(1) Overview
(PNTC) As Paul is prepared to stand before God to give account of his life (4:8), he wants Timothy to exhibit the same readiness—not first of all so he can die well, however, but so that he will be motivated to proclaim the gospel as he ought (see v. 2).
(2) Repeated ideas:
4:2 Preach the message, be ready [BDAG-be ready, be on hand, be persistent] whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.
4:7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!
In other words, continue to share the words like Paul did. The motivation is the judgment of Jesus, Who is going to give us the reward v.1, 8.
(3) The difficulty to continue to share the words is the people v.3-4.
4:3 For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.4:4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.
If the base for being judged by God will be our persistence in sharing the Gospel then we have to overcome the difficulties, namely, people did not want to hear the truth, but they want to turn aside to myths or the falsehood. We are in an uphill battle! Therefore, Timothy was commanded to reprove [BDAG-to express strong disapproval of someone’s action, reprove, correct], rebuke [BDAG-to express strong disapproval of someone, rebuke, reprove, censure also speak seriously, warn in order to prevent an action or bring one to an end] and encourage with patient and instruction.
Reflection: Getting ready in our heart that we will be turned down. Then how can we maintain a heart of being in such a battle? Look upwards: the hope of the rewards when Jesus comes back v.1-8. Look sideward: people like Paul who has set the example of how to fight, and finish v.7.
Audrey
Audrey
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