In order to carry out these commands, a pastor must be free from the fear of man. He must be willing to be unmoved by either the frowns or smiles of men. He must be willing to endure the hardship that may result from his faithful rebuke. Knowing this, Paul commands Timothy to be willing to suffer hardship and persecution in the ministry. In 2 Timothy 1:8, he says, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.” In 2 Timothy 2:3, he says, “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” And in 2 Timothy 4:5b, he says to Timothy, “But you…endure hardship…” Only by arming himself with the willingness to suffer hardship will a pastor be able to do the hard work of rebuking, reproving, exhorting, and urging the flock on a personal basis.

Paul himself is a wonderful example of the attitude needed to carry out these commands. In Galatians 1:10, he says, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” It is impossible to be both a bond-servant of Christ and a man-pleaser. In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6, Paul reminds the people of his motives in ministering to them.

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.

Paul had a fruitful ministry among the Thessalonians because he “had the boldness in our God to speak the gospel of God amid much opposition.” He did not “seek glory from men.” This was the key to God’s blessing in his ministry. Paul would have been well acquainted with God’s words to the prophet Ezekiel, “And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious” (Ezekiel 2:6-7).

Once again, the great pastors of the past knew the connection between being willing to suffer hardship and being able to reprove, rebuke, and exhort. C.H. Spurgeon said,

If you conscientiously believe that you are right in what you are doing, study very little who is pleased or who is displeased. If you are persuaded in your own soul that what you believe and what you do are acceptable to God, whether they are acceptable to man or not is of very small consequence. You are not man’s servant; you do not look to man for your reward; and, therefore, you need not care what man’s opinion may be in this matter. Be just and fear not. Tread in the footsteps of Christ, follow what may. Live not on the breath of men. Let not their applause make you feel great, for perhaps then their censure will make you faint. Let no man in this respect domineer over you, but let Christ be your Master, and look to his smile.

The only pastor who will be faithful in the duties of reproving, rebuking, and exhorting is the pastor who is willing to suffer hardship.