Herald and preach the Word! (Amp)

Note that Paul does not simply say "Preach" but specifically commands us to "Preach the Word". Pastor Michael Andrus speaks to importance of this in his excellent message Biblical Theology: The Queen of the Sciences Must Recover Her Crown

Notice that Paul gives 5 commands in almost staccato like fashion reminiscent of military commands anticipating imminent conflict. Each verb is in the aorist imperative, conveying a sense of urgency as brought by the following paraphrases...

"This matter needs your full attention Timothy".
"Do this now!"
"Don't delay."

It is interesting that Paul's very choice of verbs (reprove, rebuke, exhort) reveals how resistant people will become to the pure milk of God’s Word. The world is bombarded with message after message offering hope after hope. But above all the messages and above all the hopes that bombard the world, there is one that is more needed by man than all the others — one that is so important that it supersedes all the others combined. That message is the Word of God. The Word of God offers the only lasting hope for man. For this reason the Word of God must be preached. The minister of God must commit himself to the awesome charge to preach the Word of God and to minister as never before. He is to be obsessed with a burning, even consuming passion to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Preach (2784) (kerusso or kerysso from kerux/keryx = a herald - one who acts as the medium of the authority of one who proclamation he makes; kerugma = the thing preached or the message) means to proclaim (publicly) or to herald or a public crier - the town official who would make a proclamation in a public gathering.

It means to proclaim a message as a herald did in the ancient days before radio and television. The Imperial Herald would enter a town in behalf of the Emperor, and make a public proclamation of the message which his Sovereign ordered him to give, doing so with such formality, gravity, and authority as must be heeded. He gave the people exactly what the Emperor bade him give, nothing more, nothing less. This should be the example and pattern for present day preachers of the gospel. We are not to add to or water down the Gospel of God!

Wuest has an excellent paraphrase of 2Timothy 4:2 rendering it...

make a public proclamation of the Word with such formality, gravity, and authority as must be heeded. Hold yourself in readiness for this proclamation when opportunity presents itself and when it does not; reprove so as to bring forth conviction and confession of guilt; rebuke sharply, severely, and with a suggestion of impending penalty. Pleadingly exhort, doing all this with that utmost self-restraint which does not hastily retaliate a wrong, and accompany this exhortation with the most painstaking instruction (Erdmans) 

In summary, the herald's official duties in those days included proclamation of war, challenging to battle,  proclamation of peace and bearing of messages from the commander of an army. More specifically a herald tells what the one in authority has told him to declare and so he is sent with a message that he must not change in any way, the message always having a suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed -- the listener needs to hear and heed.

Not to heed the ruler’s messenger was serious and to abuse the messenger was even worse. The practical application is that the King of Heaven has committed His gospel message to every believer (cf Mt 28:18 19 20), His bearers of the good news and it is our duty to faithfully and with proper dignity proclaim this message of life to the "living dead" (Eph 2:1) without shrinking back in shame (Acts 20:20 27) and without altering or falsifying the message (2Ti 2:15).

Dear believer in Christ, note that Kerusso does not necessarily imply an ordained, seminary trained minister preaching from a stately church pulpit (John Wesley was thrown out of many formal church pulpits and had to resort to preaching in open fields).

Wuest adds that kerusso

"at once...called to (Timothy's) mind the Imperial Herald, spokesman of the Emperor, proclaiming in a formal, grave, and authoritative manner which must be listened to, the message which the Emperor gave him to announce. It brought before him the picture of the town official who would make a proclamation in a public gathering. The word is in a construction (Ed note: Aorist imperative) which makes it a summary command to be obeyed at once. It is a sharp command as in military language. This should be the pattern for the preacher today. His preaching should be characterized by that dignity which comes from the consciousness of the fact that he is an official herald of the King of kings. It should be accompanied by that note of authority which will command the respect, careful attention, and proper reaction of the listeners. There is no place for clowning in the pulpit of Jesus Christ."

