2 Timothy 4:2
What does 2 Timothy 4:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 4:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 4:2 means
Timothy’s central task is clear: preach the word. He must be ready at all times—when conditions seem favorable and when they do not. Faithful preaching includes correction and warning, as well as encouragement. Yet these firm actions must be carried out with patient endurance and careful instruction, showing that love and truth go together. Ministry is not merely about passion but about perseverance and teaching that shapes minds and hearts. Paul calls Timothy to a balanced practice: bold in confronting error, tender in dealing with people, and steady in communicating doctrine, so that the church may be grounded when tests come.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Be preaching the word at all times, in every place; make protests, say sharp words, give comfort, with long waiting and teaching;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862preach the word; be earnest in season, out of season, convict, rebuke, exhort, in all long-suffering and teaching,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890proclaim the word; be urgent in season [and] out of season, convict, rebuke, encourage, with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Context
Having set the solemn stage in verse 1, Paul turns to specific marching orders. Verse 2 provides the heart of Timothy’s ministerial duty in light of Christ’s judgment and kingdom. The charge anticipates the challenges described in verses 3–4—times when people will refuse sound doctrine and chase fables. Timothy’s steadiness “in season, out of season,” his patient instruction, and his corrective ministry form the necessary antidote. The next verses will explain why such endurance is needed and outline the pressures that would tempt a minister to soften or abandon faithful proclamation.
v.1I chargetheein the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
v.2This passage
v.3For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 40:9
I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly; Lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Jehovah, thou knowest.
- 1 Timothy 5:20
Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all.
- Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
- Romans 12:12
rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;
- John 4:6
and Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
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