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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second Timothy III].</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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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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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. III.</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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I. The apostle forewarns Timothy what the last days would be, with the
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reasons thereof,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:1-9">ver. 1-9</A>.
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II. Prescribes various remedies against them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:10-17">ver. 10, to the end</A>),
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particularly his own example ("But thou hast fully known my doctrine,"
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&c.) and the knowledge of the holy scriptures, which are able to make
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us wise unto salvation, and will be the best antidote against the
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corruptions of the times we live in. In this chapter Paul tells Timothy
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how bad others would be, and therefore how good he should be; and this
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use we should make of the badness of others, thereby to engage us to
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hold our own integrity so much the firmer.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_9"> </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>Marks of Perilous Times.</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 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
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come.
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2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,
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boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
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unholy,
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3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
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incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
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4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than
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lovers of God;
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5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
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from such turn away.
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6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead
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captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
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7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the
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truth.
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8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also
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resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the
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faith.
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9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be
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manifest unto all <I>men,</I> as theirs also was.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Timothy must not think it strange if there were in the church bad men;
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for the net of the gospel was to enclose both good fish and bad,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+22:47,48">Matt. xxii. 47, 48</A>.
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Jesus Christ had foretold
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:1-51">Matt. xxiv.</A>)
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that there would come seducers, and therefore we must not be offended
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at it, nor think the worse of religion or the church for it. Even in
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gold ore there will be dross, and a great deal of chaff among the wheat
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when it lies on the floor.</P>
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<P>
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I. Timothy must know that in the <I>last days</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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in gospel times, there would <I>come perilous times.</I> Though gospel
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times were times of reformation in many respects, let him know that
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even in gospel times there would be perilous times; not so much on
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account of persecution from without as on account of corruptions
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within. These would be difficult times, wherein it would be difficult
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for a man to keep a good conscience. He does not say, "Perilous times
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shall come, for both Jews and Gentiles shall be combined to root out
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Christianity;" but "perilous times shall come, for such as have <I>the
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form of godliness</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>)
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shall be corrupt and wicked, and do a great deal of damage to the
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church." Two traitors within the garrison may do more hurt to it than
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two thousand besiegers without. Perilous times shall come, for men
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shall be wicked. Note,
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1. Sin makes the times perilous. When there is a general corruption of
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manners, and of the tempers of men, this makes the times dangerous to
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live in; for it is hard to keep our integrity in the midst of general
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corruption.
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2. The coming of perilous times is an evidence of the truth of
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scripture-predictions; if the event in this respect did not answer to
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the prophecy, we might be tempted to question the divinity of the
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Bible.
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3. We are all concerned to know this, to believe and consider it, that
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we may not be surprised when we see the times perilous: <I>This know
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also.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. Paul tells Timothy what would be the occasion of making these times
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perilous, or what shall be the marks and signs whereby these times may
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be known,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>,
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&c.
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1. Self-love will make the times perilous. Who is there who does not
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love himself? But this is meant of an irregular sinful self-love. Men
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love their carnal selves better than their spiritual selves. Men love
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to gratify their own lusts, and make provision for them, more than to
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please God and do their duty. Instead of Christian charity, which takes
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care for the good of others, they will mind themselves only, and prefer
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their own gratification before the church's edification.
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2. Covetousness. Observe, Self-love brings in a long train of sins and
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mischiefs. When men are lovers of themselves, no good can be expected
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from them, as all good may be expected from those who love God with all
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their hearts. When covetousness generally prevails, when every man is
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for what he can get and for keeping what he has, this makes men
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dangerous to one another, and obliges every man to stand on his guard
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against his neighbour.
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3. Pride and vain-glory. The times are perilous when men, being proud
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of themselves, are <I>boasters and blasphemers,</I> boasters before men
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whom they despise and look upon with scorn, and blasphemers of God and
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of his name. When men do not fear God they will not regard man, and so
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<I>vice versâ.</I>
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4. When children are disobedient to their parents, and break through
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the obligations which they lie under to them both in duty and
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gratitude, and frequently in interest, having their dependence upon
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them and their expectation from them, they make the times perilous; for
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what wickedness will those stick at who will be abusive to their own
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parents and rebel against them?
