(2 Tim 4:2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Paul was writing to young Timothy from a Roman prison, where he was awaiting his execution. Though he was facing certain death, Paul was still concerned for Timothy and all others under his tutorage and desired to give guidance and instruction to them. Paul knew from experience the need for this teaching as he was first a practitioner of it before giving it to others. In the face of the incipient apostasy of the day and also in the moral and spiritual decay of today, Paul’s words are very appropriate.
The word used here is translated several ways in different verse – be present, be at hand, come upon, to stand by. The main idea is simply “be there, doing what needs to be done at the time it is needed”. In the context, it means Christians are responsible to be there with the right words from the word of God – words of exhortation, doctrine, reproof (if needed), even words of sympathy; words given patiently, even when rebuffed by the hearer. Paul tells us that our words are – “to be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” And to the ministers he exhorts – “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,”
This means that we need to have a working knowledge of the Scriptures. The need for systematic Bible study – corporate or individually – is important in order for us to fulfill this command. We must be in right relationship with God in order to be sensitive to His voice when speaking His word at the time needed. We also need the power of God’s Spirit in us to be bold and patient in presenting the word and having a life that is clean and pure is a necessity as well. Do not think that you have to know the Bible through and through, for no one can do that, it is the inexhaustible book. But a working knowledge of the word will do. If you do not know an answer to a question you are asked, write it down and seek your pastor for help or research it yourself.
The charge applies not only to those times when we are officially on duty, so to speak, but also applies to off-hours as well as work time (This means that there will be times you are seeking or witnessing to others and other times you meet with people along the way). Be instant out-of-season, as well as in-season. As Christians we must always be on call. It means that there will be times when we initiate a conversation and are prepared to discuss/witness. It also means that there will be times when we are approached and not expecting it _- out of the blue, so to speak – and we are ask for an answer regarding our faith and the Bible. Even when we are prepared there may be times we will not have all the answers to questions asked us. In any case we must never try to “fudge” our way in order to save face for our self, but be willing to say, “I don’t know” and then find out so that we may be a good witness.
Paul could rightly charge Timothy and us, because he had set such an example (2 Tim 4:7; 3:1). It is interesting that Paul used this same word (instant) concerning his own approaching death (2 Tim 4:6). Paul was as ready to die for Christ as he was to witness and tell of Christ. We should live in such a way as Paul and be always ready, whether in life or approaching death.