What does it mean to be ready in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2)?

Answer

If you were to write your final letter to a dear friend, what would you say? In 2 Timothy, we glimpse Paul’s possible last words to Timothy, his disciple and “son in the faith” “unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”, (1 Timothy 1:2). In chapter 4, Paul offers Timothy a series of serious encouragements, urging him to remain faithful to the truth about God and Jesus Christ. Paul instructs Timothy to “be ready in season and out of season” “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”, (2 Timothy 4:2, ESV). The complete command is as follows:
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:1-2;NKJV).

The term translated as “ready” originates from the Greek word for “stand.” The concept is to always be “standing by,” always “on-duty,” and “ready to go.” The term also implies urgency in the original language. An illustration could be a soldier standing at attention, alert and prepared to assist at any moment. Timothy was to “be ready in season and out of season,” consistently prepared to fulfill whatever God calls him to do “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”, (2 Timothy 4:2).

In the original language,The terms “in season and out of season” signify “timely and untimely” or “convenient and inconvenient.” “In season” literally means “good time,” while “out of season” has the opposite meaning, derived from the same word with a different prefix. Another instance of this word is in Mark 14:11, where Judas seeks a “good time” or “opportunity” to betray Jesus.

By being “ready in season and out of season,” Timothy is equipped to carry out the tasks Paul outlined: “preach the word,” “correct,” and “rebuke and encourage” «preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. », (2 Timothy 4:2). Timothy was to fulfill these duties regardless of convenience. He was to always be prepared to proclaim God’s truth in any situation. This was his responsibility as a pastor, irrespective of his personal emotions or the reactions of the audience (2 Timothy 4:3-5).

What about us today? Similar to Timothy, we are instructed to constantly be prepared for God’s work (1 Peter 3:15;1 Corinthians 16:13;Galatians 6:9-10). It is tempting to only engage with our faith during church services, mistakenly thinking that we are representing God solely at that time. However, this was not an option for Timothy, and it is not for us either. If you are a Christian, you are part of a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” «But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: », (1 Peter 2:9). Whether addressing a crowd or fixing a tire, we should always be prepared to proclaim His praises and His truth to an observing world, regardless of the circumstances.