Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: April 3, 2005
“PREACH THE WORD”
An Examination of 2 Timothy 4:1-5 -- # 5
Ben Justice
NOTE: CONTINUATION OF LAST WEEK’S ARTICLE.
The term “exhort,” as noted in last week’s article, is from the beautiful and rich
word parakaleo. Its literal meaning is “to call to a person” or “to call to one’s side.”
Many times, this word is translated as “beseech” or “besought.” Many times, the
word is also translated as “comfort.” It very much has a positive thrust to it. What
is the sense of the word “exhort?” Although, the original term has many different
connotations in the NT, the sense in 2 Tim. 4:2 would be to encourage, strengthen
and comfort. Whenever this kind of exhortation is carried out, the idea is calling a
person to one’s side for the purpose of strengthening them and encouraging them,
and, in this case, things relative to living the Christian life. Note the following
scriptures where this word is used:
—> Acts 2:40 — “And with many others words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation.”
—> Acts 11:23 — “Who (Barnabas), when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was
glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”
—> Acts 14:22 — “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue
in the faith, . . .”
—> Acts 15:32 — “And Judas and Silas, being prophets themselves, exhorted the
brethren with many words, and confirmed them.”
—> I Thess. 2:11 — “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every
one of you, as a father doth his children,”
—> I Thess. 5:14 — “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort
the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”
—> 2 Thess. 3:12 — “Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord
Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”
—> Titus 1:9 — “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be
able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
—> Titus 2:6 — “Young men likewise exhort to be soberminded.”
—> Titus 2:15 — “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no
man despise thee.”
—> Heb. 3:13 — “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you
be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
—> Heb. 10:25 — “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of
some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
The three-fold method of preaching the word is “reprove, rebuke, exhort.” The first
two are negative, and the last one is positive in its aim. Therefore, two-thirds have
a negative connotation. This is exactly parallel of Jeremiah’s charge in Jer. 1:10 —
“See, I (God) have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out,
and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” As you
can see, two-thirds of Jeremiah’s commission was destructive and one third was
constructive. In our day and age of unholy and unbiblical tolerance, it is a hard pill
for many to swallow that Biblical preaching is often destructive and negative in
nature. Bible students are certainly aware of the fact that the majority of the Bible
is negative in tone. Of course, this in no way diminishes the fact that the Bible is
very much positive, as well. Throughout my preaching career, I have had brethren
to tell me to stop being so negative. Too many brethren today have the ungodly
attitude that if a preacher preaches just one sermon that exposes error and
damnable doctrine specifically by name, then they are automatically unbalanced
and too negative. It really bothers me to hear brethren uttering things like this; it
bothers me a great deal to hear about negative verses positive preaching. My view
is that if a preacher is preaching the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, then it ought to be accepted gladly. And, people ought to seek to apply God’s
truths to their lives. When some brethren tell me to stop being negative, I want to
ask them, “Are you being negative?” It is amazing how some can charge others to
stop being negative, while at the same time they are being negative. Isn’t this a
definition of a hypocrite? Now, preachers certainly have the responsibility to be
balanced. If a preacher spends all of his time on one subject, be it negative or
positive, then he has become unbalanced. All preachers must seek to preach the
whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). And, brethren should never become upset when
the preacher preaches a series of negative sermons. Such may be needed. Let’s
stop worrying about negative verses positive preaching, but start applying God’s
eternal truths to our everyday walks of life. If it’s God’s Word, then just accept it!
The Charge Involves The Proper Manner — Verse 2d
How is the preacher to carry out his charge of preaching the word? He is to carry it
out by following the three-fold method of “reprove, rebuke, exhort.” Then, Paul
stated the manner is which this charge is to be carried out. He said, “with all long-
suffering and doctrine.” “Long-suffering” is certainly a learned quality. The original
word, makrothumia, literal means, “patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness,
perseverance . . . slowness in avenging wrongs” (Thayer, # 3115, Pg. 387). God is
“long-suffering” with us (Rom. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). Jesus Christ is “long-suffering” (I
Tim. 1:16). If we are going to be like God and Christ, then we all must cultivate the
attribute of “long-suffering” in our lives (see Gal. 5:22; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12). As this
most noble quality applies to preachers of the Word, it becomes paramount that
preachers learn to be long-suffering with people. Preachers sometimes are known
to take too much for granted on the part of their hearers. People have to deal with
many issues, and certainly, preachers need to help them overcome worldliness.
Preachers help by preaching the word, but yet doing so with all “long-suffering.”
This is God’s way. This is certainly not saying that any of us are to overlook
sinfulness in the lives of others. God has given a plan of instruction and
discipline. Sometimes, this discipline has to be corrective in nature to get people
to come to their senses.
Then, Paul added, “and doctrine.” Preach the word, not only with all long-suffering,
but with all doctrine. “Doctrine” means “teaching” or “that which is taught.”
Certainly, all scripture is profitable “for doctrine” (2 Tim. 3:16). One would do well
to take a concordance and look up the term “doctrine” and see how many times it is
used. “Doctrine” does matter, despite what many say. There must always be an
emphasis on doctrine. This doctrine, of course, is the doctrine of Christ. John
warned in 2 John 9, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ,
hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the
Son.” Sadly, many who call themselves gospel preachers are emphasizing
everything in the world but the doctrine of Christ. But, the charge has been given,
and there will be no excuses come judgment day (verse 1). [MORE NEXT WEEK]