“Be instant, in season, out of season.” (2 Timothy 4:2). We usually quote this verse when someone asks us to speak, teach, or preach on the spur of the moment. “You know, the Bible says “Be instant…”
But Paul had something else in mind. The words “be instant” mean “stay at your post.” It was a military term that reminded sentries, like the one in the photo, not to abandon their responsibilities.
The term “in season” means when things are going well. Interestingly, Paul wrote the first letter to Timothy when the church at Ephesus was experiencing significant growth and things were going well. They were “in season”.
“Out of season” refers to the difficult and trying times of life. Second Timothy was written after a flurry of persecution had begun in Ephesus. Christians were fleeing the city, abandoning their faith, and the church was struggling.
Paul told Timothy, “Stay at your post, and don’t quit! Stay there and do what God has told you to do when times are good, and if times turn bad, remain persistent and faithful.”
The same challenge is issued to us today…not “be ready to speak at any time,” but in good times and in bad times, stay at your post! If you do, you can say with Paul in verses 7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.”
But Paul had something else in mind. The words “be instant” mean “stay at your post.” It was a military term that reminded sentries, like the one in the photo, not to abandon their responsibilities.
The term “in season” means when things are going well. Interestingly, Paul wrote the first letter to Timothy when the church at Ephesus was experiencing significant growth and things were going well. They were “in season”.
“Out of season” refers to the difficult and trying times of life. Second Timothy was written after a flurry of persecution had begun in Ephesus. Christians were fleeing the city, abandoning their faith, and the church was struggling.
Paul told Timothy, “Stay at your post, and don’t quit! Stay there and do what God has told you to do when times are good, and if times turn bad, remain persistent and faithful.”
The same challenge is issued to us today…not “be ready to speak at any time,” but in good times and in bad times, stay at your post! If you do, you can say with Paul in verses 7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.”
Duke Stone
After 40 years in full-time ministry, I try to see how the little things in life speak big things about God. This blog is an attempt to share with you the many ways I see the love of God in the ordinary things of life.
After 40 years in full-time ministry, I try to see how the little things in life speak big things about God. This blog is an attempt to share with you the many ways I see the love of God in the ordinary things of life.
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