The Evangelist and His Work
The Evangelist's Primary Responsibility

As the aged apostle prepared to lay aside inspiration's pen for the last time, he gave to the preacher words that are ageless in their application and timeliness. The words that compose Paul's charge to Timothy should be burned into the hearts of all young preachers and older ones, remaining there to govern every thought, desire, decision, and action related to their preaching. It appears that too many of us think that these should apply primarily to a young man beginning his work, but the principles given here are needed by all who proclaim the gospel of the son of God.

Lessons along the line of a preacher's work and responsibility should be frequent for the benefit of preacher and audience. When members of the Lord's body understand what the God of heaven has bound preachers to do, they will be more disposed to understand the preacher and to sympathize with his sometimes-unpleasant task.

These instructions will mean much more to us if we see them against the background of the previous verses. While they cannot be separated from the context of the entire second letter to Timothy, those verses that are just previous give us some insight as to why the charge was given. After Paul had urged Timothy to continue in the sacred writings that he had known and followed from a child, he then explained to him that all scripture is inspired of God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, to the end that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (II Tim. 3:14-17). In the context of such a statement, the apostle charged the preacher with his responsibility to God and man in regard to this inspired word.

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Jesus Christ, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 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 with their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths" (II Tim. 4:1-4, NASV).

An outstanding points made by Paul is the authority underlying the charge and the preacher's discharge of this instruction. The charge was given in the presence of God and Jesus Christ. These are not elective principles for our work but requisite for the faithful gospel proclaimer. Unless a man in this way serves God, he cannot please God. The preacher who preaches to please men ought to remove his shingle, for he is not serving Christ (Gal. 1:10). We also need to note that the man who faithfully discharges these commands is doing so by the authority of God and Christ, from whom his orders come, not from any church board or other human organ. He preaches authoritatively, and his message is accordingly authoritative (Titus 2:15). He needs to urge the word of God with the importance that it bears.

Paul also defined the subject of our preaching and, at the same time, indicated the limit of our preaching. Preach the word! To dwell on other subjects is to displease Him who gave the charge. To review books, saturate a lesson with otherwise good moral advice or quotations, or relate personal experiences for no real purpose is to disobey God and to burden the audience with something they don't need. The carnally minded like fables, but gospel preaching begins and ends with the word of God.

We fail to understand the charge when we fail to note the importance that Paul attached to gospel preaching. He said, "Be instant (urgent, ready). He who realizes that teaching God's word is important will not stand before an audience to present an unconsidered and unprepared sermon. Furthermore, members of the church who understand its importance will be quick to attend where such preaching is being done but slow to criticize the preacher when his sermon exceeds man-imposed time limits.

In the fourth place, Paul specifies constancy as a part of his charge. The preaching of the word is needed in season and out of season. There is no off-season for the preaching of the word. Sometimes it is seasonable to preach on certain Bible subjects but unseasonable to preach on others, but the apostle says that we need to preach even the unpopular sermons when they are out-of-season.

The instructions of Paul also include the kind of preaching that we should do. It includes reproof, pointing out sin and bringing it home to the sinner; rebuke, reprimanding sharply; and exhortation, calling aside for instruction, encouragement, or any other need. In order to be the kind that God approves, our preaching must include all of these kinds in season and out of season.

The passage under study finally emphasizes the spirit that should accompany the preaching of God's word. All longsuffering or patience should be evident on the part of the preacher, and he should preach for instruction. There is no occasion when it is right to "tell someone off" or "get somebody told." Even when reproof is due or rebuke is the order, we should speak the truth in love.

As to the reasons why Paul gave the charge, the context suggests at least five. False teachers will surely arise, and the word of God alone is sufficient to counteract their influence. The word specified is the inspired word. It is a profitable word. It will perfect a man. It furnishes us to all good works.