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5. Unthankfulness and unholiness make the times perilous, and these two
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commonly go together. What is the reason that men are unholy and
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without the fear of God, but that they are unthankful for the mercies
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of God? Ingratitude and impiety go together; for call a man
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ungrateful, and you can call him by no worse name. Unthankful, and
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impure, defiled with fleshly lusts, which is an instance of great
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ingratitude to that God who has provided so well for the support of the
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body; we abuse his gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our
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lusts.
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6. The times are perilous when men will not be held by the bonds either
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of nature or common honesty, when they are <I>without natural
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affection,</I> and <I>truce-breakers,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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There is a natural affection due to all. Wherever there is the human
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nature, there should be humanity towards those of the same nature, but
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especially between relations. Times are perilous when children are
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disobedient to their parents
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>)
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and when parents are without natural affection to their children,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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See what a corruption of nature sin is, how it deprives men even of
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that which nature has implanted in them for the support of their own
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kind; for the natural affection of parents to their children is that
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which contributes very much to the keeping up of mankind upon the
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earth. And those who will not be bound by natural affection, no marvel
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that they will not be bound by the most solemn leagues and covenants.
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<I>They are truce-breakers,</I> that make no conscience of the
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engagements they have laid themselves under.
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7. The times are perilous when men are <I>false accusers</I> one of
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another, <B><I>diaboloi</I></B>--<I>devils</I> one to another, having
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no regard to the good name of others, or to the religious obligations
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of an oath, but thinking themselves at liberty to say and do what they
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please,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+12:4">Ps. xii. 4</A>.
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8. When men have no government of themselves and their own appetites:
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not of their own appetites, for they are <I>incontinent;</I> not of
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their own passions, for they are <I>fierce;</I> when they have no rule
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over their own spirits, and therefore are like a city that is broken
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down, and has no walls; they are soon fired, upon the least
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provocation.
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9. When that which is good and ought to be honoured is generally
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despised and looked upon with contempt. It is the pride of persecutors
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that they look with contempt upon good people, though they are more
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excellent than their neighbours.
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10. When men are generally treacherous, wilful, and haughty, the times
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are perilous
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>)--
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when men are <I>traitors, heady, high-minded.</I> Our Saviour has
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foretold that the brother shall betray the brother to death and the
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father the child
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:21">Matt. x. 21</A>),
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and those are the worst sort of traitors: those who delivered up their
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Bibles to persecutors were called <I>traditores,</I> for they betrayed
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the trust committed to them. When men are petulant and puffed up,
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behaving scornfully to all about them, and when this temper generally
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prevails, then the times are perilous.
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11. When men are generally <I>lovers of pleasure more than lovers of
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God.</I> When there are more epicures than true Christians, then the
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times are bad indeed. God is to be loved above all. That is a carnal
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mind, and is full of enmity against him, which prefers any thing before
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him, especially such a sordid thing as carnal pleasure is.
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12. When, notwithstanding all this, they <I>have the form of
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godliness</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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are called by the Christian name, baptized into the Christian faith,
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and make a show of religion; but, how plausible soever their form of
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godliness is, they deny the power of it. When they take upon them the
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form which should and would bring along with it the power thereof, they
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will put asunder what God hath joined together: they will assume the
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form of godliness, to take away their reproach; but they will not
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submit to the power of it, to take away their sin. Observe here,
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(1.) Men may be very bad and wicked under a profession of religion;
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they may be lovers of themselves, &c., yet have a form of godliness.
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(2.) A form of godliness is a very different thing from the power of
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it; men may have the one and be wholly destitute of the other; yea,
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they deny it, at least practically in their lives.
