Expository Preaching – 2 Timothy chapter 4 verses 1 to 8
What are the marks of Biblical preaching?
We see 5 marks in this part of Paul’s letter to his young friend Timothy:
- A Holy Charge: “preach the word”, verse 2 – as a herald, speaking for the King.
- Word-centred: this is God’s written Word, the Bible, and true preaching always seeks to draw out of the Bible what God has put in. It never imposes man’s ideas on to the Bible. An unchanging Word for a world in constant turmoil.
- Constant: when it is popular and when it is not, “in season and out of season”, verse 2,
- Counter-cultural: never tampering with the Word to please “itching ears”, verses 3-4.
- Solemn: such heralding of God’s Word will bring hardship with it. It is no light task.
4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather round them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:1-8 New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.