Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: April 17, 2005
“PREACH THE WORD”
An Examination of 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Ben Justice
NOTE: CONTINUATION OF LAST WEEK’S ARTICLE. THIS WILL BE THE LAST
INSTALLMENT IN THIS SERIES OF ARTICLES.
In the previous articles, we have studied in depth the preacher’s charge given to
him by Jehovah God. The preacher’s charge is set forth in v. 2 and 5 of 2 Tim. 4.
It is interesting to note that in the middle of the charge, Paul discussed, from his
vantage point, a coming corruption, as seen in v. 3-4. It is these verses that we
wish to consider as we bring this series of articles to a close. These verses read as
follows: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their
own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall
turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
THE CORRUPTION — V. 3-4
The Corruption Is Based Upon A Time — verse 3a:
Paul began 2 Tim. 4:3, by saying, “For the time will come. when they will not endure
sound doctrine.” The word “time” is from kairos. This word is akin to the word
translated “season” in v. 2. Remember, Paul charged Timothy, “preach the word; be
instant in season, out of season.” In fact, quite often in the NT, the term kairos is
translated “season(s).” Paul spoke of a time or a season when some would not
endure sound doctrine. This would be one of those “out of season” times for
Timothy. Now, wait a minute. In v. 2, the charge given to Timothy was, “preach
the word.” However, in v. 3, Paul spoke of those who would not endure “sound
doctrine.” It would do you well to connect “the word” with “sound doctrine” in your
Bible. Obviously, these two expressions are used interchangeably and
synonymously. God’s word is sound doctrine and vice versa. So, when Paul spoke
of some who would not endure “sound doctrine,” he was speaking of some who
would not endure the word of God.
“Sound” is from a word simply meaning “healthy.” Paul spoke of “healthy”
doctrine. It is healthy because it makes men healthy, spiritually speaking. To
speak of healthy or sound doctrine is to imply that there are doctrines that are
unhealthy or unsound.
The word “endure” means “to hold up” (Vine, Pg. 200). Paul described some who
would not “hold up” sound doctrine. If they would not “hold up” sound doctrine,
then by default they would “hold up” unsound doctrine. W.E. Vine pointed out that
the original word is always used in the middle voice in the NT. Whenever
something is in the middle voice, it refers to that which a person does for himself.
In other words, Paul described some who would not “hold up” for themselves sound
doctrine. Sad indeed when men get to this point — that they would rather hold up
unsound doctrine for themselves. Of course, those who will not endure sound
doctrine are “tossed to and from, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:
14). They are as Paul described in I Tim. 4:1 — “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly,
that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits,
and doctrines of devils;”
The Corruption Is Based Upon Teachers — verse 3b:
Paul continued to say in v. 3, “but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears.” If you will note, the second sentence in this verse
begins with the word “but.” Paul draws a contrast to their character. When people
when not endure sound doctrine (the word of God), they will seek after something
else. As Paul noted, these individuals sought out certain teachers.
The expression “after their own lusts” reveals that they sought after certain
teachers to satisfy their own lusts.
Concerning the term “heap” it is a very vivid word. Thayer defines the word as, “to
heap up, accumulate in piles” (# 2002, Pg. 244). One can almost get the mental
picture of some who would accumulate in piles certain teachers.
Paul described them as “having itching ears.” What does all this say about these
individuals? It clearly reveals that they sought out teachers who would teach them
what they wanted to hear. They wanted teachers who would scratch their ears.
And, the more teachers they could accumulate in piles the better. In reading the
prophets of the OT, you can’t help but notice that this was exactly the way the
nation of Israel was. God said to Isaiah in Isaiah 30:8-10, “Now go, write it before
them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
(9) That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of
the Lord: (10) Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us
right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” This pretty much
describes many today, even in the church. They don’t want to hear right things;
they want to hear smooth things and deceits.
The Corruption Is Based Upon a Turning Away & A Turning To — verse 4:
Paul further described these apostates as turning away from the truth. Note how
Paul used different expressions to refer to the same thing. “The word” (v. 2) is
equal to “sound doctrine” (v. 3) which is equal to “the truth” (v. 4).
Paul then noted that they “shall be turned to fables.” “Fables” are fictitious stories
or falsehoods. Jeremiah described such folks of his day: “To whom shall I speak,
and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot
hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it”
(Jer. 6:10).
There is certainly no shortage of false teachers today. Whatever one wants to hear,
they can find the teacher who will teach it. Brethren, we need to understand and
realize that there are things that we may not want to hear, but we need to hear, if
we would be saved now and in eternity. There is an apostasy occurring in the
church today of historic proportions. People today are doing exactly as Paul
described in 2 Tim. 2:3-4. Many are content and happy to have false teachers speak
to them. When some congregations decide to hire a new preacher, they don’t look
at his knowledge of the Bible and his soundness in the faith. Instead, they look at
how many degrees he has and how good he sounds from the pulpit and how funny
he can be. Sound and faithful congregations are dwindling rapidly. Sound and
faithful gospel preachers, more than ever, are having a harder time finding places to
preach. Many who call themselves the church of Christ no longer want sound
doctrine. Instead, they want their ears tickled. So, what is a sound gospel
preacher to do? Keep on carrying out his charge, for he will have a grand reward
waiting come judgment day!