James 1:9-11

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

James 1:9-11

The "lowly brother" is to "boast in his exaltation".  Who is the "lowly brother"?  Well, it is a "brother", which means a brother in Christ.  However, why is he "lowly"?  Well, lowly is referring to the fact that he is poor, as NLT translates.  This is also in contrast to "the rich" in verse 10.

What is the "exaltation" that the "lowly brother" is to boast in?  NLT explains the reason as "for God has honored them" and AMP describes this as "his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God]".  Though this "lowly brother" is poor, he can boast in his salvation and right standing before God becuase of what God has done for him.  His "high position" is that he's a "born-again believer" and his calling to "true riches and to be an heir of God".  As followers of Jesus, we all have much to boast about.  However, in contrast to their lowly position in this world, the poor should be reminded (perhaps even moreso) about what they can boast about in God.

In contrast to the "lowly brother", verse 10 moves on to speak about "the rich man".  He is to boast "in his humiliation".  NLT and AMP describe this as being humbled by God.  Sure, followers of Jesus who are both rich and poor face many trials.  I'm sure that even the poor will be humbled by God.  However, this is probably more apparent for the rich, who have more worldly things to boast in compared to the poor.  The rich must be reminded (perhaps even moreso than the poor) about boasting in humiliation.

So, why is it a good thing for the rich to boast in his own humiliation?  The reason is because "like a flower of the grass he will pass away".  Flowers come and go.  The sun withers the grass and kills it.  Though it may have once been beautiful, it's beauty fades away as it dies.  Like the grass, the rich man will also fade away.  This will happen while he is persuing this or that.  So, because the rich man will pass away like the grass, he should boast in his humiliation.  Perhaps this is a reality check.  It could serve to remind him not to put all his hope on earthly wealth.  Like the poor man, his hope and trust should be in true riches from God.

John 1:9-13

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:9-13

We now switch back from John the Baptist to Jesus, who is the light.  He is the true light.  This is probably in contrast to John, who wasn't the true light.  Later on in this chapter, some come to ask who John is.  They suspect him to be the Christ or Elijah or the prophet.  He is not the true light.  He does bear witness about the light and he does prepare the way.  However, Jesus is the true light.

Jesus gives light to everyone.  Like the son shining on the earth, Jesus gives light to everyone.  This same light is the one who comes into the world.  How crazy is that?  It's laid out clearly here in verse 10: "He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him".  He created the world and he was in the world.  It's like a painter stepping into his own painting.  This is what Jesus did.  And yet, it says of the creator inside his own creation: "yet the world did not know him".  He created and gave life to it all, and none of them even knew him.  They didn't realize that they were with the very one who made it all.

The next verse makes it clear that they didn't know him: "He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him".  Not only was he not known, he was not received.  The Pharisees, Sadducees, and lawyers opposed Jesus.  The crowd of Jews were the ones who shouted "crucify him".  His own people didn't receive him.

It's actually interesting that "he came to his own".  Yes, he came to his own creation, which is what is talked about in previous verses.  However, this verse moves more towards "his own people".  Who are God's own people?  We read from the Old Testament about the Israelites who were God's chosen people.  The Jews are God's people and yet they rejected Jesus.

It's not as if nobody received him.  The next verse goes on to talk about those who in fact did receive him.  These people "he gave the right to become children of God".  They are children of God and are welcomed into the family.  This reminds me of what Paul talks about in Galatians when he refers to "adoption as sons".

What does it mean to receive him?  It means to "believe in his name".  What is his name?  Well, he's the Word, he's the Son of God, he is Emmanuel, which means God with us.  He is "the true light, which gives light to everyone".  To receive him is to believe in his name.  This is who he is.

To become children of God is to be born of God.  This is different from the normal kind of birth that we're used to.  This is perhaps what Jesus refers to later in Chapter three when he tells Nicodemus that you must be born again.  This is not entering once again into your mother's womb.  This is being born of God.

