Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2)

Paul's "charge" to young Timothy, just before the great apostle's martyrdom, was urgently needed by Christians in those early days of persecution and incipient apostasy, and his words are even more appropriate today.

The admonition to "be instant" is worth special note. The Greek word ephistemi is translated in various ways . The main idea is simply to be there, doing what needs to be done at the time it is needed. In this particular context it is stressing the Christian's responsibility to be there with the right words from  God words of exhortation, of doctrine, of reproof if needed, yet words given patiently, even when rebuffed by the hearer. "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man".

The apostle could rightly issue such a charge because he had set such an example. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience"