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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second Timothy II].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D T I M O T H Y.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. II.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter our apostle gives Timothy many exhortations and
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directions, which may be of great use to other, both ministers and
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Christians, for whom they were designed as well as for him.
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I. He encourages him in his work, showing him whence he must fetch help,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:1">ver. 1</A>.
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II. He must take care of a succession in the ministry, that the office
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might not die with him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:2">ver. 2</A>.
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III. He exhorts him to constancy and perseverance in this work, as a
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soldier and as a husbandman, considering what would be the end of all
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his sufferings, &c.,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:3-15">ver. 3-15</A>.
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IV. He must shun profane and vain babblings
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:16-18">ver. 16-18</A>),
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for they will be pernicious and mischievous.
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V. He speaks of the foundation of God, which standeth sure,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:19-21">ver. 19-21</A>.
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VI. What he is to avoid--youthful lusts, and foolish and unlearned
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questions; and what to do,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:22-26">ver. 22, to the end</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Ministerial Fortitude.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 66.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in
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Christ Jesus.
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2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
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witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be
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able to teach others also.
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3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus
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Christ.
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4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of
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<I>this</I> life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a
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soldier.
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5 And if a man also strive for masteries, <I>yet</I> is he not
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crowned, except he strive lawfully.
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6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the
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fruits.
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7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in
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all things.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here Paul encourages Timothy to constancy and perseverance in his work:
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<I>Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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Observe, Those who have work to do for God must stir up themselves to
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do it, and strengthen themselves for it. Being strong in the grace that
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is in Christ Jesus may be understood in opposition to the weakness of
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grace. Where there is the truth of grace there must be a labouring
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after the strength of grace. As our trials increase, we have need to
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grow stronger and stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger,
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our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. Or it may
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be understood in opposition to our being strong in our own strength:
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"Be strong, not confiding in thy own sufficiency, but in the grace that
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is in Jesus Christ." Compare
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+6:10">Eph. vi. 10</A>,
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<I>Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.</I> When Peter
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promised rather to die for Christ than to deny him he was strong in his
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own strength; had he been strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
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he would have kept his standing better. Observe,
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1. There is grace in Christ Jesus; for the law was given by Moses, but
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grace and truth came by Jesus Christ,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:17">John i. 17</A>.
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There is grace enough in him for all of us.
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2. We must be strong in this grace; not in ourselves, in our own
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strength, or in the grace we have already received, but in the grace
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that is in him, and that is the way to be strong in grace.
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3. As a father exhorts his son, so does Paul exhort Timothy, with great
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tenderness and affection: <I>Thou, therefore, my son, be strong,</I>
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&c. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. Timothy must count upon sufferings, even unto blood, and therefore
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he must train up others to succeed him in the ministry of the gospel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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He must instruct others, and train them up for the ministry, and so
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commit to them the things which he had heard; and he must also ordain
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them to the ministry, lodge the gospel as a trust in their hands, and
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so commit to them the things which he had heard. Two things he must
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have an eye to in ordaining ministers:--Their fidelity or integrity
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("Commit them to <I>faithful men,</I> who will sincerely aim at the
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glory of God, the honour of Christ, the welfare of souls, and the
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advancement of the kingdom of the Redeemer among men"), and also their
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ministerial ability. They must not only be knowing themselves, but be
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able to teach others also, and be apt to teach. Here we have,
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1. The things Timothy was to commit to others--what he had heard of
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the apostle among many witnesses; he must not deliver any thing
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besides, and what Paul delivered to him and others he had received of
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the Lord Jesus Christ.
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2. He was to commit them as a trust, as a sacred deposit, which they
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were to keep, and to transmit pure and uncorrupt unto others.
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3. Those to whom he was to commit these things must be faithful, that
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is, trusty men, and who were skilful to teach others.
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4. Though men were both faithful and able to teach others, yet these
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things must be committed to them by Timothy, a minister, a man in
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office; for none must intrude themselves into the ministry, but must
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have these things committed to them by those already in that
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office.</P>
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<P>
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II. He must <I>endure hardness</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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<I>Thou therefore,</I> &c.
