You are probably aware that the chapter and verse divisions were not in the original manuscripts. Those were added much later. The Chapters were added in 1227 and the verses were added in 1551. There are some places where the divisions unfortunately break up the flow of the text. The division between 2 Timothy 3 and 4 is one of those places.
When I started this series I made the mistake of not reading past the end of chapter 3. The structure in the Greek reveals yet another brick in the firewall against evil men and impostors in 2 Timothy 4:5. You may remember that each of the other “bricks” were set off by the Greek phrase, Σὺ δὲ, literally “you but.” That same phrase starts 2 Timothy 4:5.
That means structurally that the second brick, the necessity of abiding in the Word of God does not end at 2 Timothy 3:17 but at 4:4. When we consider the text with that in mind some important observations come to light.
First, after exhorting Timothy to abide in the Word of God so strongly in 3:14 – 17, he then strongly – really strongly – charges him to proclaim what he learns from his abiding in the Word continually. Your Bible probably translates the first word of 4:2, “preach”. The word throughout history meant to herald or proclaim. It is the sense of proclaiming or heralding the message of the king or another authority.
Why would that matter?
What comes to mind when you read or hear the word preach? If you are like most of us you think sermon, preacher, Sunday morning, or Saturday night. But, we are all tasked to proclaim the Word. That is, if Jesus was serious about Matthew 28:18 – 20 and Paul meant what he told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2.
Second, notice that how Paul expands how "proclaim" mirrors the ministry of the Word of God in 4:2;
Our ministry to each other not only should emerge out of our abiding in the Word it should also mirror the ministry of the Word of God.
Lastly, note that 4:3 – 4 mirrors 3:1 – 5. This middle brick of proclaiming the results of abiding in the Word of God is a major counter to those who are spreading false teaching.
Which brings us to the third and final brick in the firewall…
That means structurally that the second brick, the necessity of abiding in the Word of God does not end at 2 Timothy 3:17 but at 4:4. When we consider the text with that in mind some important observations come to light.
First, after exhorting Timothy to abide in the Word of God so strongly in 3:14 – 17, he then strongly – really strongly – charges him to proclaim what he learns from his abiding in the Word continually. Your Bible probably translates the first word of 4:2, “preach”. The word throughout history meant to herald or proclaim. It is the sense of proclaiming or heralding the message of the king or another authority.
Why would that matter?
What comes to mind when you read or hear the word preach? If you are like most of us you think sermon, preacher, Sunday morning, or Saturday night. But, we are all tasked to proclaim the Word. That is, if Jesus was serious about Matthew 28:18 – 20 and Paul meant what he told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2.
Second, notice that how Paul expands how "proclaim" mirrors the ministry of the Word of God in 4:2;
| Teaching | Proclaim |
| Reproof | Reprove |
| Correction | Rebuke |
| Training in Righteousness | Exhort |
Our ministry to each other not only should emerge out of our abiding in the Word it should also mirror the ministry of the Word of God.
Lastly, note that 4:3 – 4 mirrors 3:1 – 5. This middle brick of proclaiming the results of abiding in the Word of God is a major counter to those who are spreading false teaching.
Which brings us to the third and final brick in the firewall…
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