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(3.) From such good Christians must withdraw themselves.</P>
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<P>
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III. Here Paul warns Timothy to take heed of certain seducers, not only
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that he might not be drawn away by them himself, but that he might arm
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those who were under his charge against their seduction.
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1. He shows how industrious they were to make proselytes
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
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they applied themselves to particular persons, visited them in their
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houses, not daring to appear openly; for those that do evil hate the
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light,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:20">John iii. 20</A>.
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They were not forced into houses, as good Christians often were by
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persecution; but they of choice crept into houses, to insinuate
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themselves into the affections and good opinion of people, and so to
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draw them over to their party. And see what sort of people those were
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that they gained, and made proselytes of; they were such as were weak,
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<I>silly women;</I> and such as were wicked, <I>laden with sins, and
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led away with divers lusts.</I> A foolish head and a filthy heart make
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persons, especially women, an easy prey to seducers.
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2. He shows how far they were from coming to the knowledge of the
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truth, though they pretended to be <I>ever learning,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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In one sense we must all be ever learning, that is, growing in
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knowledge, following on to know the Lord, pressing forward; but these
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were sceptics, giddy and unstable, who were forward to imbibe every new
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notion, under pretence of advancement in knowledge, but never came to a
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right understanding of the truth as it is in Jesus.
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3. He foretels the certain stop that should be put to their progress
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>),
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comparing them to the Egyptian magicians who withstood Moses, and who
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are here named, <I>Jannes and Jambres;</I> though the names are not to
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be met with in the story of the Old Testament, yet they are found in
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some old Jewish writers. When Moses came with a divine command to fetch
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Israel out of Egypt, these magicians opposed him. Thus those heretics
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<I>resisted the truth</I> and like them were men <I>of corrupt
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minds,</I> men who had their understandings perverted, biassed and
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prejudiced against the truth, and <I>reprobate concerning the
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faith,</I> or very far from being true Christians; <I>but they shall
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proceed no further,</I> or not much further, as some read it. Observe,
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(1.) Seducers seek for corners, and love obscurity; for they are afraid
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to appear in public, and therefore creep into houses. Further, They
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attack those who are the least able to defend themselves, silly and
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wicked women.
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(2.) Seducers in all ages are much alike. Their characters are the
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same--namely, <I>Men of corrupt minds,</I> &c.; their conduct is much
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the same--they resist the truth, as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses;
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and they will be alike in their disappointment.
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(3.) Those who resist the truth are guilty of folly, yea, of egregious
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folly; for <I>magna est veritas, et prævalebit--Great is the
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truth, and shall prevail.</I>
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(4.) Though the spirit of error may be let loose for a time, God has it
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in a chain. Satan can deceive the nations and the churches no further
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and no longer than God will permit him: <I>Their folly shall be
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manifest,</I> it shall appear that they are imposters, and every man
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shall abandon them.</P>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti3_17"> </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>Marks of Perilous Times; Excellence of the Scriptures.</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>10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life,
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purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
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11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at
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Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of
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<I>them</I> all the Lord delivered me.
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12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
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suffer persecution.
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13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
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deceiving, and being deceived.
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14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and
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hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned <I>them;</I>
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15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,
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which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith
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which is in Christ Jesus.
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16 All scripture <I>is</I> given by inspiration of God, and <I>is</I>
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profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
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instruction in righteousness:
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17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
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all good works.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here the apostle, to confirm Timothy in that way wherein he walked,</P>
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<P>
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I. Sets before him his own example, which Timothy had been an
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eye-witness of, having long attended Paul
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
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<I>Thou hast fully known my doctrine.</I> The more fully we know the
|
|
doctrine of Christ and the apostles, the more closely we shall cleave
|
|
to it; the reason why many sit loose to it is because they do not fully
|
|
know it. Christ's apostles had no enemies but those who did not know
|
|
them, or not know them fully; those who knew them best loved and
|
|
honoured them the most. Now what is it that Timothy had so fully known
|
|
in Paul?
