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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second Timothy IV].</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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[<A HREF="MHC55003.HTM">Previous</A>]
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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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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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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. IV.</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,
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I. Paul with great solemnity and earnestness presses Timothy to the
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diligent and conscientious discharge of his work and office as an
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evangelist; and the charge given to him all gospel ministers are to
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take to themselves,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:1-5">ver. 1-5</A>.
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II. The reason of his concern in this case, Why must Timothy now be
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instant in season, &c., in a particular manner? Because the church was
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likely to be deprived of the apostle's labours, for his departure was
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at hand,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:6-8">ver. 6-8</A>.
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III. Divers particular matters, with a hint and caution, about
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Alexander the coppersmith,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:9-15">ver. 9-15</A>.
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IV. He informs him of what befel him at his first answer; though men
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forsook him, the Lord stood by him, and this encouraged him to hope for
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future deliverance
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:16-18">ver. 16-18</A>)
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And then he concludes with salutations and a benediction,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:19-22">ver. 19, to the end</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Ti4_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti4_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti4_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti4_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti4_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti4_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti4_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti4_8"> </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 Duties; The Apostle's Joyful Expectation.</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 I charge <I>thee</I> therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus
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Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing
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and his kingdom;
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2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
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reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
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3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound
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doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
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teachers, having itching ears;
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4 And they shall turn away <I>their</I> ears from the truth, and
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shall be turned unto fables.
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5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work
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of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
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6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my
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departure is at hand.
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7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished <I>my</I> course, I
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have kept the faith:
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8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
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which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
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and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his
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appearing.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Observe,
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I. How awfully this charge is introduced
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>):
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<I>I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge
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the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.</I> Observe,
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The best of men have need to be awed into the discharge of their duty.
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The work of a minister is not an indifferent thing, but absolutely
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necessary. Woe be to him if he preach not the gospel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:16">1 Cor. ix. 16</A>.
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To induce him to faithfulness, he must consider,
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1. That the eye of God and Jesus Christ was upon him: <I>I charge thee
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before God and the Lord Jesus Christ;</I> that is, "as thou tenderest
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the favour of God and Jesus Christ; as thou wilt approve thyself to God
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and Jesus Christ, by the obligations both of natural and revealed
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religion; as thou wilt make due returns to the God who made thee and
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the Lord Jesus Christ who redeemed thee."
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2. He charges him as he will answer it at the great day, reminding him
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of the judgment to come, which is committed to the Lord Jesus. He shall
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judge the quick and the dead <I>at his appearing and his kingdom,</I>
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that is, when he appears in his kingdom. It concerns all, both
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ministers and people, seriously to consider the account that they must
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shortly give to Jesus Christ of all the trusts reposed in them. Christ
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shall <I>judge the quick and the dead,</I> that is, those that at the
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last day shall be found alive, and those who shall be raised to life
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out of the grave. Note,
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(1.) The Lord Jesus Christ shall judge the quick and the dead. <I>God
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hath committed all judgment unto the Son,</I> and hath appointed him
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the Judge of quick and dead,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+10:42">Acts x. 42</A>.
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(2.) He will appear; he will come the second time, and it will be a
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glorious appearance, as the word <B><I>epiphaneia</I></B> signifies.
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(3.) Then his kingdom shall appear in its glory: <I>At his appearing
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and kingdom;</I> for he will then appear in his kingdom, sitting on a
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throne, to judge the world.</P>
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<P>
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II. What is the matter of the charge,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:2-5"><I>v.</I> 2-5</A>.
