mh_parser/vol_split/55 - 2Timothy/Chapter 1.xml

<div2 id="iiTim.ii" n="ii" next="iiTim.iii" prev="iiTim.i" progress="70.29%" title="Chapter I">
<h2 id="iiTim.ii-p0.1">S E C O N D   T I M O T H Y.</h2>
<h3 id="iiTim.ii-p0.2">CHAP. I.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiTim.ii-p1">After the introduction (<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.1-2Tim.1.2" parsed="|2Tim|1|1|1|2" passage="2Ti 1:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>) we have, I. Paul's sincere love
to Timothy, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.3-2Tim.1.5" parsed="|2Tim|1|3|1|5" passage="2Ti 1:3-5">ver. 3-5</scripRef>. II.
Divers exhortations given to him, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.6-2Tim.1.14" parsed="|2Tim|1|6|1|14" passage="2Ti 1:6-14">ver. 6-14</scripRef>. III. He speaks of Phygellus and
Hermogenes, with others, and closes with Onesiphorus, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.15-2Tim.1.18" parsed="|2Tim|1|15|1|18" passage="2Ti 1:15-18">ver. 15, to the end</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiTim.ii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1" parsed="|2Tim|1|0|0|0" passage="2Ti 1" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiTim.ii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.1-2Tim.1.5" parsed="|2Tim|1|1|1|5" passage="2Ti 1:1-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Tim.1.1-2Tim.1.5">
<h4 id="iiTim.ii-p1.7">Introduction; Timothy's Faith and
Holiness. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiTim.ii-p1.8">a.
d.</span> 66.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiTim.ii-p2">1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will
of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
  2 To Timothy, <i>my</i> dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy,
<i>and</i> peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
  3 I thank God, whom I serve from <i>my</i> forefathers with
pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in
my prayers night and day;   4 Greatly desiring to see thee,
being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;   5
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee,
which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice;
and I am persuaded that in thee also.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p3">Here is, I. The inscription of the epistle
Paul calls himself <i>an apostle by the will of God,</i> merely by
the good pleasure of God, and by his grace, which he professes
himself unworthy of. <i>According to the promise of life which is
in Christ Jesus,</i> or according to the gospel. The gospel is the
promise of life in Christ Jesus; life is the end, and Christ the
way, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:John.14.6" parsed="|John|14|6|0|0" passage="Joh 14:6">John xiv. 6</scripRef>. The life
is put into the promise, and both are sure in Christ Jesus the
faithful witness; <i>for all the promises of God in Christ Jesus
are yea, and all amen,</i> <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.20" parsed="|2Cor|1|20|0|0" passage="2Co 1:20">2 Cor. i.
20</scripRef>. He calls Timothy his <i>beloved son.</i> Paul felt
the warmest affection for him both because he had been an
instrument of his conversion and because as a son with his father
he had served with him in the gospel. Observe, 1. Paul was an
apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God; as he did not receive
the gospel of man, nor was taught it, but had it by the revelation
of Jesus Christ (<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Gal.1.12" parsed="|Gal|1|12|0|0" passage="Ga 1:12">Gal. i.
