171. akairós
Lexical Summary
akairós: Inopportunely, untimely, out of season

Original Word: ἀκαίρως
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: akairós
Pronunciation: ah-kah-ee-ROS
Phonetic Spelling: (ak-ah'-ee-roce)
KJV: out of season
NASB: season
Word Origin: [adverb from a compound of G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and G2540 (καιρός - time)]

1. unseasonably
2. untimely

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
out of season, untimely.

Adverb from the same as akaireomai; inopportunely -- out of season.

see GREEK akaireomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as akaireomai
Definition
out of season
NASB Translation
season (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 171: ἀκαίρως

ἀκαίρως (καιρός), adverb, unseasonably, (A. V. out of season) (opposed to εὐκαίρως): 2 Timothy 4:2 (whether seasonable for men or not). (Sir. 35:4; (Aeschylus Ag. 808); Plato, de rep. x., p. 606 b.; Tim. 33 a.; 86 c.; Xenophon, Ephesians 5, 7; Josephus, Antiquities 6, 7, 2, others.)

Topical Lexicon
Context in the Pastoral Epistles

In Paul’s final letter, he charges Timothy: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). The adverb translated “out of season” accentuates an unwavering readiness that is not limited to favorable circumstances. Paul writes as a prisoner expecting martyrdom (4:6-8), so the exhortation carries the weight of a dying apostle’s last will. Within the immediate context (4:1-5) Timothy is to persevere amid false teaching, moral drift, and indifference. Readiness, therefore, is both urgent and costly.

Old Testament Background and Continuity

Although the adverb itself is unique to the New Testament, the underlying call echoes prophetic mandates such as Ezekiel 3:17-19 and Jeremiah 1:7-8 where God’s messengers must speak regardless of audience response. Proverbs 24:11-12 similarly calls for intervention even when inconvenient. Paul’s instruction thus aligns with the unbroken biblical theme that divine truth is never hostage to cultural calendars or human receptivity.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Sovereignty and Human Obedience: The charge presupposes God’s prerogative to speak at all times, obligating the herald to obey rather than negotiate timing.
2. Eschatological Urgency: The clause is framed by the appearing and kingdom of Christ (4:1), pointing to final accountability. Preaching “out of season” anticipates the Judge who will appear “in season.”
3. Perseverance of the Gospel: Unseasonable proclamation preserves doctrinal purity when “people will not tolerate sound doctrine” (4:3). The adverb therefore guards the church against drifting with cultural tides.

Practical Ministry Application

• Sustained Readiness: Per Paul’s triad—“reprove, rebuke, encourage”—ministers must engage hearts, minds, and wills whether welcomed or resisted.
• Pastoral Patience: “With every form of patient instruction” tempers urgency with gentleness, balancing truth and love.
• Missional Flexibility: Opportunities arise in homes, prisons, markets, or digital spaces; none are to be deemed inappropriate seasons for the gospel.
• Personal Discipline: Spiritual alertness, study, and prayer furnish the preacher with resources to speak instantly. Without such habits, readiness collapses.

Historical Witness of the Church

• Early Church: The Didache urges teaching “morning and evening,” reflecting an early recognition of season-transcending ministry.
• Reformation: Martin Luther’s resistance to imperial and ecclesiastical pressure exemplified preaching that flouted “seasons” determined by powers hostile to truth.
• Modern Missions: William Carey’s insistence that “all Christians have a duty to bear witness, whether convenient or not,” shows the enduring impact of Paul’s injunction on global evangelization.

Related Biblical Themes

Readiness – 1 Peter 3:15; Ephesians 6:15

Steadfastness – 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9

Prophetic Boldness – Acts 4:19-20; Acts 5:29

Watchfulness – Matthew 24:42-46; Mark 13:33

Illustrative Examples

• Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40): A Spirit-prompted desert encounter demonstrates ministry “out of season” to a single soul.
• Paul in Prison (Philippians 1:12-14): Chains become a pulpit, proving that adverse seasons can advance the gospel.
• Jesus at the Well (John 4): A midday conversation in Samaria, socially and culturally awkward, yields an evangelistic harvest.

Pastoral Encouragement

Ministers today face apathy, hostility, and competing narratives. The single occurrence of this adverb in Scripture serves as a clarion call: the preacher’s calendar is governed by divine appointment, not societal convenience. Whether the world deems the message timely or not, proclaimers of the word must stand ready, assured that “the word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9).

Forms and Transliterations
ακαιρως ακαίρως ἀκαίρως ακακία ακακίαν ακακίας akairos akairōs akaíros akaírōs
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Timothy 4:2 Adv
GRK: ἐπίστηθι εὐκαίρως ἀκαίρως ἔλεγξον ἐπιτίμησον
NAS: in season [and] out of season; reprove,
KJV: in season, out of season; reprove,
INT: be ready in season out of season correct rebuke

Strong's Greek 171
1 Occurrence


ἀκαίρως — 1 Occ.

170
Top of Page
Top of Page