2 Timothy 4:2

ἐπιτίμησον, παρακάλεσον. This, the rec. order, is adopted by WH and Lachmann with אcACD2EKLP. The order παρακάλεσον, ἐπιτίμησον is followed by Tischendorf in agreement with א*G, the Bohairic and the Latin versions; WH give it a place in their margin.

2. κήρνξον κ.τ.λ In the parallel passage, 1 Timothy 5:21, διαμαρτύρομαι κ.τ.λ. is followed by ἴνα with the subjunctive; here it is followed by a series of aorist imperatives. For such general precepts the present imperative is usual, but here we have the aorist, as the thought is of a line of conduct to be terminated at a definite epoch which is in view[522], viz. the Second Advent of Christ.

[522] See this illustrated in Blass, Grammar of N. T. Greek, § 58.2.

κήρυξον τὸν λόγον, proclaim the word, sc. of God (2 Timothy 2:9). ὁ λόγος is here used for ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ, the Divine message of the Gospel, as in Galatians 6:6; Colossians 4:3 (see Additional Note on 1 Timothy 4:5).

ἐπίστηθι εὐκαίρως�, be instant in season, out of season, sc. not only in regard to preaching, but to all the duties of your important office. Paul does not use εὐκαίρως elsewhere (but cp. 1 Corinthians 16:12 εὐκαιρεῖσθαι), nor ἀκαίρως (but cp. Philippians 4:10 ἀκαιρεῖσθα); the oxymoron is rendered well by the Latins, opportune, importune. The precept must be interpreted in practice so as not to do violence to that other precept μὴ δῶτε τὸ ἅγιον τοῖς κυσίν (Matthew 7:6).

ἔλεφξον, reprove, rather than ‘bring to the proof,’ the marginal alternative of the R.V.; cp. 1 Timothy 5:20. The apparent parallelism between the clauses of this verse and those of 2 Timothy 3:16 is not to be pressed.

ἐπιτίμησον, παρακάλεσον, rebuke, exhort (see crit. note for the order of words). The verb ἐπιτιμᾷν is not used again by St Paul (cp. 2 Corinthians 2:6 ἐπιτιμία), but it is the regular N.T. word for ‘to rebuke.’ For παρακαλεῖν, παράκλησις, see on 1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:13.

ἐν πασῇ μακροθυμίᾳ. See note on 1 Timothy 1:16; this and the following διδαχῇ qualify the three preceding imperatives. Rebuke must be ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ, it being borne in mind that ἡ� (1 Corinthians 13:4).

καὶ διδαχῇ. Rebuke and exhortation must be accompanied with teaching, or they will be unprofitable. Evil and falsehood are less effectually dispelled by controversy than by the presentation of the good and the true.