12</scripRef>), so his commission to be an apostle was not by the
will of man, but of God: in the former epistle he says it was <i>by
the commandment of God our Saviour,</i> and here <i>by the will of
God.</i> God called him to be an apostle. 2. We have the promise of
life, blessed be God for it: <i>In hope of eternal life, which God,
who cannot lie, promised before the world began,</i> <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Titus.1.2" parsed="|Titus|1|2|0|0" passage="Tit 1:2">Tit. i. 2</scripRef>. It is a promise to discover
the freeness and certainty of it. 3. This, as well as all other
promises, is in and through Jesus Christ; they all take their rise
from the mercy of God in Christ, and they are sure, so that we may
safely depend on them. 4. The grace, mercy, and peace, which even
Paul's dearly beloved son Timothy wanted, comes from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord; and therefore the one as well as the
other is the giver of these blessings, and ought to be applied to
for them. 5. The best want these blessings, and they are the best
we can ask for our dearly-beloved friends, that they may have grace
to help them in the time of need, and mercy to pardon what is
amiss, and so may have peace with God the Father and Christ Jesus
our Lord.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p4">II. Paul's thanksgiving to God for
Timothy's faith and holiness: he thanks God that he remembered
Timothy in his prayers. Observe, Whatever good we do, and whatever
good office we perform for our friends, God must have the glory of
it, and we must give him thanks. It is he who puts it into our
hearts to remember such and such in our prayers. Paul was much in
prayer, he prayed night and day; in all his prayers he was mindful
of his friends, he particularly prayed for good ministers, he
prayed for Timothy, and <i>had remembrance of him in his prayers
night and day;</i> he did this without ceasing; prayer was his
constant business, and he never forgot his friends in his prayers,
as we often do. Paul served God from his forefathers with a pure
conscience. It was a comfort to him that he was born in God's
house, and was of the seed of those that served God; as likewise
that he had served him with a pure conscience, according to the
best of his light; he had kept a conscience void of offence, and
made it his daily exercise to do so, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.24.16" parsed="|Acts|24|16|0|0" passage="Ac 24:16">Acts xxiv. 16</scripRef>. <i>He greatly desired to see
Timothy,</i> out of the affection he had for him, that he might
have some conversation with him, <i>being mindful of his tears</i>
at their last parting. Timothy was sorry to part with Paul, he wept
at parting, and therefore Paul desired to see him again, because he
had perceived by that what a true affection he had for him. He
thanks God that Timothy kept up the religion of his ancestors,
<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.5" parsed="|2Tim|1|5|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Observe, The
entail of religion descended upon Timothy by the mother's side; he
had a good mother, and a good grandmother: they believed, though
his father did not, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.16.1" parsed="|Acts|16|1|0|0" passage="Ac 16:1">Acts xvi.
1</scripRef>. It is a comfortable thing when children imitate the
faith and holiness of their godly parents, and tread in their
steps, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:3John.1.4" parsed="|3John|1|4|0|0" passage="3Jo 1:4">3 John 4</scripRef>.—<i>Dwelt
in thy grandmother and thy mother, and I am persuaded that in thee
also.</i> Paul had a very charitable opinion of his friends, was
very willing to hope the best concerning them; indeed he had a
great deal of reason to believe well of Timothy, for he had <i>no
man like-minded,</i> <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.20" parsed="|Phil|2|20|0|0" passage="Php 2:20">Phil. ii.
20</scripRef>. Observe, 1. We are, according to St. Paul, to serve
God with a pure conscience, so did his and our pious forefathers;
this is to draw <i>near with a true heart, in full assurance of
faith, having our heart sprinkled from an evil conscience,</i>
<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Heb.10.22" parsed="|Heb|10|22|0|0" passage="Heb 10:22">Heb. x. 22</scripRef>. 2. In our
prayers we are to remember without ceasing our friends, especially
the faithful ministers of Christ. Paul had remembrance of his
dearly beloved son Timothy in his prayers night and day. 3. The
faith that dwells in real believers is unfeigned; it is without
hypocrisy, it is a faith that will stand the trial, and it dwells
in them as a living principle. It was the matter of Paul's
thanksgiving that Timothy inherited the faith of his mother Eunice
and his grandmother Lois, and ought to be ours whenever we see the
like; we should rejoice wherever we see the grace of God; so did
Barnabas, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p4.7" osisRef="Bible:Acts.11.23-Acts.11.24" parsed="|Acts|11|23|11|24" passage="Ac 11:23,24">Acts xi. 23,
24</scripRef>. <i>I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children
walking in the truth,</i> <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p4.8" osisRef="Bible:2John.1.4" parsed="|2John|1|4|0|0" passage="2Jo 1:4">2 John
4</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiTim.ii-p4.9" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.6-2Tim.1.14" parsed="|2Tim|1|6|1|14" passage="2Ti 1:6-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Tim.1.6-2Tim.1.14">
<h4 id="iiTim.ii-p4.10">Cautions and Exhortations; Ministerial
Fidelity. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiTim.ii-p4.11">a.