|
|
|
|
1. The doctrine that he preached. Paul kept back nothing from his
|
|
hearers, but declared to them the whole counsel of God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:27">Acts xx. 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
so that if it were not their own fault they might fully know it.
|
|
Timothy had a great advantage in being trained up under such a tutor,
|
|
and being apprised of the doctrine he preached.
|
|
|
|
2. He had fully known his conversation: <I>Thou hast fully know my
|
|
doctrine, and manner of life;</I> his manner of life was of a piece
|
|
with his doctrine, and did not contradict it. He did not pull down by
|
|
his living what he built up by his preaching. Those ministers are
|
|
likely to do good, and leave lasting fruits of their labours, whose
|
|
manner of life agrees with their doctrine; as, on the contrary, those
|
|
cannot expect to profit the people at all that preach well and live
|
|
ill.
|
|
|
|
3. Timothy fully knew what was the great thing that Paul had in view,
|
|
both in his preaching and in his conversation: "Thou hast known <I>my
|
|
purpose,</I> what I drive at, how far it is from any worldly, carnal,
|
|
secular design, and how sincerely I aim at the glory of God and the
|
|
good of the souls of men."
|
|
|
|
4. Timothy fully knew Paul's good character, which he might gather from
|
|
his doctrine, manner of life, and purpose; for he gave proofs of his
|
|
<I>faith</I> (that is, of his integrity and fidelity, or his faith in
|
|
Christ, his faith concerning another world, by which Paul lived), his
|
|
<I>long-suffering</I> towards the churches to which he preached and
|
|
over which he presided, his <I>charity</I> towards all men, and his
|
|
<I>patience.</I> These were graces that Paul was eminent for, and
|
|
Timothy knew it.
|
|
|
|
5. He knew that he had suffered ill for doing well
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
|
|
|
|
"Thou hast fully known the <I>persecutions and afflictions that came
|
|
unto me</I>" (he mentions those only which happened to him while
|
|
Timothy was with him, <I>at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra</I>); "and
|
|
therefore let it be no surprise to thee if thou suffer hard things, it
|
|
is no more than I have endured before."
|
|
|
|
6. He knew what care God had taken of him: <I>Notwithstanding out of
|
|
them all the Lord delivered me;</I> as he never failed his cause, so
|
|
his God never failed him. Thou hast fully known my <I>afflictions.</I>
|
|
When we know the afflictions of good people but in part, they are a
|
|
temptation to us to decline that cause which they suffer for; when we
|
|
know only the hardships they undergo for Christ, we may be ready to
|
|
say, "We will renounce that cause that is likely to cost us so dear in
|
|
the owning of it;" but when we <I>fully</I> know the afflictions, not
|
|
only how they suffer, but how they are supported and comforted under
|
|
their sufferings, then, instead of being discouraged, we shall be
|
|
animated by them, especially considering that we are told before that
|
|
we must count upon such things
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
|
|
persecution:</I> not always alike; at that time those who professed the
|
|
faith of Christ were more exposed to persecution than at other times;
|
|
but at all times, more or less, those who will live godly in Christ
|
|
Jesus shall suffer persecution. They must expect to be despised, and
|
|
that their religion will stand in the way of their preferment; those
|
|
who will live godly must expect it, especially those who will live
|
|
godly <I>in Christ Jesus,</I> that is, according to the strict rules of
|
|
the Christian religion, those who will wear the livery and bear the
|
|
name of the crucified Redeemer. All who will show their religion in
|
|
their conversation, who will not only be godly, but live godly, let
|
|
them expect persecution, especially when they are resolute in it.
