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Outline Structure of II Tim. 3: 10 - 4: 8.
A | 3: 10-12. Paul's doctrine and ministry. The beginning (Acts 13:, 14:).
B | 3: 13-17. Scripture for doctrine.
C | 4: 1. The Judgment at the appearing.
B | 4: 2. Preach the Word . . . with doctrine.
A | 4: 3-7. Paul's doctrine and ministry. The end "I have finished".
C | 4: 8. The Judgment at the appearing.
It will be seen that the charge given in the first verse of chapter four is in view of the
judgment of verse eight, and that the exhortation to preach the Word, reproving, rebuking
and exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine, is an expansion of the passage that
teaches the inspiration and profitableness of the Scriptures, for doctrine, reproof,
correction and instruction.
"Preach the Word" The word "preach" here is kerusso "to proclaim as a herald", the
last occurrence of the word in the New Testament being that of Rev. 5: 2:
"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the
book, and to loose the seals thereof."
Here the simple idea of the word kerusso as a proclamation, without entreaty,
pleading, reasoning or teaching is evident. The word kerusso is of frequent occurrence in
the 70: It is used for the announcement of a royal proclamation, as in Gen. 41: 43,
where Joseph was publicly hailed as deliverer and ruler over Egypt, and in
II Chron. 36: 22 where Cyrus King of Persia "made a proclamation". So also the
"proclamation" made by Moses concerning the tabernacle (Exod. 36: 6), and by Aaron
concerning the feast of the golden calf (Exod. 32: 5). The prophets use the word in
announcing the Day of the Lord, and the day of judgment (Joel 2: 1; 3: 9; Jonah 1: 2;
3: 2).
Kerusso differs from euaggelizo, in that it gives no idea of its message, whereas
euaggelizo is intimately associated with the euaggelion "the evangel" or "good tidings"
that it brings. Out of the 56 occurrences of euaggelizo "to preach" that are found in the
N.T., 30 include the word "gospel" or "glad tidings" in the Authorized Version. No such
extension is found with kerusso, for wherever the addition "gospel of kingdom",
"baptism of repentance", &100: are found, these are not resident in kerusso but are actually
added in the original.
Kerusso is translated five times "publish" and twice "proclaim" in the A.V., and in
one reference the context plainly alludes to the office of the herald and the Greek sports
(I Cor. 9: 27).
Timothy, in this same fourth chapter is exhorted "to do the work of an evangelist", and
so the proclamation of the Word included the preaching of the gospel. This charge to
Timothy, to herald or proclaim the word in an atmosphere of hostility and opposition,