d.</span> 66.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiTim.ii-p5">6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou
stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my
hands.   7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but
of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.   8 Be not thou
therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his
prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel
according to the power of God;   9 Who hath saved us, and
called <i>us</i> with a holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in
Christ Jesus before the world began,   10 But is now made
manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath
abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light
through the gospel:   11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher,
and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.   12 For the
which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not
ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he
is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that
day.   13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast
heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.   14
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy
Ghost which dwelleth in us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p6">Here is an exhortation and excitation of
Timothy to his duty (<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.6" parsed="|2Tim|1|6|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>): <i>I put thee in remembrance.</i> The best men need
remembrancers; what we know we should be reminded of. <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.3.1" parsed="|2Pet|3|1|0|0" passage="2Pe 3:1">2 Pet. iii. 1</scripRef>, I write this, <i>to
stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p7">I. He exhorts him to stir <i>up the gift of
God</i> that was <i>in him.</i> Stir it up as fire under the
embers. It is meant of all the gifts and graces the God had given
him, to qualify him for the work of an evangelist, the gifts of the
Holy Ghost, the extraordinary gifts that were conferred by the
imposition of the apostle's hands. These he must stir up; he must
exercise them and so increase them: use gifts and have gifts. <i>To
him that hath shall be given,</i> <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.25.29" parsed="|Matt|25|29|0|0" passage="Mt 25:29">Matt. xxv. 29</scripRef>. He must take all opportunities
to use these gifts, and so stir them up, for that is the best way
of increasing them. Whether the gift of God in Timothy was ordinary
or extraordinary (though I incline to the latter), he must stir it
up, otherwise it would decay. Further, you see that this gift was
in him by the putting on of the apostle's hands, which I take to be
distinct from his ordination, for that was performed by the hands
of the presbytery, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.4.14" parsed="|1Tim|4|14|0|0" passage="1Ti 4:14">1 Tim. iv.
14</scripRef>. It is probable that Timothy had the Holy Ghost, in
his extraordinary gifts and graces, conferred on him by the laying
on of the apostle's hands (for I reckon that none but the apostles
had the power of giving the Holy Ghost), and afterwards, being thus
richly furnished for the work of the ministry, was ordained by the
presbytery. Observe, 1. The great hindrance of usefulness in the
increase of our gifts is slavish fear. Paul therefore warns Timothy
against this: <i>God hath not given us the spirit of fear,</i>
<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.7" parsed="|2Tim|1|7|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. It was through
base fear that the evil servant buried his talent, and did not
trade with it, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.25.25" parsed="|Matt|25|25|0|0" passage="Mt 25:25">Matt. xxv.
25</scripRef>. Now God hath therefore armed us against the spirit
of fear, by often bidding us fear not. "Fear not the face of man;
fear not the dangers you may meet with in the way of your duty."
