The phrase “be ready in season and out of season” comes from 2 Timothy 4:2, which says “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” This verse is instructing Timothy, as a minister of the gospel, to be ready and willing to preach God’s word at all times, whether it seems convenient or not.
The Context of 2 Timothy 4:2
Paul’s second letter to Timothy contains instructions and encouragement to the young minister as he faced various challenges in ministry. In chapter 4, Paul urges Timothy to “preach the word” (v. 2) and gives him guidance on fulfilling his calling faithfully.
Timothy was facing false teachings and opposition to the truth, so Paul reminds him to keep his focus on proclaiming the gospel with patience, care, and urgency. Even when people don’t want to hear it, Timothy should be ready and willing to teach God’s word. The timeliness or receptiveness of his audience should not dictate his commitment to preach the truth.
What Does “In Season and Out of Season” Mean?
The phrases “in season and out of season” indicate that Timothy should be ready to preach at all times, regardless of the circumstances. Here are some key points about what this means:
- Be ready when it’s popular and when it’s not – Proclaim God’s word when people want to hear it and when they reject it.
- Preach in good times and bad – Don’t let favorable or difficult conditions determine your commitment to teach the truth.
- Be prepared to teach when it’s convenient and inconvenient – Don’t let schedules or disruptions hinder your availability to instruct people in God’s word.
- Persist in preaching in fair weather and storms – Keep speaking the truth through seasons of acceptance and seasons of hardship or persecution.
In other words, “in season and out of season” means being ready to preach constantly, through all human circumstances and reactions. Don’t let anything stop you from obeying Christ’s call to proclaim the gospel.
Principles for Us Today
While 2 Timothy 4:2 was written primarily to instruct Timothy, the principle of being ready to speak God’s word applies to all believers. Here are some ways we can apply in season and out of season to our lives:
Be ready to share the gospel at any time
Like Timothy, we are called to share the message of salvation through Christ with others. Are you prepared to give the reason for the hope within you (1 Peter 3:15) whether or not people want to hear it? Pray for courage and for divine openings to tell people about Jesus.
Don’t let opposition or inconvenience stop your witness
It’s easy to feel intimidated by those who are hostile to the gospel. But God can give you grace to speak faithfully, even in the face of resistance. Be ready to point people to Jesus in inconvenient situations.
Look for opportunities to encourage Christians from God’s word
An important part of Timothy’s ministry was bringing encouragement from Scripture (2 Timothy 4:2). We too can spur each other on with God’s promises and truths. Don’t let busyness crowd out times to build up other believers.
Keep teaching true doctrine through all seasons of life
Inevitably we will go through changing circumstances and challenges to our faith. During such storms, we must keep our anchor in the Word of God. Don’t stop studying Scripture together, even when life feels disruptive.
Patiently instruct those who disagree or lack understanding
Some who hear the Word respond with hostility or confusion. Are you prepared to gently teach those who are argumentative or ignorant about the faith? Ask God for compassion and clarity as you guide those who need wisdom.
Being Instant in Season and Out of Season
The King James Version translates 2 Timothy 4:2 “be instant in season, out of season.” The word instant means ready, urgent, and immediate. Paul urged Timothy to be continually ready and urgent to preach the word, in good times and bad.
This sense of readiness and urgency comes across in other translations as well:
- “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (ESV).
- “Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not” (NLT).
- “Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not” (NRSV).
Timothy was to persistently and urgently proclaim the gospel, regardless of any resistance or circumstances that seem untimely. This kind of instant readiness reflects the urgency of our calling to spread the Good News.
Reasons to Be Ready In and Out of Season
Why did Paul find it so necessary to instruct Timothy to preach the word at all times? Here are some key reasons:
The gospel is essential in all seasons of life
People need to hear the message of salvation in Christ during all kinds of circumstances, not just when it seems convenient. In hardship or joy, sickness or health, all seasons of life present opportunities to apply God’s powerful Word.
Teaching the gospel requires persistence
Just as a farmer plows, plants, and waters patiently for a harvest, preaching the Word requires steady persistence. Fickle audience sizes and reactions should not hamper proclaiming the truth.
The danger of false teaching was constant
Paul often warned Timothy about false teachers spreading division and unhealthy doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:3). Remaining vigilant in teaching truth was critical in the face of constant threats from counterfeit gospels.
Time is fleeting
Paul’s sense of urgency was fueled by the understanding that opportunities to preach were passing quickly (2 Timothy 4:6). The day of Christ’s return was drawing near. There was no time for complacency.
God’s word accomplishes His purposes
Isaiah 55:11 says God’s word does not return empty but accomplishes His purposes. Paul wanted Timothy to have full confidence that preaching the gospel in and out of season fulfills divine plans.
Examples of In and Out of Season
It can be helpful to envision examples of preaching or teaching God’s word “in season and out of season.” Here are some hypothetical scenarios:
In Season
- Preaching an evangelistic sermon when community interest is high due to recent tragedies or cultural events
- Teaching eager new believers who are excited about growing in the faith
- Encouraging church members who are receptive and responsive to biblical counsel
Out of Season
- Proclaiming the gospel in the midst of opposition or persecution
- Calling a church to repentance when they are comfortable and complacent
- Teaching biblical truth to scoffers who ridicule Christianity
While human reactions may vary, Scripture declares God’s faithfulness in all seasons: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Be Ready to Love
An important part of being ready in season and out of season is demonstrating Christlike compassion, kindness, and patience toward others. Paul says ministers should correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience (2 Timothy 4:2).
Our readiness to teach truth must be matched by our readiness to love. Even when people reject truth, we must remember that God is patient toward us, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
So be prepared to love both believers and unbelievers in every opportunity to share God’s Word. As Jude 1:22-23 puts it: “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire.”
Trusting God with the Results
Ultimately, the results of sharing God’s Word are in His hands. Our responsibility is simply to faithfully proclaim the gospel whenever we can, whether or not we see tangible fruit.
Isaiah 55:10-11 assures us that God’s Word accomplishes the purposes for which He sent it. His promise to Timothy was that the Lord would “give you understanding in everything” (2 Timothy 2:7). As we preach the Word in and out of season, we can trust God to use it powerfully.
Paul points Timothy to the power of Scripture when he writes, “from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). When we teach others using God’s Word, we can trust that His words will work in people’s hearts.
Being Ready to Preach at All Times Takes Commitment
Being ready in season and out of season requires making a firm commitment to prioritize preaching and teaching God’s Word. It’s easy to make excuses that now is not the right time. But Christ calls us to steadfast devotion to sharing the gospel.
Here are some practical ways Timothy could stay ready to preach:
- Regularly spending time in God’s presence through prayer and Bible study
- Pouring into mentoring relationships for encouragement and accountability
- Preparing sermons and teachings in advance
- Looking for daily opportunities to discuss spiritual truths
- Studying culture and current events to better contextualize God’s Word
Like Timothy, we need to cultivate spiritual disciplines that will ground us firmly in Christ and in Scripture. Staying ready to boldly yet lovingly proclaim the gospel is not easy in our fast-paced world. But with God’s help, we can commit to be ready when He presents opportunities to share our faith.
Conclusion
Paul’s charge to Timothy to preach the word in season and out of season is a call for faithfulness, persistence, and readiness in ministry. All believers need to be ready and willing to proclaim God’s truth at all times. This requires making sharing the gospel a priority over comfort or convenience. Relying on the power of the Scriptures, we can teach salvation in Christ with urgency, compassion, and patience. While reception of the message may vary, God remains faithful to His promises. As we are ready in and out of season, we can trust Him to use His Word mightily in people’s lives.