James 1:5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:5-8

I really like this passage and had it memorized at one point.  It encourages me to ask for wisdom, reminds me that I need wisdom, and magnifies how great and wise God is.  It also reminds me to not doubt when it comes to asking God for wisdom.

This passage begins with referring to people who lack wisdom.  If you do, you can ask God for wisdom.  This means that you first need to admit that you lack wisdom.  Not many people want to admit that.  Most people want to feel smart and wise (myself included).  However, the truth is that we all lack wisdom.  Our wisdom pales in comparison to God's wisdom.

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

1 Corinthians 1:25

Even though we all lack wisdom, it is encouraging to know that God "gives generously to all without reproach".  He is wise and he is generous.  He's not stingy with his wisdom.  It's not as if he keeps it all to himself.  No, he gives generously.

Not only that, but wisdom is given "without reproach".  He's not going to make a fool out of you for asking or punish you for making this request.  Instead, he gives without reproach.  This means that you don't need to feel ashamed for asking for wisdom.  Your lack of wisdom is not a point of embarrassment.  He "gives generously to all without reproach".

There is one important thing to remember about asking for wisdom, and that is to ask in faith.  One who asks for wisdom shouldn't waver, unsure of whether his or her request will be made.  Instead, they should know and expect to be granted this request.  This "doubter" is described "like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind".  He is tossed to and fro the way the waves go back and forth.  This is the opposite of faith.  God is generous and having faith in him is that which is sure that this kind of request will be granted.

Now, it should be said that this isn't to say that we are to simply ask all things in faith and we will receive them.  Yes, we know that God is a good father.  Would a father give his son a serpent when asked for a fish (as it says in Matthew 7 and Luke 11)?  However, does God always grant our requests when we ask for good things?  I think of Jesus, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.  The cup was not taken from him as he requested.  I think of Paul, who was not granted that the thorn in his side be removed.  That was a good request, was it not?  I'll bet he asked in faith, requesting at least 3 times.  So, before we take this too far, we must not think that we can just receive every request we make.  This is probably true even if we ask for something in faith.

In any case, faith is still important.  To be such a double minded person is to be one who shouldn't expect to receive anything from the Lord.  One who is a doubter like this is one who is "unstable in all his ways".  NLT puts it this way: "Their loyalty is divided between God and the world".  So, perhaps the key is that their "doubt" and "double-mindedness" has to do with their wavering between loyalty to God and loyalty to the world.  One must put full faith in God, knowing who he is and acting as such.

John 1:6-8

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

John 1:6-8

Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness.  After much about him and how he was in the beginning and all things were made through him, we now switch to talking about John the baptist.  Now, it doesn't say "John the Baptist", but it only says "John".  However, we know that this is John the Baptist because it talks about the person sent from God to witness about Jesus.  This is John the Baptist.  He is the one who meant to prepare the way.

In any case, we read here that he was sent from God and came as a witness.  What does he witness?  He came to bear witness about the light.  For what purpose?  The purpose is so that all might believe through him.  So, that they might believe in Jesus through what John says.

Just to make it clear, it is mentioned again that "He was not the light".  Don't be confused because John the Baptist is not the Word, not the Light, not the one they are expecting.  He is only one who comes to bear witness about the light.  He prepares the way for Jesus.

James 1:1-4

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:1-4

James is the author of this letter.  Who is this James?  This is James, one of the brothers of Jesus.  It's interesting that James is such a prominent member of the church since he initially didn't believe Jesus.  We read about this in John 7: "For not even his brothers believed in him".  In any case, here he is now and there must've been a big change for him to now be a follower of this same Jesus who he previously did not believe in.

This letter is written "to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion".  The dispersion refers to the scattering of the Jewish people.  We read of this happening in the Old Testament on more than one occasion.  However, in this instance, it is probably referring to the dispersion of early Christians from Jerusalem due to persecution.  The fact that he uses the word "dispersion" probably signifies these people as Jewish.  In addition, we notice in the letter that they are Christians who he is addressing.