God hath delivered us from the spirit of fear, and hath given us
the spirit <i>of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.</i> The
spirit of power, or of courage and resolution to encounter
difficulties and dangers;—the spirit of love to God, which will
carry us through the opposition we may meet with, as Jacob made
nothing of the hard service he was to endure for Rachel: the spirit
of love to God will set us above the fear of man, and all the hurt
that a man can do us;—and the spirit of a sound mind, or quietness
of mind, a peaceable enjoyment of ourselves, for we are oftentimes
discouraged in our way and work by the creatures o our own fancy
and imagination, which a sober, solid, thinking mind would obviate,
and would easily answer. 2. The spirit God gives to his ministers
is not a fearful, but a courageous spirit; it is a spirit of power,
for they speak in his name who has all power, both in heaven and
earth; and it is a spirit of love, for love to God and the souls of
men must inflame ministers in all their service; and it is a spirit
of a sound mind, for they speak the words of truth and
soberness.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p8">II. He exhorts him to count upon
afflictions, and get ready for them: "<i>Be not thou therefore
ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner.</i>
Be not thou ashamed of the gospel, of the testimony thou hast borne
to it." Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p9">1. The gospel of Christ is what we have
none of us reason to be ashamed of. We must not be ashamed of those
who are suffering for the gospel of Christ. Timothy must not be
ashamed of good old Paul, though he was now in bonds. As he must
not himself be afraid of suffering, so he must not be afraid of
owning those who were sufferers for the cause of Christ. (1.) The
gospel is the testimony of our Lord; in and by this he bears
testimony of himself to us, and by professing our adherence to it
we bear testimony of him and for him. (2.) Paul was the Lord's
prisoner, his prisoner, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Eph.4.1" parsed="|Eph|4|1|0|0" passage="Eph 4:1">Eph. iv.
1</scripRef>. For his sake he was bound with a chain. (3.) We have
no reason to be ashamed either of the testimony of our Lord or of
his prisoners; if we are ashamed of either now, Christ will be
ashamed of us hereafter. "<i>But be thou partaker of the
afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God,</i> that
is, expect afflictions for the gospel's sake, prepare for them,
count upon them, be willing to take thy lot with the suffering
saints in this world. <i>Be partaker of the afflictions of the
gospel;</i>" or, as it may be read, <i>Do thou suffer with the
gospel;</i> "not only sympathize with those who suffer for it, but
be ready to suffer with them and suffer like them." If at any time
the gospel be in distress, he who hopes for life and salvation by
it will be content to suffer with it. Observe, [1.] Then we are
likely to bear afflictions as well, when we fetch strength and
power from God to enable us to bear them: <i>Be thou partaker of
the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God.</i>
[2.] All Christians, but especially ministers, must expect
afflictions and persecutions for the sake of the gospel. [3.] These
shall be proportioned, according to the power of God (<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.10.13" parsed="|1Cor|10|13|0|0" passage="1Co 10:13">1 Cor. x. 13</scripRef>) resting upon us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p10">2. Mentioning God and the gospel, he takes
notice what great things God has done for us by the gospel,
<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.9-2Tim.1.10" parsed="|2Tim|1|9|1|10" passage="2Ti 1:9,10"><i>v.</i> 9, 10</scripRef>. To
encourage him to suffer, he urges two considerations:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p11">(1.) The nature of that gospel which he was
called to suffer for, and the glorious and gracious designs and
purposes of it. It is usual with Paul, when he mentions Christ, and
the gospel of Christ, to digress from his subject, and enlarge upon
them; so full was he of that which is all our salvation, and ought
to be all our desire. Observe, [1.] The gospel aims at our
salvation: <i>He has saved us,</i> and we must not think much to
suffer for that which we hope to be saved by. He has begun to save
us, and will complete it in due time; for God calls those things
that are not (that are not yet completed) as though they were
(<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.4.17" parsed="|Rom|4|17|0|0" passage="Ro 4:17">Rom. iv. 17</scripRef>); therefore he
says, who <i>has</i> saved us. [2.] It is designed for our
sanctification: <i>And called us with a holy calling,</i> called us
to holiness. Christianity is a calling, a holy calling; it is the
calling wherewith we are called, the calling to which we are
called, to labour in it. Observe, All who shall be saved hereafter
are sanctified now. Wherever the call of the gospel is an effectual
call, it is found to be a holy call, making those holy who are
effectually called. [3.] The origin of it is the free grace and
eternal purpose of God in Christ Jesus. If we had merited it, it
had been hard to suffer for it; but our salvation by it is of free
grace, and not according to our works, and therefore we must not
think much to suffer for it. This grace is said to be given us
<i>before the world began,</i> that is, in the purpose and designs
of God from all eternity; <i>in Christ Jesus,</i> for all the gifts
that come from God to sinful man come in and through Christ Jesus.