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The apostle's life was very exemplary for three things: for his
|
|
<I>doctrine,</I> which was according to the will of God; for his
|
|
<I>life,</I> which was agreeable to his doctrine; and for his
|
|
<I>persecutions and sufferings.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Though his life was a life of great usefulness, yet it was a life
|
|
of great sufferings; and none, I believe, came nearer to their great
|
|
Master for eminent services and great sufferings than Paul: he suffered
|
|
almost in every place; the Holy Ghost witnessed that bonds and
|
|
afflictions did abide him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:23">Acts xx. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here he mentions his persecutions and afflictions at <I>Antioch,</I> at
|
|
<I>Iconium,</I> at <I>Lystra,</I> besides what he suffered elsewhere.
|
|
|
|
(3.) The apostle mentions the Lord's delivering him out of them all,
|
|
for Timothy's and our encouragement under sufferings.
|
|
|
|
(4.) We have the practice and treatment of true Christians: they live
|
|
godly in Jesus Christ--this is their practice; and they shall suffer
|
|
persecution--this is the usage they must expect in this world.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He warns Timothy of the fatal end of seducers, as a reason why he
|
|
should stick closely to the truth as it is in Jesus: <I>But evil men
|
|
and seducers shall wax worse and worse,</I> &c.,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe, As good men, by the grace of God, grow better and better, so
|
|
bad men, through the subtlety of Satan and the power of their own
|
|
corruptions, grow worse and worse. The way of sin is down-hill; for
|
|
such proceed from bad to worse, <I>deceiving and being deceived.</I>
|
|
Those who deceive others do but deceive themselves; those who draw
|
|
others into error run themselves into more and more mistakes, and they
|
|
will find it so at last, to their cost.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He directs him to keep close to a good education, and particularly
|
|
to what he had learned out of the holy scriptures
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned.</I> Note, It is
|
|
not enough to learn that which is good, but we must continue in it, and
|
|
persevere in it unto the end. Then are we Christ's disciples indeed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+8:31">John viii. 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
We should not be any more <I>children, tossed to and fro, and carried
|
|
about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning
|
|
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:14">Eph. iv. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines; for it is a
|
|
good thing that the heart be established with grace,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+13:9">Heb. xiii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
And for this reason we should continue in the things we have learned
|
|
from the holy scriptures; not that we ought to continue in any errors
|
|
and mistakes which we may have been led into, in the time of our
|
|
childhood and youth (for these, upon an impartial enquiry and full
|
|
conviction, we should forsake); but this makes nothing against our
|
|
continuing in those things which the holy scriptures plainly assert,
|
|
and which he that runs may read. If Timothy would adhere to the truth
|
|
as he had been taught it, this would arm him against the snares and
|
|
insinuations of seducers. Observe, Timothy must <I>continue in the
|
|
things which he had learned and had been assured of.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It is a great happiness to know the certainty of the things wherein
|
|
we have been instructed
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:4">Luke i. 4</A>);
|
|
|
|
not only to know what the truths are, but to know that they are of
|
|
undoubted certainty. What we have learned we must labour to be more and
|
|
more assured of, that, being grounded in the truth, we may be guarded
|
|
against error, for certainty in religion is of great importance and
|
|
advantage: <I>Knowing,</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) "That thou hast had good teachers. Consider of <I>whom thou hast
|
|
learned them;</I> not of evil men and seducers, but good men, who had
|
|
themselves experienced the power of the truths they taught thee, and
|
|
been ready to suffer for them, and thereby would give the fullest
|
|
evidence of their belief of these truths."