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He is charged,</P>
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<P>
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1. To <I>preach the word.</I> This is ministers' business; a
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dispensation is committed to them. It is not their own notions and
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fancies that they are to preach, but the pure plain word of God; and
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they must not corrupt it, but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the
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sight of God, they speak in Christ,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:17">2 Cor. ii. 17</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. To urge what he preached, and to press it with all earnestness upon
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his hearers: "<I>Be instant in season and out of season, reprove,
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rebuke, exhort;</I> do this work with all fervency of spirit. Call upon
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those under thy charge to take heed of sin, to do their duty: call upon
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them to repent, and believe, and live a holy life, and this both in
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season and out of season. <I>In season,</I> when they are at leisure to
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hear thee, when some special opportunity offers itself of speaking to
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them with advantage. Nay, do it <I>out of season,</I> even when there
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is not that apparent probability of fastening something upon them,
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because thou dost not know but the Spirit of God may fasten upon them;
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for the wind bloweth where it listeth; and <I>in the morning we must
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sow our seed, and in the evening not withhold our hand,</I>"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+11:6">Eccl. xi. 6</A>.
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We must do it in season, that is, let slip no opportunity; and do it
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out of season, that is, not shift off the duty, under pretence that it
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is out of season.</P>
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<P>
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3. He must tell people of their faults: "<I>Reprove them, rebuke
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them.</I> Convince wicked people of the evil and danger of their wicked
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courses. Endeavour, by dealing plainly with them, to bring them to
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repentance. Rebuke them with gravity and authority, in Christ's name,
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that they may take thy displeasure against them as an indication of
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God's displeasure."</P>
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<P>
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4. He must direct, encourage, and quicken those who began well.
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"<I>Exhort them</I> (persuade them to hold on, and endure to the end)
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and this <I>with all long-suffering and doctrine.</I>"
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(1.) He must do it very patiently: <I>With all long-suffering.</I> "If
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thou do not see the effect of thy labours presently, yet do not
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therefore give up the cause; be not weary of speaking to them." While
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God shows to them all long-suffering, let ministers exhort with all
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long-suffering.
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(2.) He must do it rationally, not with passion, but <I>with
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doctrine,</I> that is, "In order to the reducing of them to good
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practices, instil into them good principles. Teach them the truth as it
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is in Jesus, reduce them to a firm belief of it, and this will be a
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means both to reclaim them from evil and to bring them to good."
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Observe,
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[1.] A minister's work has various parts: he is to <I>preach the
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word,</I> to <I>reprove, rebuke,</I> and <I>exhort.</I>
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[2.] He is to be very diligent and careful; he must be <I>instant in
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season and out of season;</I> he must spare no pains nor labour, but
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must be urgent with them to take care of their souls and their eternal
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concerns.</P>
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<P>
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5. He must <I>watch in all things.</I> "Seek an opportunity of doing
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them a kindness; let no fair occasion slip, through thy negligence.
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Watch to thy work; watch against the temptations of Satan, by which
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thou mayest be diverted from it; watch over the souls of those who are
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committed to thy charge."</P>
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<P>
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6. He must count upon afflictions, and endure them, make the best of
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them. <B><I>Kakopatheson,</I></B> endure <I>patiently.</I> "Be not
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discouraged by the difficulties thou meetest with, but bear them with
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an evenness of spirit. Inure thyself to hardships."</P>
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<P>
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7. He must remember his office, and discharge its duties: <I>Do the
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work of an evangelist.</I> The office of the evangelist was, as the
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apostles' deputies, to water the churches that they planted. They were
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not settled pastors, but for some time resided in, and presided over,
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the churches that the apostles had planted, till they were settled
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under a standing ministry. This was Timothy's work.</P>
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<P>
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8. He must fulfil his ministry: <I>Make full proof of it.</I> It was a
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great trust that was reposed in him, and therefore he must answer it,
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and perform all the parts of his office with diligence and care.
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Observe,
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(1.) A minister must expect afflictions in the faithful discharge of
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his duty.
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(2.) He must endure them patiently, like a Christian hero.
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(3.) These must not discourage him in his work, for he must do his
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work, and fulfil his ministry.
