In Season - Out of Season
By Dr. Ken Matto
2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV) Preach the word; be instant in
season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine.
The Bible teaches us that every believer, from the
most timid to the most outgoing, are to be faithful in all situations. 2 Timothy
4:2 negates the idea that Christians are not to “offend” unbelievers. It is the
sting of the Gospel that causes the Christian to be the salt of the earth.
Matthew 5:13 (KJV) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his
savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to
be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
2 Timothy 4:2 is a very important verse in that it is
our marching orders in this world. Let us look at some of the words and their
meanings.
2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV)
Preach the word;
be instant
in season,
out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Preach - Proclaiming the word of God
by any means available, which could be by the spoken or written word. We are to
proclaim the full counsel of God and not just pick and choose those parts which
seem very palatable to the unbeliever and even the believer. The word “proclaim”
is in the Imperative Mood making it a command. There is much laziness on the
part of many believers because they all claim they are waiting for the rapture.
These rapture watchers have ceased to become the salt of the earth. In ancient
times, salt was a very important item. Soldiers were actually paid in salt
instead of money. Salt was used to preserve food. Fishermen would salt their
catch to prevent them from spoiling. Metaphorically speaking, a Christian who
would be the salt of the earth, would challenge the sinful ways of the world and
attempt to bring about godly living, in themselves first and then in society.
This is not just an afterthought but even in ancient times, God blessed those
nations who were godly. The blessing of God is off those nations who have turned
their backs on God.
Be instant - Be urgent, Stand by,
near, or be present - Here we have another word in the Imperative Mood making it
a command. We are to be vigilant in the face of ungodly opposition. This is what
caused the martyrs of the first century and those in the middle ages to oppose
the evil teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. The true Christians were ready
to challenge the false teachings and even give their lives to bring the truth of
God’s word to the masses. We are not to fade in the background or wait for a
convenient time but wherever there is a false teaching being taught, it is to be
challenged as soon as the believer hears it, even in the church, and if they get
kicked out of the church, they are not to compromise so they can get back in but
are to remain faithful to the word of God. It also does not matter who is
bringing the false teaching, they are just pawns in the hand of Satan to divert
the true believer and we must help deliver them out of that snare, to the best
of our ability.
In season - Conveniently or
appropriately - There were two conditions by which Timothy was to be ready to
preach and that means all Christians. The first one, was that of an appropriate
setting which could be a church or a home where he had been called to proclaim
the word. Today we would include Bible studies or Sunday School. This would be
considered in season because normally those who attend are the saved. This would
be considered in season like snow in winter or heat in summer, both of them are
normal for their appointed seasons and we could expect believers to show up at
church or Bible studies.
Out of season - Inappropriately
timed, not convenient, or untimely - The second condition for preaching was an
inconvenient time such as defending the Word of God, challenging a false teacher
when he hears one teaching, maybe he would be put in jail for his testimony and
from there, like the Apostle Paul, he would proclaim the word. We are not only
to challenge false teachings but those actions which are against the Word of God
such as abortion, homosexual marriage, drinking alcohol, drugs or anything which
is forbidden by the word of God. If the present society a believer lives in
endorses something evil, then they are to cry out against that according to the
word of God. Being out of season means you are going against the grain or the
direction of a river. The martyrs who opposed Roman Catholicism were out of
season because they challenged the false teaching of the Roman institution. Many
believers in present day are out of season because they oppose the evils of
Islam and they make their beliefs known and normally are martyred for their
beliefs. Many Christians chose to teach the Gospel under repressive regimes such
as Red China, North Korea, Viet Nam, Cuba, and others who have made the state
their god. They were out of season because they taught that the state is not god
but are but are to worship Christ. Out of season means to oppose what God
opposes in His word.
Both in season and out of season means that a
Christian is to be ready at all times to proclaim and defend the truths of God’s
word, in any situation, even if it costs him something, even his life. Then Paul
gives Timothy three subjects which he is to preach. Notice how these three are
tied to this verse supporting the fact that proclaiming God’s word out of season
is to rebuke and reject those teachings and actions which are contrary to God’s
word. All three of these words are in the Imperative Mood which means they are
not an option but a command.
Reprove - To convict or refute - Paul
charges Timothy that he is to refute or convict anyone who is teaching God’s
word incorrectly or to confront and challenge the false teachers and their
teachings. He is also to confront those who are living a life of sin while
claiming to be Christians since this would bring shame on the name of Christ and
the Christian community. Timothy is not just to proclaim sweet words but must
proclaim the word of God with the authority it carries. Even the government,
both local and national are not above being reproved.
Rebuke - Paul charges Timothy that he
must also rebuke, which carries with it the meaning of warn or admonish. If
someone is holding on to a false teaching, then they are to be rebuked, that
holding to false teachings will cause both the speaker and the hearer to face
condemnation. Timothy is also to warn his hearers about the false teachers and
that it is not a joking matter when someone takes the word of God and teaches it
in error. Christians must be warned not to entertain any of the teachings of the
false teachers.
Exhort - Paul also charges Timothy
with not only rejecting the false teachers but also to exhort the Christians,
which carries with it the meaning of encouraging them. Churches who constantly
condemn their people are the ones you want to stay away from because while there
are things we must be aware of, we are also to encourage the brethren in their
endeavors. We are also to bring comfort and edification to the brethren so they
may grow. If you consistently hit somebody over the head, they will always
remain at the same height but our responsibility is to help them grow in the
Lord. This theme is also to be remembered if you are called to proclaim or
defend the word of God out of season. Christianity is not comprised of rebuke
and rejection only, but there is much encouragement in the Bible for Christians
and that must be brought to light. Unbelievers are to be told that they are on
the path to Hell but there is hope for them as long as they are still alive but
they need to stop engaging in evil actions or false teachings.
Paul ends this verse by telling Timothy that he is to
proclaim these things from the word of God, but he is to have much patience with
those who are hearing, since it is a good possibility that many are hearing the
truths for the first time. He is also to teach the doctrines of the Bible and
not his own personal opinion. It is the personal opinion of the false teachers
which has caused them to stray and their hearers to stray. So when Timothy
begins to refute the false teachings, it must be done from the scriptures and
with much patience toward his hearers. It is Bible doctrine which changes a
person and not our commentary.
Summary
To be in season is to teach and preach the word of God
those who already believe, although there may be some listening who are
unbelievers. To be out of season is to go against the secular teachings or
actions of the day such as abortion or drugs or things like that. Especially,
the new age teachings which are so prevalent today like Zen, spirit guides,
aliens from space, abductions, ghosts, etc. These people need to know they are
being deceived by demons and that is a hard sell, especially when someone is at
the center of attention but even so, we are to be relentless in bringing
biblical truth.