|
|
|
|
(2.) "Knowing especially the firm foundation upon which thou hast
|
|
built, namely, that of the scripture
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>That from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures.</I>"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Those who would acquaint themselves with the things of God, and be
|
|
assured of them, must know the holy scriptures, for these are the
|
|
summary of divine revelation.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. It is a great happiness to know the holy scriptures from our
|
|
childhood; and children should betimes get the knowledge of the
|
|
scriptures. The age of children is the learning age; and those who
|
|
would get true learning must get it out of the scriptures.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. The scriptures we are to know are the holy scriptures; they come
|
|
from the holy God, were delivered by holy men, contain holy precepts,
|
|
treat of holy things, and were designed to make us holy and to lead us
|
|
in the way of holiness to happiness; being called the <I>holy
|
|
scriptures,</I> they are by this distinguished from profane writings of
|
|
all sorts, and from those that only treat morality, and common justice
|
|
and honesty, but do not meddle with holiness. If we would know the holy
|
|
scriptures, we must read and search them daily, as the noble Bereans
|
|
did,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+17:11">Acts xvii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
They must not lie by us neglected, and seldom or never looked into. Now
|
|
here observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) What is the excellency of the scripture. It is <I>given by
|
|
inspiration of God</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
and therefore is his word. It is a divine revelation, which we may
|
|
depend upon as infallibly true. The same Spirit that breathed reason
|
|
into us breathes revelation among us: <I>For the prophecy came not in
|
|
old time by the will of man, but holy men spoke as they were moved or
|
|
carried forth by the Holy Ghost,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:21">2 Pet. i. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but what they
|
|
received of the Lord that they delivered unto us. That the scripture
|
|
was given by inspiration of God appears from the majesty of its
|
|
style,--from the truth, purity, and sublimity, of the doctrines
|
|
contained in it,--from the harmony of its several parts,--from its
|
|
power and efficacy on the minds of multitudes that converse with
|
|
it,--from the accomplishment of many prophecies relating to things
|
|
beyond all human foresight,--and from the uncontrollable miracles that
|
|
were wrought in proof of its divine original: <I>God also bearing them
|
|
witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and
|
|
gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:4">Heb. ii. 4</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) What use it will be of to us.
|
|
|
|
[1.] <I>It is able to make us wise to salvation;</I> that is, it is a
|
|
sure guide in our way to eternal life. Note, Those are wise indeed who
|
|
are wise to salvation. The scriptures are able to make us truly wise,
|
|
wise for our souls and another world. "To make thee wise to salvation
|
|
<I>through faith.</I>" Observe, The scriptures will make us wise to
|
|
salvation, if they be mixed with faith, and not otherwise,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+4:2">Heb. iv. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
For, if we do not believe their truth and goodness, they will do us no
|
|
good.
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is <I>profitable</I> to us for all the purposes of the
|
|
Christian life, <I>for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
|
|
instruction in righteousness.</I> It answers all the ends of divine
|
|
revelation. It instructs us in that which is true, reproves us for that
|
|
which is amiss, directs us in that which is good. It is of use to all,
|
|
for we all need to be instructed, corrected, and reproved: it is of
|
|
special use to ministers, who are to give instruction, correction, and
|
|
reproof; and whence can they fetch it better than from the scripture?
|
|
|
|
[3.] <I>That the man of God may be perfect,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Christian, the minister, is the man of God. That which finishes a
|
|
man of God in this world is the scripture. By it we are <I>thoroughly
|
|
furnished for every good work.</I> There is that in the scripture which
|
|
suits every case. Whatever duty we have to do, whatever service is
|
|
required from us, we may find enough in the scriptures to furnish us
|
|
for it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) On the whole we here see,
|
|
|
|
[1.] That the scripture has various uses, and answers divers ends and
|
|
purposes: <I>It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
|
|
correction</I> of all errors in judgment and practice, and <I>for
|
|
instruction in righteousness.</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] The scripture is a perfect rule of faith and practice, and was
|
|
designed for the man of God, the minister as well as the Christian who
|
|
is devoted to God, for it is <I>profitable for doctrine,</I> &c.
|
|
|
|
[3.] If we consult the scripture, which was given by inspiration of
|
|
God, and follow its directions, we shall be made men of God,
|
|
<I>perfect, and thoroughly furnished to every good work.</I>
|
|
|
|
[4.] There is no occasion for the writings of the philosopher, nor for
|
|
rabbinical fables, nor popish legends, nor unwritten traditions, to
|
|
make us perfect men of God, since the scripture answers all these ends
|
|
and purposes. O that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to
|
|
them than ever! and then shall we find the benefit and advantage
|
|
designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein
|
|
promised and assured to us.</P>
|
|
|
|
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