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1. All Christians, but especially ministers, <I>are soldiers of Jesus
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Christ;</I> they fight under his banner, in his cause, and against his
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enemies, for he is the captain of our salvation,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:10">Heb. ii. 10</A>.
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2. The soldiers of Jesus Christ must approve themselves good soldiers,
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faithful to their captain, resolute in his cause, and must not give
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over fighting till <I>they are made more than conquerors, through him
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that loved them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:37">Rom. viii. 37</A>.
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3. Those who would approve themselves good soldiers of Jesus Christ
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must endure hardness; that is, we must expect it and count upon it in
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this world, must endure and accustom ourselves to it, and bear it
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patiently when it comes, and not be moved by it from our integrity.</P>
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<P>
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III. He must not entangle himself in the affairs of this world,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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A soldier, when he has enlisted, leaves his calling, and all the
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business of it, that he may attend his captain's orders. If we have
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given up ourselves to be Christ's soldiers, we must sit loose to this
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world; and though there is no remedy, but we must employ ourselves in
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the affairs of this life while we are here (we have something to do
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here), we must not entangle ourselves with those affairs, so as by them
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to be diverted and drawn aside from our duty to God and the great
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concerns of our Christianity. Those who will war the good warfare must
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sit loose to this world. <I>That we may please him who hath chosen us
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to be soldiers.</I> Observe,
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1. The great care of a soldier should be to please his general; so the
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great care of a Christian should be to please Christ, to approve
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ourselves to him. The way to please him who hath chosen us to be
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soldiers is not to entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life,
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but to be free from such entanglements as would hinder us in our holy
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warfare.</P>
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<P>
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IV. He must see to it that in carrying on the spiritual warfare he went
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by rule, that he observed the laws of war
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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<I>If a man strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he
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strive lawfully.</I> We are striving for mastery, to get the mastery of
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our lusts and corruptions, to excel in that which is good, but we
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cannot expect the prize unless we observe the laws. In doing that which
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is good we must take care that we do it in a right manner, that our
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good may not be evil spoken of. Observe here,
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1. A Christian is to strive for masteries; he must aim at mastering his
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own lusts and corruptions.
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2. Yet he must strive according to the laws given to him; he must
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strive lawfully.
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3. Those who do so shall be crowned at last, after a complete victory
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is obtained.</P>
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<P>
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V. He must be willing to wait for a recompence
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
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<I>The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the
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fruits.</I> Or, as it should be read, <I>The husbandman labouring first
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must partake of the fruits,</I> as appears by comparing it with
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:7">Jam. v. 7</A>.
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If we would be partakers of the fruits, we must labour; if we would
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gain the prize, we must run the race. And, further, we must first
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labour as the husbandman does, with diligence and patience, before we
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are partakers of the fruit; we must do the will of God, before we
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receive the promises, for which reason we have need of patience,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:36">Heb. x. 36</A>.</P>
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<P>
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The apostle further commends what he had said to the attention of
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Timothy, and expresses his desire and hope respecting him: <I>Consider
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what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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Here,
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1. Paul exhorts Timothy to consider those thing about which he
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admonished him. Timothy must be reminded to use his considering
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faculties about the things of God. Consideration is as necessary to a
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good conversation as to a sound conversion.
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2. He prays for him: <I>The Lord give thee understanding in all
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things.</I> Observe, It is God who gives understanding. The most
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intelligent man needs more and more of this gift. If he who gave the
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revelation in the word does not give the understanding in the heart, we
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are nothing. Together with our prayers for others, that the Lord would
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give them understanding in all things, we must exhort and stir them up
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to consider what we say, for consideration is the way to understand,
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remember, and practise, what we hear or read.</P>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti2_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Ministerial Encouragements.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 66.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised
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from the dead according to my gospel:
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9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, <I>even</I> unto bonds;
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but the word of God is not bound.
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10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that
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they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with
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eternal glory.
