Proclaimer Blog
Middle of the road preaching
Helpful comments from our very own Dr Jonathan on 2 Timothy exhortations that – almost certainly – qualify the command to "preach the word"
Formally it is possible that verse two provides a list of separate and distinct instructions (preach the word, be prepared, correct rebuke and encourage) with only the final two elements of the list showing the manner in which the list of instructions (or perhaps even just the final instruction) should be carried out. This is possible, but the central importance that Paul assigns to the charge to ‘preach the word’ by placing it at the front of the list and directly after the solemn preface to the charge suggests that this instruction is indeed the central instruction, and is supported by the instructions that follow in verse 2. More than that, the charge to ‘be ready in season and out of season’ is not a an instruction that can stand alone. On its own it would beg the question, ‘Be ready to do what….?’ The answer must be, ‘To preach the Word’.
Given that this second instruction supports and modifies the central instruction to ‘preach the word’, it seems right to take the rest of the instructions of the verse as functioning in the same way. All that having been said, the final two elements of the list are not verbs, but nouns that identify characteristics that are to mark the proclamation, so there is some distinction here. It would be possible to amplify the meaning of 4:2 with the following paraphrase: ‘Preach the word; be prepared to do this in season and out of season; in your preaching ministry, correct, rebuke and encourage, and do so with patience and careful instruction.’
Paul reminds Timothy that his preaching of the word should involve three vital elements; he must ‘correct, rebuke and encourage’ (4:2). Timothy must use the word as it is designed to be used (see 3:16) to correct wrong doctrine with true doctrine and rebuke wrong behaviour. The dangerous situation currently at Ephesus (2:16-18) and on the horizon for the future (3:1-9) means that these aspects of Timothy’s preaching ministry will be of vital importance for the protection of the church. Paul takes the trouble to remind Timothy of the need to include correcting and rebuking in his preaching ministry because it would be all to easy for him to leave it out. It is, after all, personally uncomfortable to correct and rebuke others. It will not make Timothy popular. But the Bible gives him both the authority and the means of carrying out this vital aspect of his task.
Just as it would be easy in some circumstances for a preacher to neglect to correct or rebuke the people under his care, so too he could fail to ‘encourage’ (preachers will probably be naturally disposed toward either correction or encouragement and need to aim for faithful balance). The biblical language of ‘encouragement’ carries not only the nuance of comfort but also of urging and exhortation. The preacher must not only correct wrong belief and action, but must then positively spur the people on to right embrace true gospel doctrine and living.
There is both negative correction and positive encouragement. Jonathan goes on to point out that most preachers will find one of these easier than the other and this will then tend to dominate and characterise their ministry. "Oh, he's a great encourager we might say" or "He's able to nail sin and its ugliness in us." You almost certainly know which you prefer. But we need both. For the truth is there is too much preaching which is warmly useless. It encourages us all the time but lacks the punch of Scripture. And there is too much preaching which only ever beats its hearers up (such preaching requires little skill, by the way). It rebukes and corrects without every providing the necessary encouragement.
Both are needed. Middle of road.