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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<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. I.</FONT>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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After the introduction
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>)
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we have,
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I. Paul's sincere love to Timothy,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:3-5">ver. 3-5</A>.
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II. Divers exhortations given to him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:6-14">ver. 6-14</A>.
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III. He speaks of Phygellus and Hermogenes, with others, and closes
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with Onesiphorus,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:15-18">ver. 15, to the end</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_5"> </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>Introduction; Timothy's Faith and Holiness.</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 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
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according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
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2 To Timothy, <I>my</I> dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, <I>and</I>
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peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
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3 I thank God, whom I serve from <I>my</I> forefathers with pure
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conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my
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prayers night and day;
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4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears,
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that I may be filled with joy;
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5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in
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thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother
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Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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I. The inscription of the epistle Paul calls himself <I>an apostle by
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the will of God,</I> merely by the good pleasure of God, and by his
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grace, which he professes himself unworthy of. <I>According to the
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promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,</I> or according to the
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gospel. The gospel is the promise of life in Christ Jesus; life is the
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end, and Christ the way,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:6">John xiv. 6</A>.
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The life is put into the promise, and both are sure in Christ Jesus the
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faithful witness; <I>for all the promises of God in Christ Jesus are
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yea, and all amen,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:20">2 Cor. i. 20</A>.
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He calls Timothy his <I>beloved son.</I> Paul felt the warmest
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affection for him both because he had been an instrument of his
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conversion and because as a son with his father he had served with him
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in the gospel. Observe,
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1. Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God; as he did
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not receive the gospel of man, nor was taught it, but had it by the
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revelation of Jesus Christ
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+1:12">Gal. i. 12</A>),
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so his commission to be an apostle was not by the will of man, but of
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God: in the former epistle he says it was <I>by the commandment of God
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our Saviour,</I> and here <I>by the will of God.</I> God called him to
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be an apostle.
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2. We have the promise of life, blessed be God for it: <I>In hope of
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eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world
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began,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+1:2">Tit. i. 2</A>.
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It is a promise to discover the freeness and certainty of it.
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3. This, as well as all other promises, is in and through Jesus Christ;
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they all take their rise from the mercy of God in Christ, and they are
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sure, so that we may safely depend on them.
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4. The grace, mercy, and peace, which even Paul's dearly beloved son
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Timothy wanted, comes from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord;
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and therefore the one as well as the other is the giver of these
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blessings, and ought to be applied to for them.
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5. The best want these blessings, and they are the best we can ask for
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our dearly-beloved friends, that they may have grace to help them in
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the time of need, and mercy to pardon what is amiss, and so may have
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peace with God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.</P>
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<P>
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II. Paul's thanksgiving to God for Timothy's faith and holiness: he
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thanks God that he remembered Timothy in his prayers. Observe, Whatever
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good we do, and whatever good office we perform for our friends, God
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must have the glory of it, and we must give him thanks. It is he who
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puts it into our hearts to remember such and such in our prayers. Paul
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was much in prayer, he prayed night and day; in all his prayers he was
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mindful of his friends, he particularly prayed for good ministers, he
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prayed for Timothy, and <I>had remembrance of him in his prayers night
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and day;</I> he did this without ceasing; prayer was his constant
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business, and he never forgot his friends in his prayers, as we often
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do. Paul served God from his forefathers with a pure conscience. It
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was a comfort to him that he was born in God's house, and was of the
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seed of those that served God; as likewise that he had served him with
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a pure conscience, according to the best of his light; he had kept a
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conscience void of offence, and made it his daily exercise to do so,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+24:16">Acts xxiv. 16</A>.
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<I>He greatly desired to see Timothy,</I> out of the affection he had
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for him, that he might have some conversation with him, <I>being
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mindful of his tears</I> at their last parting. Timothy was sorry to
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part with Paul, he wept at parting, and therefore Paul desired to see
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him again, because he had perceived by that what a true affection he
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had for him. He thanks God that Timothy kept up the religion of his
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ancestors,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Observe, The entail of religion descended upon Timothy by the mother's
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side; he had a good mother, and a good grandmother: they believed,
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though his father did not,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+16:1">Acts xvi. 1</A>.
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It is a comfortable thing when children imitate the faith and holiness
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of their godly parents, and tread in their steps,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:4">3 John 4</A>.--
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<I>Dwelt in thy grandmother and thy mother, and I am persuaded that in
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thee also.</I> Paul had a very charitable opinion of his friends, was
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very willing to hope the best concerning them; indeed he had a great
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deal of reason to believe well of Timothy, for he had <I>no man
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like-minded,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:20">Phil. ii. 20</A>.
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Observe,
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1. We are, according to St. Paul, to serve God with a pure conscience,
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so did his and our pious forefathers; this is to draw <I>near with a
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true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our heart sprinkled from
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an evil conscience,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:22">Heb. x. 22</A>.
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2. In our prayers we are to remember without ceasing our friends,
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especially the faithful ministers of Christ. Paul had remembrance of
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his dearly beloved son Timothy in his prayers night and day.
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3. The faith that dwells in real believers is unfeigned; it is without
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hypocrisy, it is a faith that will stand the trial, and it dwells in
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them as a living principle. It was the matter of Paul's thanksgiving
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that Timothy inherited the faith of his mother Eunice and his
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grandmother Lois, and ought to be ours whenever we see the like; we
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should rejoice wherever we see the grace of God; so did Barnabas,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+11:23,24">Acts xi. 23, 24</A>.
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<I>I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in the
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truth,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:4">2 John 4</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ti1_14"> </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>Cautions and Exhortations; Ministerial Fidelity.</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>6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the
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gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
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7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,
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and of love, and of a sound mind.