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11 <I>It is</I> a faithful saying: For if we be dead with <I>him,</I> we
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shall also live with <I>him:</I>
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12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with <I>him:</I> if we deny
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<I>him,</I> he also will deny us:
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13 If we believe not, <I>yet</I> he abideth faithful: he cannot deny
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himself.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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I. To encourage Timothy in suffering, the apostle puts him in mind of
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the resurrection of Christ
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
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<I>Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from
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the dead, according to my gospel.</I> This is the great proof of his
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divine mission, and therefore a great confirmation of the truth of the
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Christian religion; and the consideration of it should make us faithful
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to our Christian profession, and should particularly encourage us in
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suffering for it. Let suffering saints remember this. Observe,
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1. We are to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who,
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for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despised the
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shame, and has now sat down at the right hand of the throne of God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:2">Heb. xii. 2</A>.
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2. The incarnation and resurrection of Jesus Christ, heartily believed
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and rightly considered, will support a Christian under all sufferings
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in the present life.</P>
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<P>
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II. Another thing to encourage him in suffering was that he had Paul
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for an example. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. How the apostle suffered
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
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<I>Wherein I suffer as an evil-doer;</I> and let not Timothy the son
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expect any better treatment than Paul the father. Paul was a man who
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did good, and yet suffered as an evil-doer: we must not think it
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strange if those who do well fare ill in this world, and if the best of
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men meet with the worst of treatment; but this was his comfort <I>that
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the word of God was not bound.</I> Persecuting powers may silence
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ministers and restrain them, but they cannot hinder the operation of
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the word of God upon men's hearts and consciences; that cannot be bound
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by any human force. This might encourage Timothy not to be afraid of
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bonds for the testimony of Jesus; for the word of Christ, which ought
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to be dearer to him than liberty, or life itself, should in the issue
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suffer nothing by those bonds. Here we see,
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(1.) The good apostle's treatment in the world: <I>I suffer
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trouble;</I> to this he was called and appointed.
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(2.) The pretence and colour under which he suffered: <I>I suffer as an
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evil-doer;</I> so the Jews said to Pilate concerning Christ, <I>If he
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were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+18:30">John xviii. 30</A>.
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(3.) The real and true cause of his suffering trouble as an evil-doer:
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<I>Wherein;</I> that is, in or for the sake of the gospel. The apostle
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suffered trouble unto bonds, and afterwards he resisted unto blood,
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striving against sin,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:4">Heb. xii. 4</A>.
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Though the preachers of the word are often bound, yet the word is never
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bound.</P>
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<P>
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2. Why he suffered cheerfully: <I>I endure all things for the elects'
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sake,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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Observe,
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(1.) Good ministers may and should encourage themselves in the hardest
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services and the hardest sufferings, with this, that God will certainly
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bring good to his church, and benefit to his elect, out of
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them.--<I>That they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ
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Jesus.</I> Next to the salvation of our own souls we should be willing
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to do and suffer any thing to promote the salvation of the souls of
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others.
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(2.) The elect are designed to obtain salvation: <I>God hath not
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appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:9">1 Thess. v. 9</A>.
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(3.) This salvation is in Christ Jesus, in him as the fountain, the
|
|
purchaser, and the giver of it; and it is accompanied with eternal
|
|
glory: there is no salvation in Christ Jesus without it.
