An Encouragement to Pastors: When the Gospel is out of Season

Paul warned the Ephesian elders about the emergence of false teachers (formerly church leaders) who would draw people away from the faith and to them. This is found in Acts 20:29-32:

“I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears” (Acts 20:29–32).

Time transpired and what Paul had warned the church leaders about began to take place. He called upon Timothy to “wage the good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18) in Ephesus, he called upon Timothy to “preach the word; [to] be ready in season and out of season; [to] reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tim. 2:24). Yet Timothy was informed that despite all his efforts false teachers would prevail with many; “the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1). Timothy was told that a time would come “when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth” (2 Tim. 4:3).

This should serve as an encouragement to pastors everywhere who despite all their efforts in transmitting “the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness” (1 Tim. 6:3) many of their hearers “turn away from listening to the truth.” There are times when the gospel is “in season” and at times when it is “out of season.” Nevertheless, our eyes should be on proving faithful with the task at-hand. Therefore, let us “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). Let us “devote [ourselves] to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (v. 14) not neglecting the gift we have. Let us “practice these things, immerse [ourselves] in them, so that all may see [our] progress. Keep a close watch on [ourselves] and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing [we] will save both [ourselves] and [our] hearers.”