Beyond the greeting, the letter begins with James talking about trials.  The recipients of this letter have certainly had their fair share of trials, so it is probably appropriate that James addresses this issue.  However, it's interesting that James tells them to "Count it all joy" when talking about meeting trials.  This is an odd thing to say.  It's not as if most people would tell someone struggling with a terminal disease to take joy in this disease.  But this is what James does.

Why does he do this?  Well, he explains the reasoning: "for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness".  The trial has a purpose and it is for producing steadfastness.  Other translations use different words here, such as "endurance" and "perseverance".  Passing through difficulties will help one weather new storms that come.  It is because of this building of ones perseverance that James says to "count it all joy".  It is not the trial itself that one is to take joy in, but the result or fruit that will come from experiencing it.  So, with this fruit of steadfastness that will grow, his readers are encouraged to let it fully grow and blossom.  For it to have it's full effect is to result in you being "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing".  Experiencing trials and growing in endurance will result in a great maturity beyond it's current status.

I can imagine that those words: "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" could be taken too literally.  One will be quite that, but that isn't to say that you will be perfect in the way that Paul has not yet and will not in this life reach perfection.  We read this in Philippians 3:

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

-Philippians 3:12-16

He hasn't made it yet, but strives for perfection.  I believe that when James talks about the steadfastness that results from experiencing trials, this is that which grows oneself towards perfection but one will never be perfect in this life.  Instead, the perfection is probably a different kind of perfect than the one Paul is referring to in Philippians.  Perhaps this is a perfection owing to one's own steadfastness through trials.  However, that isn't to say that this person is perfect and never sins.

Anyways, it is a difficult thing to "count it all joy" when facing trials, but we are to do it because of the endurance gained through the experience.  Let us look to the fruit and take joy in it.

Actually, going back, what kind of trails are these?  Well, they are "trials of various kinds" as James says, but I think he is referring to persecution for following Jesus.  These are people who are part of the dispersion and there was a lot of persecution of Christians in that time.  He also specifically addresses them as "brothers", meaning brothers in Christ.  So, this steadfastness or endurance produced through facing trials is not just any trial, but probably ones owing to the fact that you are following Jesus.  Perhaps this is why in AMP, it says "And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing".  Specifically, it is your faith in Christ that is pefect, developed and lacking in nothing as the AMP puts it.

John 1:4-5

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:4-5

It's actually pretty interesting that I have just gotten to 1 John 5:11-12 now that we're at John 1:4-5.  We read that "in him was life".  So, it is in Jesus that there is life.  Similarly, in 1 John 5 we read about life being in Jesus:

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5:11-12

So, cross referencing 1 John 5, I am guessing that this life in Jesus is eternal life.  However, some translations connect this part about "life" to the creation of everything.  So, instead, life in Jesus is his giving of life to all in his creating of all things.  I guess both are true, but here in John 1 it is probably referring to creation.

Continuing about this life that was in Jesus, we read that "the life was the light of men".  We move from creation through Jesus, to life in Jesus, to light.  This life is light and it applies to men.  The life is the light of men.  It is the light that shines in the darkness.  We read that the darkness has not overcome the light.  There is a battle that is victorious in favor of the light.

I feel as if there is so much to this passage, yet I don't know how much I'd be reaching.  I do know from 1 John 1 that God is light.  I find it very interesting that the idea of light is spoken about Jesus, but it is also spoken of God.  I don't think it's a point of proof, but it is yet another push in the direction that Jesus is God.

John 1:2-3

He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:2-3

The second verse kinda puts two parts from the first verse together.  In verse 1 we read "in the beginning was the Word" and "the Word was with God".  Put together is simply verse two: "He was in the beginning with God".  I'm not sure if this is simply a repetition and doesn't really add anything.  I guess sometimes saying things again in a bit of a different way helps round out the truth of what is being said.  This is probably true as we move on to look at verse three.