|
|
|
|
(4.) The sufferings of our apostle were for the elects' sake, for their
|
|
confirmation and encouragement.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Another thing with which he encourages Timothy is the prospect of
|
|
a future state.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Those who faithfully adhere to Christ and to his truths and ways,
|
|
whatever it cost them, will certainly have the advantage of it in
|
|
another world: <I>If we be dead with him, we shall live with him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>If we be dead with him, we shall live with him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
If, in conformity to Christ, we be dead to this world, its pleasures,
|
|
profits, and honours, we shall go to live with him in a better world,
|
|
to be for ever with him. Nay, though we be called out to suffer for
|
|
him, we shall not lose by that. <I>Those who suffer for Christ</I> on
|
|
earth shall reign with Christ in heaven,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those who suffered with David in his humiliation were preferred with
|
|
him in his exaltation: so it will be with those who suffer with the Son
|
|
of David.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. It is at our peril if we prove unfaithful to him: <I>If we deny him,
|
|
he also will deny us.</I> If we deny him before man, he will deny us
|
|
before his Father,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:33">Matt. x. 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
And that man must needs be for ever miserable whom Christ disowns at
|
|
last. This will certainly be the issue, whether we believe it or no
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful; he cannot deny
|
|
himself.</I> He is faithful to his threatenings, faithful to his
|
|
promises; neither one nor the other shall fall to the ground, no, not
|
|
the least, jot nor tittle of them. If we be faithful to Christ, he will
|
|
certainly be faithful to us. If we be false to him, he will be faithful
|
|
to his threatenings: <I>he cannot deny himself,</I> cannot recede from
|
|
any word that he hath spoken, for he is yea, and amen, the faithful
|
|
witness. Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Our being dead with Christ precedes our living with him, and is
|
|
connected with it: the one is in order to the other; so our suffering
|
|
for him is the way to reign with him. <I>You that have followed me in
|
|
the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his
|
|
glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve
|
|
tribes of Israel</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+19:28">Matt. xix. 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) This is a faithful saying, and may be depended on and ought to be
|
|
believed. But,
|
|
|
|
(3.) If we deny him, out of fear, or shame, or for the sake of some
|
|
temporal advantage, he will deny and disown us, and will not deny
|
|
himself, but will continue faithful to his word when he threatens as
|
|
well as when he promises.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_18"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Cautions against Error.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 66.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 Of these things put <I>them</I> in remembrance, charging <I>them</I>
|
|
before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit,
|
|
<I>but</I> to the subverting of the hearers.
|
|
15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that
|
|
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
|
|
16 But shun profane <I>and</I> vain babblings: for they will
|
|
increase unto more ungodliness.
|
|
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is
|
|
Hymenæus and Philetus;
|
|
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the
|
|
resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Having thus encouraged Timothy to suffer, he comes in the next place to
|
|
direct him in his work.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He must make it his business to edify those who were under his
|
|
charge, <I>to put them in remembrance</I> of those things which they
|
|
did already know; for this is the work of ministers; not to tell people
|
|
that which they never knew before, but to put them in mind of that
|
|
which they do know, <I>charging them that they strive not about
|
|
words.</I> Observe, Those that are disposed to strive commonly strive
|
|
about matters of very small moment. Strifes of words are very
|
|
destructive to the things of God. That they strive not about words
|
|
<I>to no profit.</I> If people did but consider of what little use most
|
|
of the controversies in religion are, they would not be so zealous in
|
|
their strifes of words, <I>to the subverting of the hearers,</I> to the
|
|
drawing of them away from the great things of God, and occasioning
|
|
unchristian heats and animosities, by which truth is often in danger of
|
|
being lost. Observe, People are very prone to strive about words, and
|
|
such strifes never answer any other ends than to shake some and subvert
|
|
others; they are not only useless, but they are very hurtful, and
|
|
therefore ministers are to charge the people that they do not strive
|
|
about words, and they are most likely to be regarded when they charge
|
|
them before the Lord, that is, in his name and from his word; when they
|
|
produce their warrant for what they say.--<I>Study to show thyself
|
|
approved unto God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe, The care of ministers must be to approve themselves unto God,
|
|
to be accepted of him, and to show that they are so approved unto God.
|
|
In order thereunto, there must be constant care and industry: <I>Study
|
|
to show thyself</I> such a one, <I>a workman that needs not be
|
|
ashamed.</I> Ministers must be workmen; they have work to do, and they
|
|
must take pains in it. Workmen that are unskilful, or unfaithful, or
|
|
lazy, have need to be ashamed; but those who mind their business, and
|
|
keep to their work, are workmen that need not be ashamed. And what is
|
|
their work? It is <I>rightly to divide the word of truth.</I> Not to
|
|
invent a new gospel, but rightly to divide the gospel that is committed
|
|
to their trust. To speak terror to those to whom terror belongs,
|
|
comfort to whom comfort; to give every one <I>his portion in due
|
|
season,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:45">Matt. xxiv. 45</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe here,
|
|
|
|
1. The word which ministers preach is the word of truth, for the author
|
|
of it is the God of truth.
