At the end of 2 Timothy, Paul is wrapping up his instructions to his assistant, impressing on him the need to continue in what he had learned and remember from whom he had  believed it.

2Timothy 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.”

These verses start with a Wallop – Timothy was charged in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus!

The purpose is a Warning – people will grow tired of the true gospel and will follow their “itching ears” to messages and a way of life that are easier for them.

Paul lists activities the wise, godly leader will pursue to combat budding heresy:

–          Preach the word

–          Be ready in season and out of season

–          Reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and teaching

–          Be sober-minded

–          Endure suffering

–          Do the work of an evangelist

–          Fulfill your ministry

Good advice then, and good advice now.