2 Timothy 4:2 KJV
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
My thoughts today are on the word "instant."
That we are to preach the word is understood.
That we are to do it both in season and out of season (when it is convenient and when it is not) seems easy enough to comprehend.
But the word "instant" is used in an unusual way for our modern language and I suggest that most of the time we assume an understanding of the word because of its context. We usually say it means something like, "be ready to preach all of the time."
Strong’s Concordance says the Greek is
From G1909 and G2476; to stand upon, that is, be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literally): - assault, come (in, to, unto, upon), be at hand (instant), present, stand (before, by, over).
Smiths Bible Dictionary says
Instant, In the Authorized Version, means urgent, urgently or fervently,
Webster's 1828 Dictionary says
1. Pressing; urgent; importunate; earnest.
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. Rom 12.
2. Immediate; without intervening time; present.
Impending death is thine and instant doom.
3. Quick; making no delay.
Instant he flew with hospitable haste.
4. Present; current. On the tenth of July instant.
Clarke's Commentary says,
Wherever thou meetest a sinner, speak to him the word of reconciliation. Do not be contented with stated times and accustomed places merely; all time and place belong to God and are proper for his work. Wherever it can be done, there it should be done...
My conclusion:
Be fervent - filled with passion
Be urgent - recognizing the danger to those who do not heed the message and
Be quick - preaching without hesitation
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
My thoughts today are on the word "instant."
That we are to preach the word is understood.
That we are to do it both in season and out of season (when it is convenient and when it is not) seems easy enough to comprehend.
But the word "instant" is used in an unusual way for our modern language and I suggest that most of the time we assume an understanding of the word because of its context. We usually say it means something like, "be ready to preach all of the time."
Strong’s Concordance says the Greek is
From G1909 and G2476; to stand upon, that is, be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literally): - assault, come (in, to, unto, upon), be at hand (instant), present, stand (before, by, over).
Smiths Bible Dictionary says
Instant, In the Authorized Version, means urgent, urgently or fervently,
Webster's 1828 Dictionary says
1. Pressing; urgent; importunate; earnest.
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. Rom 12.
2. Immediate; without intervening time; present.
Impending death is thine and instant doom.
3. Quick; making no delay.
Instant he flew with hospitable haste.
4. Present; current. On the tenth of July instant.
Clarke's Commentary says,
Wherever thou meetest a sinner, speak to him the word of reconciliation. Do not be contented with stated times and accustomed places merely; all time and place belong to God and are proper for his work. Wherever it can be done, there it should be done...
My conclusion:
Be fervent - filled with passion
Be urgent - recognizing the danger to those who do not heed the message and
Be quick - preaching without hesitation
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