I would add that when a city received word of the imminent appearance of the great Roman Emperor, thorough preparations were made -- buildings and streets were scrubbed as the towns people worked hard to prepare themselves and their city for their coming king. They were excited about his coming and focused their full attention and energy upon his coming. In a similar manner, this is what the man and woman of God must do, heralding His Word, keeping in mind the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must be prepared for His return, and one way we are "prepared" is by preaching the Word. The conquering King of kings is returning. If we fail to preach the Word, we will stand before Him unprepared — embarrassed and ashamed.  (1Jn 2:28, Mt 24:44, Lu 19:13)

The first use of kerusso in the NT is illustrative describing John the Baptist who

came, preaching (kerusso) in the wilderness of Judea, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mt 3:1 3:2).

What was his season like? Herod "wanted to put him to death" because John had reproved him (Lu 3:19) saying ""It is not lawful" for Herod to marry his brother's wife. Herod eventually did command John's beheading so that "his head was brought on a platter" to the daughter of Herodias (Josephus says her name was Salome) (Mt 14:1-11)

To man's eye one might say John should have held his tongue and not "preach the Word", so he could continue to be useful to God. But God reminds us that "My thoughts are not your thoughts. Neither are your ways My ways." ( Isa55:8) and that no man can touch God's man until his time of service is completed even as was that of the "two witnesses" in the Revelation, John writing that

when they have finished their testimony (and NOT before), the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. (see note Revelation 11:7)

Ray Pritchard writes...

In a world of itching ears, Preach the Word!
To a generation gone astray, Preach the Word!
In a time of moral crisis, Preach the Word!
When people don’t want to hear you, Preach the Word!
When false teachers abound, Preach the Word!
In good times and in bad times, Preach the Word!
When people listen and when they don’t listen, Preach the Word!

The Word (3056) (logos) (Click in depth analysis of logos) in context refers to the Word of God and specifically to the good news, the Gospel (euaggelion), which is the supreme need of unregenerate man and is therefore to be Timothy's highest priority and his primary objective. Paul’s emphasis on the word of God has been constant with some 36 references to the gospel in this letter, and some 17 references to false teachings.

This verse reminds us of the little chorus in Sunday School called The B-I-B-L-E

The B-I-B-L-E,
Yes, that’s the book for me.
I stand alone on the Word of God,
The B-I-B-L-E.

A good chorus for every church to sing!

During the days of the Protestant Reformation, someone asked Martin Luther to explain the amazing success of his message of justification by faith alone. It was a good question because his message spread like wildfire across Europe even though Luther himself spent time in prison. How could one man have changed the course of history? In one of his more famous comments, he replied something like this

“While I slept or drank beer in Wittenberg with my friends … the Word did the work.” Then he added: “I did nothing. The Word did it all.”

The word to be preached is not a man's own ideas nor the ideas of other men - be it human philosophy, psychology, sociology, or education.

The word is not the message of self-image, self-esteem or personal development.

The Word is the very Word of God, the glorious gospel of our salvation (1Cor 1:18,21, Acts 5:20). This is the Word that we are to preach, and we are to proclaim it from the housetops boldly and courageously (Mt 10:27) irregardless of the tempestuousness of the trials we are called to endure or the viciousness of the threats the truth inflames.

As Paul wrote in an earlier letter

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. (1Cor 9:16)

Or as Jeremiah declared

if I say "I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name," then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bone and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it. (Jer20:9)

Matthew Henry adds that

It is not their own notions and fancies that they are to preach, but the pure plain Word of God; and they must not corrupt it

John MacArthur, one of the finest expositors America has produced gives us the key to his success and impact:

When I was a young boy, I told my father that I believed God had called me to preach. He gave me a Bible and wrote these words inside it: "Dear Johnny, Preach the Word! 2 Timothy 4:2. " It was a simple statement, but it became the compelling charge of my heart. Ever since that day, his biblical advice has remained with me."

Hugh Thomson Kerr said this in regard to the gospel message...

We are not to preach sociology, but salvation; not economics, but evangelism; not reform, but redemption; not culture, but conversion; not progress, but pardon; not a new social order, but a new birth; not revolution, but regeneration; not renovation, but revival; not resuscitation, but resurrection; not a new organization, but a new creation; not democracy, but the Gospel; not civilization, but Christ; we are ambassadors, not diplomats.