|
|
|
|
2. It requires great wisdom, study, and care, to divide this word of
|
|
truth rightly; Timothy must study in order to do this well.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He must take heed of that which would be a hindrance to him in his
|
|
work,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
He must take heed of error: <I>Shun profane and vain babblings.</I> The
|
|
heretics, who boasted of their notions and their arguments, thought
|
|
their performances such as might recommend them; but the apostle calls
|
|
them <I>profane and vain babblings:</I> when once men become fond of
|
|
those <I>they will increase unto more ungodliness.</I> The way of error
|
|
is down-hill; one absurdity being granted or contended for, a thousand
|
|
follow: <I>Their word will eat as doth a canker, or gangrene;</I> when
|
|
errors or heresies come into the church, the infecting of one often
|
|
proves the infecting of many, or the infecting of the same person with
|
|
one error often proves the infecting of him with many errors. Upon this
|
|
occasion the apostle mentions some who had lately advanced erroneous
|
|
doctrines: <I>Hymeneus and Philetus.</I> He names these corrupt
|
|
teachers, by which he sets a brand upon them, to their perpetual
|
|
infamy, and warns all people against hearkening to them. They have
|
|
<I>erred concerning the truth,</I> or concerning one of the fundamental
|
|
articles of the Christian religion, which is truth. The resurrection of
|
|
the dead is one of the great doctrines of Christ. Now see the subtlety
|
|
of the serpent and the serpent's seed. They did not deny the
|
|
resurrection (for that had been boldly and avowedly to confront the
|
|
word of Christ), but they put a corrupt interpretation upon that true
|
|
doctrine, saying that the resurrection was past already, that what
|
|
Christ spoke concerning the resurrection was <I>to be understood
|
|
mystically</I> and by way of allegory, that it must be meant of a
|
|
spiritual resurrection only. It is true, there is a spiritual
|
|
resurrection, but to infer thence that there will not be a true and
|
|
real resurrection of the body at the last day is to dash one truth of
|
|
Christ in pieces against another. By this they <I>overthrew the faith
|
|
of some,</I> took them off from the belief of the resurrection of the
|
|
dead; and if there be no resurrection of the dead, nor future state, no
|
|
recompence of our services and sufferings in another world, we are of
|
|
men the most miserable,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:19">1 Cor. xv. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Whatever takes away the doctrine of a future state overthrows the faith
|
|
of Christians. The apostle had largely disproved this error
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:1-58">1 Cor. xv.</A>),
|
|
|
|
and therefore does not here enter into the arguments against it.
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. The babblings Timothy was to shun were profane and vain; they were
|
|
empty shadows, and led to profaneness: <I>For they will increase unto
|
|
more ungodliness.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Error is very productive, and on that account the more dangerous:
|
|
it <I>will eat like a gangrene.</I>
|
|
|
|
3. When men err concerning the truth, they always endeavour to have
|
|
some plausible pretence for it. Hymeneus and Philetus did not deny a
|
|
resurrection, but pretended it was already past.
|
|
|
|
4. Error, especially that which affects the foundation, will overthrow
|
|
the faith of some.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Cautions against Error.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 66.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having
|
|
this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one
|
|
that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
|
|
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and
|
|
of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and
|
|
some to dishonour.
|
|
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a
|
|
vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use,
|
|
<I>and</I> prepared unto every good work.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here we see what we may comfort ourselves with, in reference to this,
|
|
and the little errors and heresies that both infect and infest the
|
|
church, and do mischief.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. It may be a great comfort to us that the unbelief of men cannot make
|
|
the promise of God of no effect. Though the faith of some particular
|
|
persons be overthrown, yet <I>the foundation of God standeth sure</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
it is not possible that they should deceive the elect. Or it may be
|
|
meant of the truth itself, which they impugn. All the attacks which the
|
|
powers of darkness have made upon the doctrine of Christ cannot shake
|
|
it; it stands firm, and weathers all the storms which have been raised
|
|
against it. The prophets and apostles, that is, the doctrines of the
|
|
Old and New Testament, are still firm; and they have a seal with two
|
|
mottoes upon it, one on the one side, and the other on the other, as is
|
|
usual in a broad seal.
|
|
|
|
1. One expresses our comfort--that <I>the Lord knows those that are
|
|
his,</I> and those that are not; knows them, that is, he owns them, so
|
|
knows them that he will never lose them. Though the faith of some be
|
|
overthrown, yet the Lord is said to know the ways of the righteous,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+1:6">Ps. i. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
None can overthrow the faith of any whom God hath chosen.
