Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: March 20, 2005
“PREACH THE WORD”
An Examination of 2 Timothy 4:1-5 — # 3
Ben Justice
NOTE: CONTINUATION OF LAST WEEK’S ARTICLE.
The Charge Involves A Message — verse 2a:
2 Tim. 4:2 states the actual charge: “PREACH THE WORD.” There are various
Greek words translated “preach” (or a form thereof) in the NT. It is not the intent
of this article to explore all of these. The word translated “preach” in this passage
is kerusso, which functions as a verb. The corresponding noun is kerugma and is
translated as “preaching” every time. Kerux, which also is a noun, is translated as
“preacher” and is found only three times. This word means, “a herald.” Kerusso is
used a total of 61 times in the NT. It is translated as “preach” (or a form thereof)
54 times, “publish” or “published” 5 times and “proclaimed” or “proclaiming” each
one time. It is the most frequently used term in the NT. Since the corresponding
noun, kerux, means “a herald,” then kerusso (the word used in 2 Tim. 4:2) means,
“to herald.” Listen to how Thayer defines this term: “To be a herald; to officiate as
herald; to proclaim after the manner of a herald.” He further adds, “always with a
suggestion of formality, gravity, and an authority which must be listened to and
obeyed” (# 2784, Pg. 346). The way these terms are used in secular Greek
literature is most enlightening. Concerning the noun, kerux, Thayer writes that it
was used in Greek writings to refer to “a herald, a messenger of kings, magistrates,
princes, military commanders, or who gave a public summons or demand, and
performed various other duties” (# 2783, Pg. 346). Apply this to preachers
(heralds) of the word. Preachers have been given a divine message that is to be
proclaimed with authority. Paul commanded Titus in Titus 3:15, “These things
speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” One writer,
in speaking about how the word kerux was used in classical and secular Greek,
stated, “The kerux was always under the authority of someone else, whose
spokesman he was” (Lothar Coenen, New International Dictionary of New
Testament Theology — Vol. 3, Colin Brown — Editor, Pg. 49). Apply this to the
spiritual realm. Preachers today are God’s herald who always operate under his
authority. Preachers are spokesmen for God. Note the following scriptures where
kerusso is also used:
—> Matt. 24:14 — “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for
a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
—> Mark 16:15 — “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature.”
—> Luke 24:47 — “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his
name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
—> Acts 8:5 — “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto
them.”
—> Acts 9:20 — “And straightway he (Paul) preached Christ in the synagogues, that he
is the Son of God.”
—> Acts 10:42 — “And he (Christ) commanded us to preach unto the people, and to
testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”
—> Acts 28:31 — “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those those things which
concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”
—> Rom. 10:8 — “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in
thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;”
—> I Cor. 1:23 — “But we preach Christ crucified, . . .”
—> 2 Cor. 4:5 — “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; . . .”
—> I Thess. 2:9 — “. . . we preached unto you the gospel of God.”
In our text, 2 Tim. 4:2, Timothy was charged to preach “the word.” However, in the
above passages, the gospel was preached, the kingdom was preached, Christ was
preached and repentance and remission of sins was/is to be preached. Preaching
the word, therefore, must be inclusive of all of these things. In other words, when
one preaches the word, he is preaching the gospel, for the word of God and the
gospel are used synonymously (cf. 2 Cor. 4:2-3 — “the word of God” in v. 2 and
“gospel” in v. 3 are obviously being used interchangeably). When one preaches the
word, he is preaching Christ; when one preaches the word, he is preaching the
kingdom; when one preaches the word, he is preaching repentance and remission of
sins. When a preacher fails to preach on the kingdom, Christ, repentance, and
remission of sins, then he has not preached the word.
“The word” is the message that is to be proclaimed. Remember, this must be
connected to the previous verse, wherein Paul wrote about the future
manifestation of Jesus. Preachers have a solemn responsibility before God and
man to fulfill the responsibility of being a herald of the Word of God, for there is a
judgment day coming in which all men will be judged by God’s word (John 12:48)
and not only that, but the proclaimer of the word of God will also be judged by the
same. Preachers need to realize that they will give an account of how they have
carried out this divine charge. Paul warned in Gal. 1:8-9, “But though we, or an
angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached
unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man
preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Paul
issued a warning to himself in I Cor. 9:16 — “For though I preach the gospel, I have
nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel!” Lenski wrote these excellent words in this regard: “He (the herald — BJ)
must announce it (the word — BJ) in its completeness (Acts 20:27) and not alter it
in any way, not add anything of his own or anything that is borrowed from another
source, not subtract a particle. ‘Herald!’ and not offer religious opinions, not
philosophize, not argue. In view of the connotations of this imperative many a
preacher, who should be a ‘herald’ and is not what he should be or not all that he
should be, must stammer and blush when he faces Christ’s appearance and his
kingdom” (R.C.H. Lenski, Commentary On 2 Timothy, Pg. 852).
The Charge Involves A Mode — verse 2b:
The mode in preaching the word is “be instant in season, out of season.” This is
also a part of the charge. The term “instant” literally means, “to stand by, be
present, be at hand, come on or upon” (W.E. Vine, Pg. 328). Vincent notes that
the expression, “be instant” is better “be ready,” and it “signifies urgent,
importunate, persevering” (Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies In The New
Testament — Vol. IV, Pg. 319). Then, the expression “in season out of season”
very simply means that preachers have the responsibility to preach the word when
the hearers want to hear it and when the hearers don’t want to hear. Earle, in
quoting Lock states, “Both whether or no the moment seems to fit your hearers,
‘welcome or not welcome,’ and ‘whether or not it is convenient to you,’ ‘on duty or
off duty,’ ‘in the pulpit or out of it,’ ‘take or make your opportunity’.” (Ralph Earle,
Word Meanings In The New Testament, Pg. 410). This really hits at the crux of
the matter with many preachers today. We have too many preachers who shy away
from preaching the whole counsel of God when such is not popular. But, sound
and faithful gospel preachers will speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth at all times, places, and circumstances. Indeed, many a preacher has
had to pack his bags and move elsewhere for faithfully carrying out his charge from
Almighty God.
[MORE NEXT WEEK]