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(4.) The best way to make full proof of our ministry is to fulfil it,
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to fill it up in all its parts with proper work.</P>
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<P>
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III. The reasons to enforce the charge.</P>
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<P>
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1. Because errors and heresies were likely to creep into the church, by
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which the minds of many professing Christians would be corrupted
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>):
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"<I>For the time will come when they will not endure sound
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doctrine.</I> Therefore improve the present time, when they will endure
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it. Be busy now, for it is seedtime; when the fields are white unto the
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harvest, put in the sickle, for the present gale of opportunity will be
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soon over. <I>They will not endure sound doctrine.</I> There will be
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those who will <I>heap to themselves corrupt teachers, and will turn
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away their ears from the truth;</I> and therefore secure as many as
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thou canst, that, when these storms and tempests do arise, they may be
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well fixed, and their apostasy may be prevented." People must hear, and
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ministers must preach, for the time to come, and guard against the
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mischiefs that are likely to arise hereafter, though they do not yet
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arise. They will <I>turn away their ears from the truth;</I> they will
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grow weary of the old plain gospel of Christ, and then they will be
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greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them, and God will give them up
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to those strong delusions, because they received not the truth in the
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love of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:11,12">2 Thess. ii. 11, 12</A>.
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Observe,
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(1.) These teachers were of their own heaping up, and not of God's
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sending; but they chose them, to gratify their lusts, and to please
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their itching ears.
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(2.) People do so when they will not endure sound doctrine, that
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preaching which is searching, plain, and to the purpose; then they will
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have teachers of their own.
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(3.) There is a wide difference between the word of God and the word of
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such teachers; the one is sound doctrine, the word of truth, the other
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is only fables.
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(4.) Those that are turned unto fables first turn away their ears from
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the truth, for they cannot hear and mind both, any more than they can
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serve two masters. Nay, further, it is said, <I>They shall be turned
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unto fables.</I> God justly suffers those to turn to fables who grow
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weary of the truth, and gives them up to be led aside from the truth by
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fables.</P>
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<P>
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2. Because Paul for his part had almost done his work: <I>Do thou make
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full proof of thy ministry, for I am now ready to be offered,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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And,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) "Therefore there will be the more occasion for thee." When
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labourers are removed out of the vineyard, it is no time for those to
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loiter that are left behind, but to double their diligence. The fewer
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hands there are to work the more industrious those hands must be that
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are at work.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) "I have done the work of my day and generation; do thou in like
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manner do the work of thy day and generation."</P>
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<P>
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(3.) The comfort and cheerfulness of Paul, in the prospect of his
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approaching departure, might encourage Timothy to the utmost industry,
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and diligence, and seriousness in his work. Paul was an old soldier of
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Jesus Christ, Timothy was but newly enlisted. "Come," says Paul, "I
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have found our Master kind and the cause good; I can look back upon my
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warfare with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction; and therefore
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be not afraid of the difficulties thou must meet with. The crown of
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life is as sure to thee as if it were already upon thy head; and
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therefore endure afflictions, and make full proof of thy ministry." The
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courage and comfort of dying saints and ministers, and especially dying
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martyrs, are a great confirmation of the truth of the Christian
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religion, and a great encouragement to living saints and ministers in
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their work. Here the apostle looks forward, upon his death approaching:
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<I>I am now ready to be offered.</I> The Holy Ghost witnessed in every
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city that bonds and afflictions did abide him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:23">Acts xx. 23</A>.
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He was now at Rome, and it is probable that he had particular
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intimations from the Spirit that there he should seal the truth with
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his blood; and he looks upon it now as near at hand: I am <I>already
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poured out;</I> so it is in the original, <B><I>ede spendomai;</I></B>
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that is, I am already a martyr in affection. It alludes to the pouring
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out of the drink-offerings; for the blood of the martyrs, though it was
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not a sacrifice of atonement, was a sacrifice of acknowledgment to the
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honour of the grace of God and his truths. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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[1.] With what pleasure he speaks of dying. He calls it his departure;
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though it is probable that he foresaw he must die a violent bloody
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death, yet he calls it his departure, or his release. Death to a good
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man is his release from the imprisonment of this world and his
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departure to the enjoyments of another world; he does not cease to be,
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but is only removed from one world to another.</P>
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<P>
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[2.] With what pleasure he looks back upon the life he had lived
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
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<I>I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,</I> &c. He
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did not fear death, because he had the testimony of his conscience that
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by the grace of God he had in some measure answered the ends of living.
