Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

2 Timothy 4:2

κήρυξον : In 1 Timothy 5:21 διαμαρτ. is followed by ἵνα with the subj.; in 2 Timothy 2:14 by the inf. Here the adjuration is more impassioned; hence the abruptness; this is heightened also by the aorists.

ἐπίστηθι : Insta, Be at hand, or Be ready to act. ἐπίστ. εὐκ. ἀκ. qualifies adverbially κήρυξον; while the following imperatives, ἔλεγξον, κ. τ. λ., are various departments of “preaching the word”.

εὐκαίρως ἀκαίρως : opportune, importune (Vulg.). So few καιροί remain available (see next verse), that you must use them all. Do not ask yourself, “Is this a suitable occasion for preaching?” Ask rather, “Why should not this be a suitable occasion?” “Have not any limited season; let it always be thy season, not only in peace and security and when sitting in the Church” (Chrys.).

Similar expressions are cited by Bengel, e.g., digna indigna; praesens absens; nolens volens. We need not ask whether the reasonableness, etc., has reference to the preacher or the hearers. The direction is to disregard the inclinations of both.

ἔλεγξον : Taking this in the sense convict, Chrys. comments thus on the three imperatives, “After the manner of physicians, having shown the wound, he gives the incision, he applies the plaister”.

ἐπιτίμησον : “The strict meaning of the word is ‘to mete out due measure,' but in the N.T. it is used only of censure”. So Swete (on Mark 1:25), who also notes that with the exceptions of this place and Jude 1:9, it is limited to the Synoptists.

παρακάλεσον : See on 1 Timothy 4:13.

ἐν πάσῃ μακροθυμίᾳ καὶ διδαχῇ : This qualifies each of the three preceding imperatives; and πάσῃ belongs to διδαχῇ as well as to μακρ., with the utmost patience and the most painstaking instruction.

διδαχῇ : “( teaching) seems to point more to the act, διδασκαλία (doctrine) to the substance or result of teaching” (Ell.). In the only other occurrence of διδαχή in the Pastorals, Titus 1:9, it means doctrine.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

2 Timothy 4:2

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