… ²preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Readiness does not mean that the task of preaching is entirely up to us, so we better get it right. After all, Jesus did promise: “[D]o not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Luke 12:11b–12). Also, “[T]he Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (John 14:26)

Whether our Lord intended these teachings to be for the twelve apostles only or for us as well, or whether they apply to times of persecution only, may be argued by theologians. Yes, the Holy Spirit has a role in reminding us of the Word of God. But we should not be haphazard about this; we must “[b]e diligent to present [ourselves] approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). It is our responsibility to integrate the Word of God into our lives so that we are ready to bring the truth of Scripture into any situation we may face.

The apostle Paul lists three ways we can do this, in particular as it relates to confronting false teachers and wrong doctrine. First, we can use the Word to reprove, that is, to show convincingly from Scripture that another person is guilty of wrongdoing. Of course, we should first apply this to reproving ourselves, as Paul intimates elsewhere, “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). Notice how our passage today ends, that we are to reprove others “with great patience and instruction.” We proclaim the Word when we teach it in a way that the Holy Spirit brings conviction to people who sin. We do this by patiently instructing others from specific places in the Word about their wrongdoing.

Secondly, we use the Word to not only expose a person’s error or sin, but to rebuke them as well. This happens when we embody the Word and apply it interpersonally and as we proclaim it more directly and personally. We, in effect, become the mouthpiece through which the Spirit speaks into another’s life. Finally, we use the Word to instruct ( translated “encourage” in the NIV, NLT). The Greek word here is related to the term “paraclete,” which describes the Spirit as our “Helper” in John 14:26. Our ultimate goal is to use the Word to “come beside,” to help others through counsel and encouragement.

Lord, help me know Your Word so that I can be an effective help to others.