At the end of Paul’s life, he was so encouraged to know that men such as Timothy were faithfully ministering the word of God to the members of the Church which is the Body of Christ. In his second letter to Timothy he wrote:

2 Tim 4:1-8
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (NKJ)

Above all things, Paul encouraged Timothy to preach the word. The reasons for this charge are evident.

The word of God is the source of our faith.
Rom 10:17
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJ)

The word of God sanctifies and cleanses us.
Eph 5:25-26
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, (NKJ)

The word of God is a sword which will eventually defeat the devil.
Eph 6:17
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (NKJ)

The word of God works as a living instrument within our hearts to reveal that which is good and that which is evil.

Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJ)

God had committed the dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ to Paul, and Paul wanted Timothy to pass it on.

2 Tim 2:2
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (NKJ)

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