|
|
|
|
2. Another declares our duty--that every one who names the name of
|
|
Christ must depart from iniquity. Those who would have the comfort of
|
|
the privilege must make conscience of the duty. If the name of Christ
|
|
be called upon us, we must depart from iniquity, else he will not own
|
|
us; he will say in the great day
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:23">Matt. vii. 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Depart from me, I never knew you, you workers of iniquity.</I>
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Whatever errors are introduced into the church, the foundation of
|
|
God standeth sure, his purpose can never be defeated.
|
|
|
|
(2.) God hath some in the church who are his and whom he knows to be
|
|
his.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Professing Christians name the name of Christ, are called by his
|
|
name, and therefore are bound to depart from iniquity; for Christ
|
|
<I>gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+2:14">Tit. ii. 14</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Another thing that may comfort us is that though there are some
|
|
whose faith is overthrown, yet there are others who keep their
|
|
integrity, and hold it fast
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>In a great house there are not only vessels of gold,</I> &c. The
|
|
church of Christ is a great house, a well-furnished house: now some of
|
|
the furniture of this house is of great value, as the plate in a house;
|
|
some of small value, and put to mean uses, as the vessels of wood and
|
|
earth; so it is in the church of God. There are some professors of
|
|
religion that are like the vessels of wood and earth, they are vessels
|
|
of dishonour. But at the same time all are not vessels of dishonour;
|
|
there are <I>vessels of gold and silver,</I> vessels of honour, <I>that
|
|
are sanctified and meet for the Master's use.</I> When we are
|
|
discouraged by the badness of some, we must encourage ourselves by the
|
|
consideration of the goodness of others. Now we should see to it that
|
|
we be vessels of honour: we must <I>purge ourselves from these corrupt
|
|
opinions,</I> that we may be sanctified for our Master's use. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. In the church there are some vessels of honour and some of
|
|
dishonour; there are some vessels of mercy and other vessels of wrath,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+9:22,23">Rom. ix. 22, 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some dishonour the church by their corrupt opinions and wicked lives;
|
|
and others honour and credit it by their exemplary conversation.
|
|
|
|
2. A man must purge himself from these before he can be a vessel of
|
|
honour, or meet for his Master's use.
|
|
|
|
3. Every vessel must be fit for its Master's use; every one in the
|
|
church whom God approves must be devoted to his Master's service and
|
|
meet for his use.
|
|
|
|
4. Sanctification in the heart is our preparation for every good work.
|
|
The tree must be made good, and then the fruit will be good.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti2_26"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Cautions against Contention.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 66.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith,
|
|
charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure
|
|
heart.
|
|
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they
|
|
do gender strifes.
|
|
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle
|
|
unto all <I>men,</I> apt to teach, patient,
|
|
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God
|
|
peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of
|
|
the truth;
|
|
26 And <I>that</I> they may recover themselves out of the snare of
|
|
the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Paul here exhorts Timothy to beware of <I>youthful lusts,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though he was a holy good man, very much mortified to the world, yet
|
|
Paul thought it necessary to caution him against youthful lusts:
|
|
"<I>Flee</I> them, take all possible care and pains to keep thyself
|
|
pure from them." The lusts of the flesh are youthful lusts, which young
|
|
people must carefully watch against, and the best must not be secure.
|
|
He prescribes an excellent remedy against youthful lusts: <I>Follow
|
|
righteousness, faith, charity peace,</I> &c. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. Youthful lusts are very dangerous, for which reason even hopeful
|
|
young people should be warned of them, for they war against the soul,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+2:11">1 Pet. ii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. The exciting of our graces will be the extinguishing of our
|
|
corruptions; the more we follow that which is good the faster and the
|
|
further we shall flee from that which is evil. Righteousness, and
|
|
faith, and love, will be excellent antidotes against youthful lusts.