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As a Christian, as a minister, he had fought a good fight. He had done
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the service, gone through the difficulties of his warfare, and had been
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instrumental in carrying on the glorious victories of the exalted
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Redeemer over the powers of darkness. His life was a course, and he had
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now finished it; as his warfare was accomplished, so his race was run.
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"<I>I have kept the faith.</I> I have kept the doctrines of the gospel,
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and never betrayed any of them." Note, <I>First,</I> The life of a
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Christian, but especially of a minister, is a warfare and a race,
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sometimes compared to the one in the scripture, and sometimes to the
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other. <I>Secondly,</I> It is a good fight, a good warfare; the cause
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is good, and the victory is sure, if we continue faithful and
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courageous. <I>Thirdly,</I> We must fight this good fight; we must
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fight it out, and finish our course; we must not give over till we are
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made more than conquerors through him who hath loved us,
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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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<I>Fourthly,</I> It is a great comfort to a dying saint, when he can
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look back upon his past life and say with our apostle, "<I>I have
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fought,</I> &c. I have kept the faith, the doctrine of faith and the
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grace of faith." Towards the end of our days to be able to speak in
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this manner, what comfort, unspeakable comfort, will it afford! Let it
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|
then be our constant endeavour, by the grace of God, that we may finish
|
|
our course with joy,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:24">Acts xx. 24</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[3.] With what pleasure he looks forward to the life he was to live
|
|
hereafter
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,</I> &c.
|
|
He had lost for Christ, but he was sure he should not lose by him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:8">Phil. iii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let this encourage Timothy to endure hardness as a good soldier of
|
|
Jesus Christ that there is a crown of life before us, the glory and joy
|
|
of which will abundantly recompense all the hardships and toils of our
|
|
present warfare. Observe, It is called <I>a crown of righteousness,</I>
|
|
because it will be the recompence of our services, which <I>God is not
|
|
unrighteous to forget;</I> and because our holiness and righteousness
|
|
will there be perfected, and will be our crown. God will give it as
|
|
<I>a righteous Judge,</I> who will let none love by him. And yet this
|
|
crown of righteousness was not peculiar to Paul, as if it belonged only
|
|
to apostles and eminent ministers and martyrs, but <I>to all those also
|
|
that love his appearing.</I> Observe, It is the character of all the
|
|
saints that they love the appearing of Jesus Christ: they loved his
|
|
first appearing, when he appeared to take away sin by the sacrifice of
|
|
himself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:26">Heb. ix. 26</A>);
|
|
|
|
they love to think of it; they love his second appearing at the great
|
|
day; love it, and long for it: and, with respect to those who love the
|
|
appearing of Jesus Christ, he shall appear to their joy; there is a
|
|
crown of righteousness reserved for them, which shall then be given
|
|
them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:28">Heb. ix. 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
We learn hence, <I>First,</I> The Lord is the righteous Judge, for his
|
|
judgment is according to truth. <I>Secondly,</I> The crown of
|
|
believers is a crown of righteousness, purchased by the righteousness
|
|
of Christ, and bestowed as the reward of the saints' righteousness.