In verse three we read that all things were made through him.  Him is still referring to Jesus (the Word).  However, it isn't left at that.  It goes on to say that "without him was not anything made that was made".  So, just in case you might think that there was something that was made apart from Jesus, it is made clear here in the text.  Though, "all things" doesn't necessarily leave much wiggle room, perhaps saying it from the opposite side is still valuable.

Some may argue that this is obviously omitting the creation of Jesus himself.  However, I don't think that's the case.  The text doesn't leave much room for that even if you might think it's implied.  If everything was made through him, that would count himself if he was made.  How could he himself be made apart from himself?  This leaves the fact that Jesus is eternal and has always existed.  He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end.

The fact that all things were made through him further supports the fact that Jesus is God.  Going back to Genesis 1, we read that "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth".  If all things were made through Jesus and it says that God created the heavens and the earth, doesn't that mean that Jesus is God?  We could even reference Colossians 1 where we read this verse:

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him

Colossians 1:16

It is by him, through him and for him that all things were created, including the heavens and the earth.

I've always wondered if people hold the position that God used Jesus in order to create all these things.  So, instead of claiming that Jesus is God, one might say that God created all things and he created all things through Jesus.  So, all things were created by both God and Jesus and when the bible says that God created the heavens and the earth, that is true just as it is true to say that it was also created by Jesus.  By doing so, one could claim that Jesus is not God on the basis of verses pointing to the fact that Jesus created these things and is the same as God who created these things.  In any case, that still leaves the very clear statement that "the Word was God" in verse 1, so there's still that hurdle.  I guess a common interpretation is to say that "the word was a god", but I don't buy into that.  To say that the word was "a god" has weird implications.  Is Jesus merely "a god"?  Does he deserve our worship and praise which is only supposed to be for God?  Does he forgive sins that only God can do?  Hm... I'm going a little far off course here...

All things were made through him.  He created all things and thus further supports that he is God because we read how God created the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1:1.

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1

Who is this "Word" that John is referring to here?  Well, I know and have been taught that it's Jesus.  However, how would we know this from just the text?  Or rather, how did those people who taught me know that?  Well, there's a lot here, but perhaps we can take a quick look at a few of them.  Well, this light is who John bears witness about.  John came to bear witness about Jesus, as we read from the gospel accounts that speak about John.  Not only that, but this is he who became flesh and dwelt among us.  Jesus came down from heaven and lived among us.  However, his own people did not receive him.  It's not as if the Jews were championing Jesus and supporting him.  No, they shouted "crucify him".  The "Word" is Jesus and that's who John is talking about.  I guess even looking again at the purpose of the book, it might've been an easy guess to say that John was talking about Jesus here.

There's a lot said about Jesus in just the first verse.  First of all, he was there in the beginning.  AMP takes liberties to translate it as "In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ)" and NLT also says something similar, "In the beginning the Word already existed".  So, Jesus was there before all time and in fact already existed.  This is in contrast to those who believe that Jesus was created in the beginning.  Perhaps what John continues to say will negate that possibility.  If, in verse 3, all things were made through him, how could he be created if all things were made through him?  I guess you could argue that the verse is obviously excluding the creation of Jesus, but I don't think the argument is very strong.  If that's the case, why would the verse go on to say "and without him was not anything made that was made".  What's the point in adding that last bit?  Well, if nothing was made without him, then how was Jesus made?  The answer is that he wasn't made.  Jesus was there in the beginning.

