of their instructions. The speaker of truth is not at fault, the itching ears are doing the turning away! Ex: The people stopped their ears and rushed at Stephen in Acts 7:57; o Question: If Stephen had just changed his tone maybe he wouldn t have been stoned to death? Their objection might not have been about what he said but how he said it that got him stoned wrong! and will turn aside to myths. Fables - they would seek out (lit. "heap up") teachers, of whom many are always available, who would tell them what they wanted to hear rather than face them with the truth (Romans 1:18-32) Paul wouldn t have it For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10) 5 But you, be sober in all things, Be watchful It is possible to be overtaken in a fault, to neglect one's duty, and to lose one's soul. Watching unto prayer prevents all these evils. That is what Paul is telling Titus when he says Let no one deregard despise you (Titus 2:15). Titus 2:15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. NASU Crescent Park church of Christ www.inspiritandintruth.org 5 P a g e

endure hardship o 1 Cor 9:27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. NASU o 2 Cor 13:5-6 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you unless indeed you fail the test? 6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. NASU o 1 Thess 5:21-22 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. NASU o Eph 5:15-16 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. NASU o Rom 2:1-3 Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? NASU o Watch yourself; watch your work; keep watch for your brothers and sisters! 1 Tim 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. NASU Literally endure hardness ; endure patiently o 2 Timothy 2:3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. NASU o James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. NASU o 2 Timothy 2:8-10 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. 10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. NASU do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (1) He must expect afflictions in the faithful discharge of his duty. (2.) He must endure them patiently. (3.) These must not discourage him in his work, for he must do his work, and fulfil his ministry. (4.) The best way to make full proof of our ministry is to fulfil it, to fill it up in all its parts with proper work. Give yourself to it 110%! Conclusion: May we ever lift up the hands of those who endeavor to preach the whole counsel of God. May we ever be ready to preach the word when it is convenient, but even when it is uncomfortable also! May we expose sin, rebuke rebellion and encourage the faint hearted! May we ever work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12) and keep from grumbling and disputing (v14) Proverbs 10:16-17 The wages of the righteous is life, The income of the wicked, punishment. 17 He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who ignores reproof goes astray. NASU Crescent Park church of Christ www.inspiritandintruth.org 6 P a g e