As the great Bible expositor G. Campbell Morgan said:

Our first business is to impart knowledge, and then our purpose must be to lead those whom we teach to obedience.

Morgan also said,

Preaching is not the proclamation of a theory, or the discussion of a doubt...Preaching is the proclamation of the Word, the truth as the truth has been revealed.

God's Word is the only message you are to proclaim. Look up the following verses to see what they say about God's Word. Meditate on the truths they teach and ask the Lord to give you a deeper appreciation for His Word. (Jer 15:16 Ps 119:9 Isa 40:8  Ps 12:6 19:8 Jer 23:29; Jn 15:3 Pr 6:23) (See notes Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:19; 1 Peter 2:23; 24 25; 1 Peter 2:2)

Why only God's Word? In First Thessalonians Paul writes...

we also constantly thank God that when you (Thessalonians) received from us the word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work (energeo ~ energizes) in you who believe (present tense). (see note 1Thessalonians 2:13)

In Romans Paul explains that..

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power (dunamis) of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (see note Romans 1:16)

Writing to the church at Colossae Paul teaches a similar truth about the power of God's Word...

(The Gospel) which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing (What is bearing fruit? The Gospel of God which is utilized by the Spirit of God), even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it (the Gospel) and understood the grace of God in truth (See note Colossians 1:6)

Purnell Bailey tells the following story that illustrates the truth in 2 Timothy 4:2...

We had a country parson who told the story about a young minister just out of seminary. The first Sunday in his mountain church he preached against smoking and discovered the anger of many tobacco farmers. The second Sunday the young cleric spoke out against the evils of drinking and caught the ire of those who were making a living with their whiskey stills. The third Sunday the preacher condemned with conviction the evils of gambling and found that those he had not angered already were at his heels because they raised horses for the race tracks. The next Sunday he did his best. Waving his arms with authority, he expounded on the evils of deep-sea fishing outside the boundaries of international waters. Men-pleasers have a hard time preaching the gospel.

Note the following metaphors for God's word and the effect of each -- little wonder unsaved men turn away

FIRE

Behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire and this people wood and it shall devour them." (Jer 5:14) "Is not My word like a fire? (Jer 23:29)

HAMMER

Is not My word like...a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (Jer 23:29)

SWORD

For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword" (see note Hebrews 4:12) "take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (see note Ephesians 6:17)

BE READY: epistethi (2SAAM): (Ac13:5;Ro12:12; 1Tim4:15 16)

Be urgent (ASV)
Be persistent (NLT),
preach the word of God urgently (TLB),
be prepared (NIV)
Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], (Amp)
insist on it (NJB)
be on hand with it (JNT)
be zealous (WNT)
be earnest (YLT)

Urgent is the Authorized Version translation which vividly conveys the idea of pressing on with necessity.

Be ready (2186) (ephistemi from epi = upon + histemi = stand) means to stand by, be at hand, be present.

In the the aorist imperative, ephistemi conveys the ideas of urgency, preparedness, and readiness, as of a soldier ready to go into battle on a moment’s notice or  a guard who stands continually on alert for threat of enemy infiltration or attack. In broadcasting terms the idea would be "Stand by --You're on the Air'".

Paul is commanding Timothy to "take a stand, to stand upon it or up to it, to carry on, to stick to it", proclaiming the truth regardless of whether the circumstances are difficult or easy.

The KJV "be instant" emphasizes the ideas of urgent, importunate (pressing or urging in request or demand) and persevering.

Be at your work, attend to it always, in and out of season; let nothing stop you. Be always ready and always at hand. Like a good soldier of Christ Jesus (see note 2 Timothy 2:3; 2:4)

Timothy (and us) was always to be at his post, alert to embrace every opportunity of making known the gospel, even insisting, urging.

