Paul knew that there was before the church a time of great peril. He knew that faithful, earnest work would 503 have to be done by those left in charge of the churches; and he wrote to Timothy, "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine."

Paulus vidste, at der forestod menigheden en meget farefuld tid. Han vidste, at der måtte udrettes et trofast og alvorligt arbejde af dem, der havde ansvaret for menighederne; og han skrev til Timoteus: "Prædik ordet, træd frem, hvad enten det er belejligt eller ubelejligt, overbevis, tugt, forman med al langmodighed og belæring."