In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.  2 Timothy 4:1 – 5.

Giving a charge is rare in the Bible.  Paul is nearing the end of his life ministry, he seems to be able to discern that.  He also knows that building the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is in its early stages.  So much depends on the next generation of disciples who are settled on the central message of the Gospel.  Almost gone are the original Disciples who lived with Jesus for up to three years. John is probably alive in Turkey. The next generation includes Paul to whom Jesus appeared as he traveled to Damascus, a visitation quite unique.  Now, the third generation is on the front lines, including young Timothy to whom Paul is writing.  Timothy, as far as we know, had no visitation from Jesus as Paul had.  Will this generation be faithful?  This must have been on Paul’s mind when he deliberately charged Timothy.

So, what is the charge?  1. To preach the word. That lively, culturally diverse church in Ephesus was already experiencing heresies, from legalism to doubting bodily resurrection.  The word is clear, Jesus taught, died, rose from the dead, appeared to many and then took his place in heaven at the right hand of his Father. Any erosion of that bed-rock faith will lead to heresy.  2.  Be prepared to preach that Gospel in all situations.  3.  Correct, rebuke and encourage fellow believers. With great patience and careful instruction.  4.  Keep your head in all situations.  Temptations will come to enter the fray. Stay clear of that.  Stand on the truth of the simple Gospel. 5. Endure hardship.  This is a subjective duty and requires a strong defense against the enemy of the souls of mankind. 6.  Do the work of an evangelist.  I think this means to preach the positive message of God’s grace, encouraging others to believe and to place Jesus first in life.  Stay on the offensive. 7.  Discharge all of the duties of your ministry.  We have no idea of Timothy’s spiritual gifts. Paul was convinced that God will enable Timothy to endure all kinds of testing.

The work goes on.  I am 87 years old. My calling is to encourage the “Timothies” that God brings into my life.  I am blessed to have quite a few.  Praise God.  May I be faithful.