Every "Timothy" and "Timothea" must

Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them...Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. (1Ti 4:15 16)

Soldiers of the cross are never ''on furlough'' because our unseen foe ever seeks to bring us low. Above all let us as men and women of the Book live IN His holy Word and we will always have a word from God to speak forth. Are you memorizing His Word? (Mt 4:4) (See related topics Memorizing His Word; Application: Meditate; A Primer On Biblical Meditation)

Spurgeon wrote

What in a Christian minister is the most essential quality for securing success in winning souls for Christ?… earnestness...Success is proportionate to the preacher’s earnestness (Lectures to My Students)

IN SEASON [AND] OUT OF SEASON: eukairos akairos: (Jn 4:6-10,32-34; Acts 16:13;14 31-33 20:7; 18 19 20 chained to a guard Acts 28:16 30,31).

even if it isn't the popular thing to do (CEV)
whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome (Amp)
whether it is convenient or inconvenient (NAB)
welcome or unwelcome (NJB)
even if it isn't the popular thing to do (CEV)
whether the time is favorable or not (NLT)
favorable or unfavorable (NRSV).

The challenge of faithfully preaching the Word brings the believer into conflict with others. Some seasons will be immediately satisfying but others will not be so satisfying. In some seasons the fruit is evident, and in others the fruit seems invisible. Some seasons from a human perspective seem suitable for profitable proclamation but others seem not to be so well suited. It matters not what the preacher's perception is...the command remains to preach irregardless.

Season is a derivative of  kairos (2540) not chronos (time in general) and refers to an opportune time, an opportunity (a "window of opportunity"). (Click for an in depth word study of kairos).

Kairos is a fixed and definite time, a period possessed of certain characteristics.

Kairos does not emphasize a point of time but rather a time space filled with all kinds of possibilities.

An ancient Greek statue depicted a man with wings on his feet, a large lock of hair on the front of his head, and no hair at all on the back. Beneath was the inscription:

“Who made thee? Lysippus made me. What is thy name? My name is Opportunity. Why hast thou wings on thy feet? That I may fly away swiftly. Why hast thou a great forelock? That men may seize me when I come. Why art thou bald in back? That when I am gone by, none can lay hold of me.”

As Shakespeare wrote:

There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. (Julius Caesar, 4.3.217)

Napoleon said,

There is in the midst of every great battle a ten to fifteen minute period that is the crucial point. (cf "Kairos") Take that period and you win the battle; lose it and you will be defeated.

Paul is saying that we should make

the most of every opportunity (kairos), because the days are evil." (see note Ephesians 5:16)

Some opportunities will be "In season" (2122) (eukairos from eu = good + kairos = season, opportune time) which as an adverb (modifies "preach") means opportunely (the "right time") or conveniently.

Some "opportunities" will be out of season!

Out of season (171) (akairos from a = without + kairos = opportune time) which as an adverb (modifies "preach") means inopportunely, unfavorably, unseasonably, inconveniently, untimely.

In Season and out recalls to mind the advice of "the Preacher" writing

Sow your seed in the morning, and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. (Ecc 11:6)

Wuest adds that

The preacher is to proclaim the Word when the time is auspicious, favorable, opportune, and also when the circumstances seem unfavorable. So few times are still available for preaching that the preacher must take every chance he has to preach the Word. There is no closed season for preaching  (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)

There was once a Church of England clergyman who was gloriously saved.  When Jesus Christ transformed his life, he started preaching the gospel to his whole parish, and they all got saved.  Then he started preaching in neighboring parishes, and the clergymen of those parishes became offended.  The asked the bishop to make the man stop.  When the bishop confronted him, he said “I hear you are always preaching, you don’t seem to be doing anything else.”  The transformed man replied, “Well bishop, I only preach during two seasons of the year.”  The bishop said, “I’m glad to know that; what seasons are they?”  He replied, “In season and out of season!”

So whether the time is favorable or not (as in the "latter days" when there will be difficult people) we have our orders. The proof that we are in a right relationship with God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not and whether the Word is welcomed or not. It is easy to make excuses when we ought to be making the most of the opportunity (see note Colossians 4:5; 4:6).

IVP Bible background commentary adds that...

Greco-Roman moralists often discussed the “appropriate” time for speech, especially frank speech; Paul says that Timothy should announce his message whether or not people are willing to listen

The dictates of popular culture, tradition, reputation, acceptance, or esteem in the community (or in the church) must never alter the true preacher’s commitment to proclaim God’s Word. Paul addressing the Ephesian elders reminded them that he practiced what he preached -

You yourselves know, from the firs