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> This crown, which believers shall wear, is laid up for
|
|
them; they have it not at present, for here they are but heirs; they
|
|
have it not in possession, and yet it is sure, for it is laid up for
|
|
them. <I>Fourthly,</I> The righteous Judge will give it to all who
|
|
love, prepare, and long for his appearing. <I>Surely I come quickly.
|
|
Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_15"> </A>
|
|
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Directions to Timothy.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
|
|
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,
|
|
and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus
|
|
unto Dalmatia.
|
|
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee:
|
|
for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
|
|
12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
|
|
13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou
|
|
comest, bring <I>with thee,</I> and the books, <I>but</I> especially the
|
|
parchments.
|
|
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward
|
|
him according to his works:
|
|
15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our
|
|
words.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here are divers particular matters which Paul mentions to Timothy, now
|
|
at the closing of the epistle.
|
|
|
|
1. He bids him hasten to him, if possible
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>So thy diligence to come shortly to me.</I> For Timothy was an
|
|
evangelist, one who was not a fixed pastor of any one place, but
|
|
attended the motions of the apostles, to build upon their foundation.
|
|
Paul wanted Timothy's company and help; and the reason he gives is
|
|
because several had left him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>);
|
|
|
|
one from an ill principle, namely, <I>Demas,</I> who abides under an
|
|
ill name for it: <I>Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present
|
|
world.</I> He quitted Paul and his interest, either for fear of
|
|
suffering (because Paul was now a prisoner, and he was afraid of coming
|
|
into trouble upon his account) or being called off from his ministry by
|
|
secular affairs, in which he entangled himself; his first love to
|
|
Christ and his gospel was forsaken and forgotten, and he fell in love
|
|
with the world. Note, Love to this present world is often the cause of
|
|
apostasy from the truths and ways of Jesus Christ. He has gone off, has
|
|
<I>departed to Thessalonica,</I> called thither perhaps by trade, or by
|
|
some other worldly business. <I>Crescens</I> had gone one way and
|
|
<I>Titus</I> another way. <I>Luke</I> however remained with Paul
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
and was not this enough? Paul did not think it so; he loved the company
|
|
of his friends.
|
|
|
|
2. He speaks respectfully concerning <I>Mark: He is profitable to me
|
|
for the ministry.</I> It is supposed that this Mark was he about whom
|
|
Paul and Barnabas had contended,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+15:39">Acts xv. 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
Paul would not take him with him to the work, because he had once
|
|
flinched and drawn back: but now, says he, <I>Take Mark, and bring him
|
|
with thee.</I> By this it appears that Paul was now reconciled to Mark,
|
|
and had a better opinion of him than he had had formerly. This teaches
|
|
us to be of a forgiving spirit; we must not therefore disclaim for ever
|
|
making use of those that are profitable and useful, though they may
|
|
have done amiss.
|
|
|
|
3. Paul orders Timothy to come to him, bids him as he came through
|
|
Troas to bring with him thence those things which he had left behind
|
|
him there
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
the cloak he had left there, which, it may be, Paul had the more
|
|
occasion for in a cold prison. It is probable that it was the habit
|
|
Paul usually wore, a plain dress. Some read it, the <I>roll of
|
|
parchment I left at Troas;</I> others, the <I>desk</I> that I left.
|
|
Paul was guided by divine inspiration, and yet he would have his books
|
|
with him. Whereas he had exhorted Timothy to give attendance to
|
|
reading, so he did himself, though he was now ready to be offered. As
|
|
long as we live, we must be still learning. <I>But especially the
|
|
parchments,</I> which some think were the originals of his epistles;
|
|
others think they were the skins of which he made his tents, whereby he
|
|
obtained a livelihood, working with his own hands.
