Verse 2
Herald the Word of God! That is the primary responsibility of every leader of God’s people (cf. 2 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 6:20).
"kerysso ["preach"] is the verbal cognate of kerych, the ’herald’ whose duty it was to make public proclamation. The verb thus means ’proclaim aloud, publicly’ and is used in the NT of public proclamation or ’preaching’ of the message that God has given . . ." [Note: Knight, p. 453. Cf. 1 Timothy 3:16.]
We must preach the Word in season and out of season (continually, always, when convenient or inconvenient, not just during special periods of emphasis). Paul already explained the reason for this in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Timothy was to use the Word of God to reprove (convict) those in error (an appeal to the emotions). He was to use it to rebuke those in sin (an appeal to the mind). He was also to use it to encourage those living in harmony with God’s will (an appeal to the will). He was to carry on all of these activities-conviction, warning, and appeal-very patiently and with careful instruction (cf. 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Timothy 3:10; 1 Timothy 1:16). There are five imperatives in this verse: preach, be ready, reprove, rebuke, and exhort.
"Christian reproof without the grace of long-suffering has often led to a harsh, censorious attitude intensely harmful to the cause of Christ. But the other requirement is equally essential, for correction must be intelligently understood and hence based on ’teaching’. To rebuke without instruction is to leave the root cause of error untouched." [Note: Guthrie, pp. 166-67.]
"Christian ministry centers on the Word of God, God’s own expression of his will for people whom he desires to bless. If God had not spoken, we would not have known about him. Since it is through his Word that he continues to speak with his people, ministry first and foremost must be the communication of his Word." [Note: Towner, 1-2 Timothy . . ., p. 204.]
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