The next two points are very interesting.  Not only was Jesus with God, but it also says that Jesus was God.  How can Jesus be both with God and be God?  This is the mystery of the Godhead.  I know that many people deny that Jesus is God, but I don't know how you can say that with this verse as clear as day.  Yes, I recognize that one way is to interpret this verse to say that Jesus was "a god".  However, I think that has worse implications that don't really make sense.  How can Jesus be "a god"?  Does he still deserve worship as the angels worship him as is mentioned in Hebrews?  Is he not the one who all things were created through, which is referred to as God in Genesis 1?  In the story of the healing of the paralytic, does he forgive sins as the Pharisees rightly ascribe only to God?  What about Jesus' reaction to people calling him God in contrast to the apostles in the same situation in the book of acts?  Though there are points that people will point to that seemingly point away from Jesus being God, to do so will deny other scripture.  So what do you do?  Do we pick and choose one and not the other?  I believe whatever view we pick should be one that respects and holds up every verse of the bible instead of ignoring some and not others.  I feel that when people deny that Jesus is God, they are ignoring some scriptures in favor of others.

I remember going through the book of John carefully reading each and every verse in hopes to determine what the bible said about whether or not Jesus was God.  There were a lot of verses that seemed to point to Jesus not being God, and there were a few (like here in John 1) that pointed to Jesus being God.  When I tried to begin with the verses seemingly denying that Jesus was God, I could find no way to reconcile it with verses clearly saying that Jesus was God.  However, when I began with verses about how Jesus was God, I was able to somehow (though not easy) reconcile verses that seemed to say that Jesus was not God.  In other words, if I say Jesus is not God, I cannot reconcile John 1:1, "and the Word was God".  However, if I did not deny that Jesus was God, I was able to say that Jesus was both God and things like how Jesus can do nothing of his own accord.  How is that possible?  Jesus is both God and he is also human.  I cannot deny either one of these.  I know I do not have a full and well rounded understanding of Christ and the scriptures, but that is on the basis of my own personal study and reading thus far.

Jesus is God.  It says so in the bible.  It may be hard to reconcile that with other verses of the bible.  However, let my understanding submit to scripture instead of scripture submitting to my understanding.

John 20:30-31

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20:30-31

I have been reading the book of John a lot lately.  I really like it and it's very good.  I guess all of God's word is very good, but perhaps I'm referring to a certain specific affection that has grown in me towards this book.  Maybe that's just the case with the more time we spend in different parts of scripture.

In any case, I flash forward to chapter 20.  Here we read the purpose of this book.  Maybe it would've made sense to begin with the purpose of the book back in chapter 1, but this is John.  John isn't quite as organized as someone like Paul.  As I heard from a preacher speaking on 1 John, it's as if he switches randomly from topic to topic.  So, if he has 5 topics, he'll talk about topic 1, then topic 3, then jump back to 1, then move on to 4, then 2, then back to 3, then back to 1, then to 5, in a seemingly random manner.  I guess that's not necessarily how it feels when reading the book of John, but it did come to mind when thinking about the placement of the purpose of this book.  Then again, having it at the end kinda makes sense as well.

The purpose of this book is twofold.  First, it is written "so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God".  So, the purpose is for the reader to believe that Jesus is the Christ.  The things written and how it is laid out and composed is to lead the reader to this belief.

The second purpose has to do with the first purpose.  In believing in Jesus, the reader "may have life in his name".  I guess you could argue that it's really one purpose.  Depends on how you look at it.  In any case, believing that Jesus is the Christ is the purpose, which has to do with having life in his name.  The purpose of the book should be kept in mind when reading through John.  I know I need to remind myself because it's easy for me to forget that.

2 Timothy 4:6-22

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
 Do your best to come to me soon.  For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.  Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.  Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.  When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.  Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.  Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.  At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!  But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.  The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.  Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus.  Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.
 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

2 Timothy 4:6-22

In contrast to the charge Paul gives to Timothy, Paul comments on the fact that he will die soon.  He has "fought the good fight" and there is a reward, "the crown of righteousness".  It is for those who do fight well and "have kept the faith" that will receive the crown of righteousness.  Paul also mentions that this is not only for him, but for "all who have loved his appearing".  People who are anticipating the second coming are those who will receive the crown of righteousness.  It is him that we long to see, is it not?