|
|
|
|
4. He mentions <I>Alexander,</I> and the mischief that he had done
|
|
him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is he who is spoken of
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:33">Acts xix. 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
It should seem, he had been a professor of the Christian religion, a
|
|
forward professor, for he was there particularly maligned by the
|
|
worshippers of Diana, and yet he did Paul much evil. Paul was in as
|
|
much danger from false brethren
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+11:26">2 Cor. xi. 26</A>)
|
|
|
|
as from open enemies. Paul foretels that God would reckon with him. It
|
|
is a prophetical denunciation of the just judgment of God that would
|
|
befal him: The Lord <I>will reward him according to his works.</I> He
|
|
cautions Timothy to take heed of him: "<I>Of whom be thou aware
|
|
also,</I> that he do not, under pretence of friendship, betray thee to
|
|
mischief." It is dangerous having any thing to do with those who would
|
|
be enemies to such a man as Paul. Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Some who were once Paul's hearers and admirers did not give him
|
|
reason to remember them with much pleasure; for one forsook him, and
|
|
another did him much evil, and greatly withstood his words. Yet,
|
|
|
|
(2.) At the same time he mentions some with pleasure; the badness of
|
|
some did not make him forget the goodness of others; such as
|
|
<I>Timothy, Titus, Mark,</I> and <I>Luke.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) The apostle has left a brand on the names and memory of two
|
|
persons; the one is <I>Demas,</I> who forsook him, having loved the
|
|
present world, and the other is <I>Alexander,</I> who greatly withstood
|
|
his words.
|
|
|
|
(4.) God will reward evil-doers, particularly apostates, according to
|
|
their works.
|
|
|
|
(5.) Of such as are of Alexander's spirit and temper we should beware;
|
|
for they will do us no good, but all the mischief that is in their
|
|
power.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti4_22"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Directions to Timothy; Salutations and Benedictions.</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>16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all <I>men</I>
|
|
forsook me: <I>I pray God</I> that it may not be laid to their charge.
|
|
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me;
|
|
that by me the preaching might be fully known, and <I>that</I> all the
|
|
Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the
|
|
lion.
|
|
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will
|
|
preserve <I>me</I> unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom <I>be</I> glory for
|
|
ever and ever. Amen.
|
|
19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
|
|
20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at
|
|
Miletum sick.
|
|
21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth
|
|
thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
|
|
22 The Lord Jesus Christ <I>be</I> with thy spirit. Grace <I>be</I> with
|
|
you. Amen.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
I. He gives Timothy an account of his own present circumstances.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He had lately been called to appear before the emperor, upon his
|
|
appeal to Cæsar; and then <I>no man stood with him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
to plead his cause, to bear testimony for him, or so much as to keep
|
|
him in countenance, but <I>all men forsook him.</I> This was strange,
|
|
that so good a man as Paul should have nobody to own him, even at Rome,
|
|
where there were many Christians, whose faith was spoken of throughout
|
|
the world,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:8">Rom. i. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
But men are but men. The Christians at Rome were forward to go and meet
|
|
him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+28:1-31">Acts xxviii.</A>);
|
|
|
|
but when it came to the pinch, and they would be in danger of suffering
|
|
with him, then they all forsook him. He prays that God would not lay it
|
|
to their charge, intimating that it was a great fault, and God might
|
|
justly be angry with them, but he prays God to forgive them. See what a
|
|
distinction is put between sins of presumption and sins of infirmity.
|
|
Alexander the coppersmith, who maliciously withstood Paul, he prays
|
|
against: <I>The Lord reward him according to his works;</I> but
|
|
respecting these Christians, who through weakness shrunk from Paul in
|
|
time of trial, he says, <I>The Lord lay it not to their charge.</I>
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Paul had his trials in his friends' forsaking him in a time of
|
|
danger as well as in the opposition made by enemies: all forsook him.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It was their sin not to appear for the good apostle, especially at
|
|
his first answer; but it was a sin of weakness, and therefore the more
|
|
excusable. Yet,
|
|
|
|
(3.) God might lay it to their charge, but Paul endeavours to prevent
|
|
it by his earnest prayers: <I>Let it not be laid to their
|
|
charge.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. <I>Notwithstanding this God stood by him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
gave him extraordinary wisdom and courage, to enable him to speak so
|
|
much the better himself. When he had nobody to keep him in countenance,
|
|
God made his face to shine.--<I>That by me the preaching might be fully
|
|
known,</I> that is, "God brought me out from that difficulty that I
|
|
might preach the gospel, which is my business." Nay, it should seem,
|
|
that he might preach the gospel at that time; for Paul knew how to
|
|
preach at the bar as well as in the pulpit. <I>And that all the
|
|
Gentiles might hear;</I> the emperor himself and the great men who
|
|
would never have heard Paul preach if he had not been brought before
|
|
them. <I>And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion,</I> that is,
|
|
of Nero (as some think) or some other judge. Some understand it only as
|
|
a proverbial form of speech, to signify that he was in imminent danger.
