Sunday Prepper Bible Study-Long Suffering
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering . . .
2 Timothy 4:2b
It’s rare that you’ll see me getting into the Greek or Hebrew definitions of words found in the Sunday Prepper Bible Studies, but I reserved the right to do so when I feel like it has something to add or it brings clarity and understanding to the study. We can never have too much clarity and understanding. So here’s a few of the Greek terms from today’s verse and their definitions.
Reprove- elénchō- to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation
Rebuke-epitimaō- to admonish or charge sharply
Long Suffering-makrothymia-patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs
The reason I’ve provided the definitions today is that I want you to really think about the words in this verse. Notice the contrast in the definitions.
Paul is telling Timothy to reprove and rebuke people. Those are inherently harsh actions.
But then, he tells him to use all long suffering when doing so. This idea of patience, forbearance, and slowness in avenging wrongs seems incompatible with showing someone their fault and calling them to account. But it’s not.
What many of us want to do is to hand out a scathing rebuke that really lets people know what a terrible thing they’ve done. Or, we want to just let it go and say nothing. Neither one of those line up with Paul’s instruction in this passage. We are to explain the wrong, but we are to do it with patience. We have to speak the truth in love and gentleness. Yes, sometimes that doesn’t work. Some people don’t hear gentleness and patience. But take the high road and try to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering as you go about your business this week.
Jesus said, “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul?” Prepper translation: “What good will it do you to survive the coming economic collapse, nuclear war, or even a zombie apocalypse if you don’t know you will go to heaven when you die.” A recent study found that 10 out of 10 people die! On that day we will meet our Maker. It only makes sense to be prepared for that day. Click here to learn more about knowing GOD.
Have a blessed day and happy prepping!
Mark