[4.] The gospel is the manifestation of this purpose and grace:
<i>By the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ,</i> who had lain
in the bosom of the Father from eternity, and was perfectly
apprised of all his gracious purposes. By his appearing this
gracious purpose was made manifest to us. Did Jesus Christ suffer
for it, and shall we think much to suffer for it? [5.] By the
gospel of Christ death is abolished: <i>He has abolished death,</i>
not only weakened it, but taken it out of the way, has broken the
power of death over us; by taking away sin he has abolished death
(for the sting of death is sin, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.56" parsed="|1Cor|15|56|0|0" passage="1Co 15:56">1
Cor. xv. 56</scripRef>), in altering the property of it, and
breaking the power of it. Death now of an enemy has become a
friend; it is the gate by which we pass out of a troublesome,
vexatious, sinful world, into a world of perfect peace and purity;
and the power thereof is broken, for death does not triumph over
those who believe the gospel, but they triumph over it. <i>O death!
where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory?</i> <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.55" parsed="|1Cor|15|55|0|0" passage="1Co 15:55">1 Cor. xv. 55</scripRef>. [6.] He has
<i>brought life and immortality to light by the gospel;</i> he has
shown us another world more clearly than it was before discovered
under any former dispensation, and the happiness of that world, the
certain recompence of our obedience by faith: we all with open
face, as in a glass, behold the glory of God. He has brought it to
light, not only set it before us, but offered it to us, by the
gospel. Let us value the gospel more than ever, as it is that
whereby life and immortality are brought to light, for herein it
has the pre-eminence above all former discoveries; so that it is
the gospel of life and immortality, as it discovers them to us, and
directs us in the ready way that leads thereto, as well as proposes
the most weighty motives to excite our endeavours in seeking after
glory, honour, and immortality.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p12">(2.) Consider the example of blessed Paul,
<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.11-2Tim.1.12" parsed="|2Tim|1|11|1|12" passage="2Ti 1:11,12"><i>v.</i> 11, 12</scripRef>. He was
appointed to preach the gospel, and particularly appointed to teach
the Gentiles. He though it a cause worth suffering for, and why
should not Timothy think so too? No man needs to be afraid nor
ashamed to suffer for the cause of the gospel: <i>I am not
ashamed,</i> says Paul, <i>for I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto
him against that day.</i> Observe, [1.] Good men often suffer many
things for the best cause in the world: <i>For which cause I suffer
these things;</i> that is, "for my preaching, and adhering to the
gospel." [2.] They need not be ashamed, the cause will bear them
out; but those who oppose it shall be clothed with shame. [3.]
Those who trust in Christ know whom they have trusted. The apostle
speaks with a holy triumph and exultation, as much as to say, "I
stand on firm ground. I know I have lodged the great trust in the
hands of the best trustee." <i>And am persuaded,</i> &amp;c. What
must we commit to Christ? The salvation of our souls, and their
preservation to the heavenly kingdom; and what we so commit to him
he will keep. There is a day coming when our souls will be enquired
after: "Man! Woman! thou hadst a soul committed to thee, what hast
thou done with it? To whom it was offered, to God or Satan? How was
it employed, in the service of sin or in the service of Christ?"
There is a day coming, and it will be a very solemn and awful day,
when we must give an account of our stewardship (<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.16.2" parsed="|Luke|16|2|0|0" passage="Lu 16:2">Luke xvi. 2</scripRef>), give an account of our souls:
now, if by an active obedient faith we commit it to Jesus Christ,
we may be sure he is able to keep it, and it shall be forthcoming
to our comfort in that day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p13">III. He exhorts him to <i>hold fast the
form of sound words,</i> <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.13" parsed="|2Tim|1|13|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>. 1. "<i>Have</i> a form of sound words" (so it may be
read), "a short form, a catechism, an abstract of the first
principles of religion, according to the scriptures, a scheme of
sound words, a brief summary of the Christian faith, in a proper
method, drawn out by thyself from the holy scriptures for thy own
use;" or, rather, by the form of sound words I understand the holy
scriptures themselves. 2. "Having it, <i>hold it fast,</i> remember
it, retain it, adhere to it. Adhere to it in opposition to all
heresies and false doctrine, which corrupt the Christian faith.
