Preach The Word In Season and Out Of Season

In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul says to Timothy, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."

What exactly does this mean?

Let's break it down part by part.

What Does It Mean To Preach The Word In Season and Out Of Season?

Preach The Word

First, Paul commands Timothy to preach the word. This command gives shape to how Timothy would have interpreted the next three commands that follow.

In this context, Paul most likely is referring to the message of the gospel. Preaching the word means sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ with those who have not yet heard or accepted it.

In the book Preaching, J.I. Packer said:

That does not mean, of course, that the evangelical preacher will harp all the time on the bare fact of the crucifixion. It means rather that he will use all lines of biblical thought to illuminate the meaning of that fact; and he will never let his exposition get detached from Calvary’s cross and the redemption that was wrought there.

Paul is calling Timothy to proclaim the gospel to a world that desperately needs it. In Romans 10:14, Paul says, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"

As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to share the message of salvation with others. It is only through Christ that people can be saved and the world desperately needs to hear about the salvation available through Jesus Christ.

Be Prepared In Season and Out Of Season

Next, Paul tells Timothy to be prepared in season and out of season. This means that Timothy should always be ready to preach the word, no matter the circumstances or timing. Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether people are receptive or not, we must always be prepared to share the gospel with others.

In Opening Up 2 Timothy, Peter Williams writes:

There are times when preaching is a great joy and one feels carried along by a mysterious power. But there are also times when it is uphill work, either because one does not feel up to it, or the congregation appears unresponsive. But the preacher must not become the victim of moods. Consecrated persistence is the order of the day, and that will keep him going ‘in season and out of season’.

Jesus spoke to this in His parable of the soils. In Matthew 13:3-9, He tells of a sower who spreads seed on different types of soil. Some fall on the path and are eaten by birds, some fall on rocky ground and wither, some fall among thorns and are choked out, but some fall on good soil and produce a great crop.

Not everyone will receive the message of salvation with open hearts and minds. Some may reject it, and some may be distracted by other things, but we must continue to sow the seed of God's word regardless. We never know when someone's heart may be ready to receive it.

In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Paul says "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." It is ultimately up to God to bring about growth and change in a person's heart, but we must do our part in sharing the gospel and planting those seeds.

What does it mean to "be prepared"? It means to be equipped with the knowledge and understanding of the gospel, to have a strong foundation in our own faith, and to be ready to share it with others at any given moment. This also includes being prepared for potential challenges or pushback from those who may not agree with our message.

Correct, Rebuke, and Encourage

The next part of Paul's command is threefold:

• Correct
• Rebuke
• Encourage

We must be willing to not only share the good news but also to correct and rebuke when necessary. This does not mean we should become argumentative or aggressive, but rather approach these situations with love and grace. We are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and gently guide others towards a deeper understanding of God's word.

This can be a delicate balance, but with prayer and discernment, we can effectively share the message of salvation while also addressing any misunderstandings or misconceptions.

Lastly, we must always remember to encourage others in their faith. All of us struggle from time to time. The job of the pastor or church leader is to encourage those who are struggling to put their faith in Christ and stay committed to the gospel. We must also encourage those who are growing in their faith, celebrating their progress and encouraging them to continue on their journey.

With Great Patience and Careful Instruction

In most cases, sharing the gospel with a person is not a one-and-done thing. Yes, there are times when a person believes immediately, but for many, it is a process of understanding and acceptance. This requires great patience on our part as we walk alongside others in their spiritual journey.

A church management system (ChMS) can be helpful in this regard in terms of faithfully walking alongside a person in their faith journey. With a ChMS, you can keep track of their progress, follow up with them regularly, and provide resources and tools to aid in their growth. This allows you to provide careful instruction and guidance tailored to each individual's needs.

We must also be careful in our instruction, making sure to accurately convey the message of the gospel and not add any personal opinions or biases. Our goal should always be to lead people to a relationship with Christ, not to convince them of our own beliefs.

Practical Applications of Preaching The Word In And Out Of Season

So how can we practically apply these principles in our daily lives, particularly as pastors and church leaders?

Know The Gospel

First and foremost, we must make time to regularly study and learn about the gospel. The reality is that we should be intimately familiar with the gospel and its many glorious applications. After all, how can we share the gospel with others if we are not closely acquainted with it ourselves?

Regularly reading and studying Scripture, attending conferences or classes, and seeking wisdom from other pastors and leaders can all help us deepen our understanding of the gospel.

Preach The Word In And Out Of Season

As we noted, preaching the word in and out of season means being ready at all times to share the gospel message. This requires constant preparation and prayer, seeking God's guidance on what message to share and how to effectively communicate it.

The Apostle Phillip is the perfect example of being ready to share the gospel at unexpected moments. In Acts 8, he is led by the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with an Ethiopian eunuch traveling in a chariot. Phillip was ready and willing to preach the word in and out of season, resulting in the eunuch's salvation.

In addition, we must also be willing to step out of our comfort zones and share the gospel in unexpected or challenging situations. This could mean having conversations with non-believers, leading Bible studies or small groups, or even preaching on the street corner.

Wherever we are and whoever we are talking to, we should always be ready to preach the word in and out of season.

Be Willing To Correct and Rebuke

While correction and rebuke shouldn't make up the majority of a pastor's or leader's ministry, there will be times when they are necessary. We must be willing to speak the truth in love and correct those who may be straying from biblical truths or living in disobedience.

However, it's important to remember that correction should always come from a place of love and grace, rather than judgment or condemnation. Our goal should always be to guide others towards a deeper relationship with Christ, not tear them down.

We seek the Apostle Paul correcting Peter in love in the book of Galatians. Paul was willing to confront Peter when he saw him drifting from the truth of the gospel and modeling a behavior that contradicted it.

Encourage Consistently

In addition to correcting and rebuking, we should be consistently encouraging other believers. It's easy to become discouraged or feel discouraged in our faith journey, and a simple word of encouragement can make all the difference.

We see this modeled by the Apostle Paul throughout his letters to the early churches. He consistently encourages them to remain steadfast in their faith, reminding them of God's love, grace, and promises.

As leaders in the church, we should also make it a priority to encourage and build up our fellow believers, reminding them of the hope we have in Christ and encouraging them to keep pressing on.

Final Thoughts

It is our great privilege to preach the gospel to the world. Think about it for a moment. We are sharing the best possible news with people who desperately need it. We know that salvation is only through Christ, and we have the amazing opportunity to share that truth with others.

But as we go out and share this Good News, let us also remember to walk in love and grace towards one another. Let us correct and encourage each other in a spirit of unity, always seeking to lead others closer to Christ.

May our words be seasoned with love and our actions reflect the same grace that has been shown to us by our Savior. And may we never tire of sharing the incredible message of hope found in Jesus Christ.