Now this letter comes to a close.  Paul wants Timothy to come to him soon.  He also mentions a lot of different people, like Demas who deserted him and some other people who are no longer with him.  However, Luke is with him and he wants Mark to come as well.  I believe this is the same Mark that deserted him in the past and this was the center of a dispute between Paul and Barnabas.  In any case, there are instructions for Timothy to bring his cloak and books.  There is a warning about Alexander the
Coppersmith.

Paul also mentions that no one came to stand by him at his first defense.  It must have been hard to be alone at that time.  However, Paul was strengthened by the Lord who stood by him.  His strengthening wasn't only for his own sake, but "so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it".

There is also an interesting verse that caught my attention: "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."  I wonder if this is a popular verse among certain folk.  I can imagine people using it to proclaim nothing bad happening to them.  I doubt that is the case because Paul certainly had his fair share of difficulties.  Yet, the Lord did indeed rescue him.  Paul wasn't unscathed.  He was stoned to death, yet still alive.  That must've left a mark.  I believe the second part provides more clarity, "...and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom".  Well, it is appointed man once to die, so I don't think death is out of the picture.  How is one safely brought into the heavenly kingdom?  Perhaps attacks that will cause one to make shipwreck of the faith or one to falter are ones that bring this into question.  Physical safety isn't in question, but salvation.  Note that it isn't what Paul does that brings him safely into the kingdom, but what the Lord does.  God is the one who rescues and God is the one who brings Paul safely into his heavenly kingdom.  To God be all the glory.

Finally, some final greetings finish off this letter from Paul to Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,  and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.  As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

After having spoken about scripture and it's usefulness, Paul charges Timothy to "preach the word".  This is related because of the specifics of what he is charged to do.  Not only "preach the word", but Paul goes on to tell Timothy "reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching".  These are things that he just explained were purposes of scripture.

In any case, I still wonder what exactly Paul means by "preach the word".  I'm assuming he means the gospel, but "the word" can also refer to scripture.  Perhaps it is both.  The truth of the gospel is definitely to be proclaimed, but what he is also being told to do are things that the scriptures do.  In any case, this is a serious charge.  It is so serious that Paul starts by charging Timothy "in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus".  Not only that, but seriousness is added when Paul also describes Jesus as one "who is to judge the living and the dead".  Preaching the word is a serious matter.

So, why is this so important?  Well, it's important because "the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching".  Since people are not listening to the truth, truth needs to be preached.  Not only that, but people need to be reproved, rebuked, exhorted and taught.  Sometimes I find people shy away from something "negative", but correction can be a good thing if you're in the wrong.  The Christian life isn't all rainbows and butterflies.  Sometimes people who are very prominent and well respected need correction.  We all sin.  I think about Peter who was opposed by Paul in the book of Galatians.  Peter was in the wrong and leading others astray and needed to be corrected.  You might say that he was harsh or "being mean", but he needed to correct something that was wrong.

Regarding these people who "will not endure sound teaching", it's actually quite scary what is said about them: "having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths".  They'll just get people to tell them what they want to hear.  That's not a good thing.  It makes me think of a prominent leader surrounded by "yes men", simply agreeing to everything he or she says.  Instead, you need people who will speak the truth and tell you when you're making a bad decision.  Unfortunately, these people will not only gather teachers to itch their ears, but they won't even listen to the truth.  They will wander off into myths.  What are myths?  They are stories or beliefs of varying kinds, but they are all ultimately false.

In contrast to these people, Timothy is to "always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry".  These are the things he will need to be doing in light of the fact that people will not endure sound teaching.  I'm guessing it will be hard at times, which is why he must "endure suffering".  Perhaps especially with all kinds of things people will turn to when turning away from the truth, Timothy needs to be "sober-minded" or "clear-minded".  This will probably help to determine what kinds of falsehoods people are being taught.  In any case, he is to continue working, which is to be an evangelist and carry out his ministry.