Hold that fast <i>which thou hast heard of me.</i>" Paul was
divinely inspired. It is good to adhere to those forms of sound
words which we have in the scriptures; for these, we are sure, were
divinely inspired. That is sound speech, which cannot be condemned,
<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Titus.2.8" parsed="|Titus|2|8|0|0" passage="Tit 2:8">Tit. ii. 8</scripRef>. But how must it
be held fast? <i>In faith and love;</i> that is, we must assent to
it as <i>a faithful saying,</i> and bid it welcome as <i>worthy of
all acceptation.</i> Hold it fast in a good heart, this is the ark
of the covenant, in which the tables both of law and gospel are
most safely and profitably deposited, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.11" parsed="|Ps|119|11|0|0" passage="Ps 119:11">Ps. cxix. 11</scripRef>. Faith and love must go
together; it is not enough to believe the sound words, and to give
an assent to them, but we must love them, believe their truth and
love their goodness, and we must propagate the form of sound words
in love; speaking the truth in love, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.4.15" parsed="|Eph|4|15|0|0" passage="Eph 4:15">Eph. iv. 15</scripRef>. <i>Faith and love which are in
Christ Jesus;</i> it must be Christian faith and love, faith and
love fastening upon Jesus Christ, in and by whom God speaks to us
and we to him. Timothy, as a minister, must <i>hold fast the form
of sound words,</i> for the benefit of others. <i>Of healing
words,</i> so it may read; there is healing virtue in the word of
God; <i>he sent his word, and healed them.</i> To the same purport
is that (<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.14" parsed="|2Tim|1|14|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>),
<i>That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy
Ghost, which dwelleth in us.</i> That good thing was the form of
sound words, the Christian doctrine, which was committed to Timothy
in his baptism and education as he was a Christian, and in his
ordination as he was a minister. Observe, (1.) The Christian
doctrine is a trust committed to us. It is committed to Christians
in general, but to ministers in particular. It is a good thing, of
unspeakable value in itself, and which will be of unspeakable
advantage to us; it is a good thing indeed, it is an inestimable
jewel, for it discovers to us the unsearchable riches of Christ,
<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.8" parsed="|Eph|3|8|0|0" passage="Eph 3:8">Eph. iii. 8</scripRef>. It is committed
to us to be preserved pure and entire, and to be transmitted to
those who shall come after us, and we must keep it, and not
contribute any thing to the corrupting of its purity, the weakening
of its power, or the diminishing of its perfection: <i>Keep it by
the Holy Ghost that dwelleth in us.</i> Observe, Even those who are
ever so well taught cannot keep what they have learned, any more
than they could at first learn it, without the assistance of the
Holy Spirit. We must not think to keep it by our own strength, but
keep it by the Holy Ghost. (2.) The Holy Ghost dwells in all good
ministers and Christians; they are his temples, and he enables them
to keep the gospel pure and uncorrupt; and yet they must use their
best endeavours to keep this good thing, for the assistance and
indwelling of the Holy Ghost do not exclude men's endeavours, but
they very well consist together.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiTim.ii-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.15-2Tim.1.18" parsed="|2Tim|1|15|1|18" passage="2Ti 1:15-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Tim.1.15-2Tim.1.18">
<h4 id="iiTim.ii-p13.8">Ministerial Fortitude. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiTim.ii-p13.9">a.