|
|
Holy love will cure impure lust.--<I>Follow peace with those that call
|
|
on the Lord.</I> The keeping up of the communion of saints will take us
|
|
off from all fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness. See the
|
|
character of Christians: they are such as <I>call on the Lord Jesus
|
|
Christ, out of a pure heart.</I> Observe, Christ is to be prayed to. It
|
|
is the character of all Christians that they call upon him; but our
|
|
prayers to God and Christ are not acceptable nor successful except they
|
|
come out of a pure heart.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He cautions him against contention, and, to prevent this
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
cautions him against <I>foolish and unlearned questions,</I> that tend
|
|
to no benefit, strifes of words. Those who advanced them, and doted
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upon them, thought themselves wise and learned; but Paul calls them
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|
foolish and unlearned. The mischief of these is that they <I>gender
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|
strifes,</I> that they breed debates and quarrels among Christians and
|
|
ministers. It is very remarkable how often, and with what seriousness,
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|
the apostle cautions Timothy against disputes in religion, which surely
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|
was not without some such design as this, to show that religion
|
|
consists more in believing and practising what God requires than in
|
|
subtle disputes.--<I>The servant of the Lord must not strive,</I>
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
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|
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Nothing worse becomes the servant of the Lord Jesus, who himself did
|
|
not strive nor cry
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|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+12:19">Matt. xii. 19</A>),
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|
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|
but was a pattern of meekness, and mildness, and gentleness to all,
|
|
than strife and contention. The servant of the Lord must be <I>gentle
|
|
to all men,</I> and thereby show that he is himself subject to the
|
|
commanding power of that holy religion which he is employed in
|
|
preaching and propagating.--<I>Apt to teach.</I> Those are unapt to
|
|
teach who are apt to strive, and are fierce and froward. Ministers must
|
|
be patient, bearing with evil, and <I>in meekness instructing</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>)
|
|
|
|
not only those who subject themselves, but those who oppose themselves.
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. Those who oppose themselves to the truth are to be instructed; for
|
|
instruction is the scripture-method of dealing with the erroneous,
|
|
which is more likely to convince them of their errors than fire and
|
|
faggot: he does not bid us kill their bodies, under pretence of saving
|
|
their souls.
|
|
|
|
2. Such as oppose themselves are to be instructed in meekness, for our
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|
Lord is meek and lowly
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+11:29">Matt. xi. 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
and this agrees well with the character of the servant of the Lord
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>He must not strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach,
|
|
patient.</I> This is the way to convey truth in its light and power,
|
|
and to overcome evil with good,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:21">Rom. xii. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. That which ministers must have in their eyes, in instructing those
|
|
who oppose themselves, must be their recovery: <I>If God, peradventure,
|
|
will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.</I>
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Repentance is God's gift.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It is a gift with a <I>peradventure</I> in the case of those who
|
|
oppose themselves; and therefore, though we are not to despair of the
|
|
grace of God, yet we must take heed of presuming upon it. <I>To the
|
|
acknowledging of the truth.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) The same God who gives us the discovery of the truth does by his
|
|
grace bring us to the acknowledging of it, otherwise our hearts would
|
|
continue in rebellion against it, for we are to confess with our mouths
|
|
as well as to believe with our hearts,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+10:9,10">Rom. x. 9, 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
And thus sinners recover themselves out of the snare of the devil; see
|
|
here,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The misery of sinners: they are in the <I>snare of the devil, and
|
|
are led captive by him at his will,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
They are slaves to the worst of task-masters; he is the spirit that now
|
|
worketh in the children of disobedience,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+2:2">Eph. ii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
They are taken in a snare, and in the worst snare, because it is the
|
|
devil's; they are as fishes that are taken in n evil net, and as the
|
|
birds that are caught in the snare. Further, They are under Ham's curse
|
|
(<I>a servant of servants shall he be,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+9:25">Gen. ix. 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
they are slaves to him who is but a slave and vassal.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The happiness of those who repent: they recover themselves out of
|
|
this snare, as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is
|
|
broken and they have escaped; and the greater the danger the greater
|
|
the deliverance. When sinners repent, those who before were led captive
|
|
by the devil at his will come to be led into the glorious liberty of
|
|
the children of God, and have their wills melted into the will of the
|
|
Lord Jesus. The good Lord recover us all out of the snare.</P>
|
|
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