ACC ~ 2 Timothy 4 v2a

ADMONITION AND CONSOLATION BELONG TOGETHER. CHRYSOSTOM: Whether you are in danger, in prison, in chains or going to your death, at that very time do not hesitate to admonish. Do not withhold your admonition. For it is then most seasonable, when your rebuke will be most successful, when the circumstance is at hand. “Exhort,” he says. After the manner of physicians, having shown the wound, he makes the incision, he applies the remedy. If you omit either of these, the other becomes useless. If you rebuke without convicting, you will seem to be rash, and no one will tolerate it. After the matter is proved, one will submit to rebuke. But before this, he will be headstrong. If you convict and rebuke, but vehemently, but do not apply exhortation, all your labor will be lost. For conviction is intolerable in itself if consolation is not mingled with it. HOMILIES ON 2 TIMOTHY 9.

DISTINGUISHING REPROOF, REBUKE AND EXHORTATION. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: “Reprove” applies to those who persist in their sin, that they might be led to understand it as sin. “Rebuke” is aimed at those actually engaging in sin. “Exhort” is directed to those who might be led back to their former state after penitence. COMMENTARY ON 2 TIMOTHY.

BITTER GALL OR SWEET WINE. AMBROSE: Accordingly, the apostle says, “What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of meekness?” He mentioned a rod first, striking those who were astray as with an almond rod, that he might afterwards comfort them with the spirit of meekness. So the man whom the rod deprived of the heavenly sacraments was restored by meekness. He gave similar instructions to his disciple also, saying, “Reprove, exhort, rebuke,” two stern words and one gentle, but stern only that he might soften them. To bodies sick with excess of gall, bitter food and drink taste sweet and, on the other hand, sweet dishes taste bitter. Similarly when the mind is wounded, it sickens under the attentions of an unctuous flattery and is again tempered by the bitterness of correction. LETTERS 41.4.

A JUDICIOUS TIMING. BENEDICT OF NURSIA: In his teaching the abbot is ever to observe this rule of the apostle: “Reprove, beseech, correct.” This consists in a judicious timing: to mix gentleness with sternness—at one time to show the severity of a master, at another the tenderness of a father. Use rigor with the irregular and the turbulent, but win to better things the obedient, mild and patient. RULE OF ST. BENEDICT 2.23-25.

2 Tim