d.</span> 66.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiTim.ii-p14">15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in
Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
  16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he
oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:   17 But,
when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found
<i>me.</i>   18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy
of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto
me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p15">Having (<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.13-2Tim.1.14" parsed="|2Tim|1|13|1|14" passage="2Ti 1:13,14"><i>v.</i> 13, 14</scripRef>) exhorted Timothy to hold
fast,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p16">I. He mentions the apostasy of many from
the doctrine of Christ, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.15" parsed="|2Tim|1|15|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. It seems, in the best and purest ages of the church,
there were those that had embraced the Christian faith, and yet
afterwards revolted from it, nay, there were many such. He does not
say that they had turned away from the doctrine of Christ (though
it should seem they had) but they had turned away from him, they
had turned their backs upon him, and disowned him in the time of
his distress. And should we wonder at it, when many turned their
backs on a much better than Paul? I mean the Lord Jesus Christ,
<scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:John.6.66" parsed="|John|6|66|0|0" passage="Joh 6:66">John vi. 66</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p17">II. He mentions the constancy of one that
adhered to him, namely, Onesiphorus: <i>For he often refreshed me,
and was not ashamed of my chain,</i> <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.16" parsed="|2Tim|1|16|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. Observe, 1. What kindness
Onesiphorus had shown to Paul: he refreshed him, he often refreshed
him with his letters, and counsels, and comforts, and he was not
ashamed of his chains. He was not ashamed of him, not withstanding
the disgrace he was now under. He was kind to him not once or
twice, but often; not only when he was at Ephesus among his own
friends, but when Onesiphorus was at Rome; he took care to seek
Paul <i>out very diligently, and found him,</i> <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.17" parsed="|2Tim|1|17|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. Observe, A good man will seek
opportunities of doing good, and will not shun any that offer. At
Ephesus he had ministered to him, and been very kind to him:
Timothy knew it. 2. How Paul returns his kindness, <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.16-2Tim.1.18" parsed="|2Tim|1|16|1|18" passage="2Ti 1:16-18"><i>v.</i> 16-18</scripRef>. He that receives
a prophet shall have a prophet's reward. He repays him with his
prayers: <i>The Lord give mercy to Onesiphorus.</i> It is probable
that Onesiphorus was now absent from home, and in company with
Paul; Paul therefore prays that his house might be kept during his
absence. Though the papists will have it that he was now dead; and,
from Paul's praying for him that he might find mercy, they conclude
the warrantableness of praying for the dead; but who told them that
Onesiphorus was dead? And can it be safe to ground a doctrine and
practice of such importance on a mere supposition and very great
uncertainty?</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTim.ii-p18">III. He prays for Onesiphorus himself, as
well as for his house: <i>That he may find mercy in that day,</i>
in the day of death and of judgment, when Christ will account all
the good offices done to his poor members as done to himself.
Observe, 1. The day of death and judgment is an awful day, and may
be emphatically called <i>that day.</i> 2. We need desire no more
to make us happy than to find mercy of the Lord in that day, when
those that have shown no mercy will have judgment without mercy. 3.
The best Christians will want mercy in that day; <i>looking for the
mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ,</i> <scripRef id="iiTim.ii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Jude.1.21" parsed="|Jude|1|21|0|0" passage="Jude 1:21">Jude 21</scripRef>. 4. If you would have mercy then,
you must seek for it now of the Lord. 5. It is of and from the Lord
that we must have mercy; for, unless the Lord has mercy on us, in
vain will be the pity and compassion of men or angels. 6. We are to
seek and ask for mercy of the Lord, who is the giver and bestower
of it; for the Lord Jesus Christ has satisfied justice, that mercy
might be displayed. We are to come to a throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need. 7.
The best thing we can seek, either for ourselves or our friends, is
that the Lord will grant to them that they may find mercy of the
Lord in that day, when they must pass our of time into eternity,
and exchange this world for the other, and appear before the
judgment-seat of Christ: the Lord then grant unto all of us that we
may find mercy of the Lord in that day.</p>
</div></div2>