|
|
<I>And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work.</I> See how Paul
|
|
improved his experiences: "<I>He that delivered doth deliver, and we
|
|
trust he will yet deliver,</I> will deliver me <I>from every evil
|
|
work,</I> from any ill done to me by others. <I>And shall preserve me
|
|
to his heavenly kingdom.</I>" And for this he gives glory to God,
|
|
rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) If the Lord stand by us, he will strengthen us, in a time of
|
|
difficulty and danger, and his presence will more than supply every
|
|
one's absence.
|
|
|
|
(2.) When the Lord preserves his servants from great and imminent
|
|
danger, it is for eminent work and service. Paul was preserved that by
|
|
him the preaching might be fully known, &c.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Former deliverances should encourage future hopes.
|
|
|
|
(4.) There is a heavenly kingdom, to which the Lord will preserve his
|
|
faithful witnessing or suffering servants.
|
|
|
|
(5.) We ought to give God the glory of all past, present, and future
|
|
deliverances: <I>To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He sends salutations to <I>Aquila, and Priscilla, and the household
|
|
of Onesiphorus,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
He mentions his leaving <I>Trophimus sick at Miletum</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
by which it appears that though the apostles healed all manner of
|
|
diseases miraculously, for the confirmation of their doctrine, yet they
|
|
did not exert that power upon their own friends, lest it should have
|
|
looked like a collusion.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He hastens Timothy to <I>come to him before winter</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
because he longed to see him, and because in the winter the journey or
|
|
voyage would be more dangerous.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. He sends commendations to him from <I>Eubulus, Pudens, Linus,
|
|
Claudia,</I> and all the <I>brethren.</I> One of the heathen writers at
|
|
this time mentions one Pudens and his wife Claudia, and says the
|
|
Claudia was a Briton, whence some have gathered that it was this
|
|
Pudens, and that Claudia here was his wife, and that they were eminent
|
|
Christians at Rome.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. He concludes with a prayer, that the <I>Lord Jesus would be with his
|
|
spirit.</I> We need no more to make us happy than to have the Lord
|
|
Jesus Christ with our spirits; for in him all spiritual blessings are
|
|
summed up. And it is the best prayer we can put up for our friends,
|
|
that the Lord Jesus Christ may be with their spirits, to sanctify and
|
|
save them, and at last to receive them to himself; as Stephen the
|
|
proto-martyr prayed, <I>Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+7:59">Acts vii. 59</A>.
|
|
|
|
"Lord Jesus, receive that spirit which thou hast been with while it was
|
|
united to the body; do not now leave it in its separate state."
|
|
<I>Grace be with you. Amen.</I> This was our apostle's token in every
|
|
epistle; so he wrote. <I>The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
|
|
all. Amen,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:17,18">2 Thess. iii. 17, 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
And if grace be with us here to convert and change us, to make us holy,
|
|
to keep us humble, and to enable us to persevere to the end, glory will
|
|
crown us hereafter: <I>for the Lord is a sun, and a shield; the Lord
|
|
will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from
|
|
those that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that
|
|
trusteth in thee,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+84:11,12">Ps. lxxxiv. 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God
|
|
our Saviour, be honour and glory for ever and ever.</I> Amen.</P>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
|
|
|
<HR>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC55003.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
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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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</TABLE>
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<HR>
|
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
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<TR>
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