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8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,
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nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions
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of the gospel according to the power of God;
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9 Who hath saved us, and called <I>us</I> with a holy calling, not
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according to our works, but according to his own purpose and
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grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
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10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour
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Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and
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immortality to light through the gospel:
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11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a
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teacher of the Gentiles.
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12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless
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I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am
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persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed
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unto him against that day.
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13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of
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me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
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14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the
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Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is an exhortation and excitation of Timothy to his duty
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
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<I>I put thee in remembrance.</I> The best men need remembrancers; what
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we know we should be reminded of.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:1">2 Pet. iii. 1</A>,
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I write this, <I>to stir up your pure minds by way of
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remembrance.</I></P>
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<P>
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I. He exhorts him to stir <I>up the gift of God</I> that was <I>in
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him.</I> Stir it up as fire under the embers. It is meant of all the
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gifts and graces the God had given him, to qualify him for the work of
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an evangelist, the gifts of the Holy Ghost, the extraordinary gifts
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that were conferred by the imposition of the apostle's hands. These he
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must stir up; he must exercise them and so increase them: use gifts and
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have gifts. <I>To him that hath shall be given,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:29">Matt. xxv. 29</A>.
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He must take all opportunities to use these gifts, and so stir them up,
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for that is the best way of increasing them. Whether the gift of God in
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Timothy was ordinary or extraordinary (though I incline to the latter),
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he must stir it up, otherwise it would decay. Further, you see that
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this gift was in him by the putting on of the apostle's hands, which I
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take to be distinct from his ordination, for that was performed by the
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hands of the presbytery,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+4:14">1 Tim. iv. 14</A>.
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It is probable that Timothy had the Holy Ghost, in his extraordinary
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gifts and graces, conferred on him by the laying on of the apostle's
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hands (for I reckon that none but the apostles had the power of giving
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the Holy Ghost), and afterwards, being thus richly furnished for the
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work of the ministry, was ordained by the presbytery. Observe,
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1. The great hindrance of usefulness in the increase of our gifts is
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slavish fear. Paul therefore warns Timothy against this: <I>God hath
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not given us the spirit of fear,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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It was through base fear that the evil servant buried his talent, and
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did not trade with it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:25">Matt. xxv. 25</A>.
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Now God hath therefore armed us against the spirit of fear, by often
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bidding us fear not. "Fear not the face of man; fear not the dangers
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you may meet with in the way of your duty." God hath delivered us from
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the spirit of fear, and hath given us the spirit <I>of power, and of
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love, and of a sound mind.</I> The spirit of power, or of courage and
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resolution to encounter difficulties and dangers;--the spirit of love
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to God, which will carry us through the opposition we may meet with, as
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Jacob made nothing of the hard service he was to endure for Rachel: the
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spirit of love to God will set us above the fear of man, and all the
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hurt that a man can do us;--and the spirit of a sound mind, or
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quietness of mind, a peaceable enjoyment of ourselves, for we are
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oftentimes discouraged in our way and work by the creatures o our own
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fancy and imagination, which a sober, solid, thinking mind would
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obviate, and would easily answer.
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2. The spirit God gives to his ministers is not a fearful, but a
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courageous spirit; it is a spirit of power, for they speak in his name
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who has all power, both in heaven and earth; and it is a spirit of
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love, for love to God and the souls of men must inflame ministers in
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all their service; and it is a spirit of a sound mind, for they speak
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the words of truth and soberness.</P>
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<P>
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II. He exhorts him to count upon afflictions, and get ready for them:
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"<I>Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of
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me his prisoner.</I> Be not thou ashamed of the gospel, of the
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testimony thou hast borne to it." Observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. The gospel of Christ is what we have none of us reason to be ashamed
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of. We must not be ashamed of those who are suffering for the gospel of
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Christ. Timothy must not be ashamed of good old Paul, though he was now
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in bonds. As he must not himself be afraid of suffering, so he must not
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be afraid of owning those who were sufferers for the cause of Christ.
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(1.) The gospel is the testimony of our Lord; in and by this he bears
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testimony of himself to us, and by professing our adherence to it we
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bear testimony of him and for him.
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(2.) Paul was the Lord's prisoner, his prisoner,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:1">Eph. iv. 1</A>.
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For his sake he was bound with a chain.
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(3.) We have no reason to be ashamed either of the testimony of our
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Lord or of his prisoners; if we are ashamed of either now, Christ will
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be ashamed of us hereafter. "<I>But be thou partaker of the
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afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God,</I> that is,
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expect afflictions for the gospel's sake, prepare for them, count upon
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them, be willing to take thy lot with the suffering saints in this
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world. <I>Be partaker of the afflictions of the gospel;</I>" or, as it
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may be read, <I>Do thou suffer with the gospel;</I> "not only
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sympathize with those who suffer for it, but be ready to suffer with
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them and suffer like them." If at any time the gospel be in distress,
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he who hopes for life and salvation by it will be content to suffer
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with it. Observe,
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[1.] Then we are likely to bear afflictions as well, when we fetch
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strength and power from God to enable us to bear them: <I>Be thou
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partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of
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God.</I>
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[2.] All Christians, but especially ministers, must expect afflictions
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and persecutions for the sake of the gospel.
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[3.] These shall be proportioned, according to the power of God
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+10:13">1 Cor. x. 13</A>)
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resting upon us.</P>
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<P>
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2. Mentioning God and the gospel, he takes notice what great things God
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has done for us by the gospel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>.
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To encourage him to suffer, he urges two considerations:--</P>
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<P>
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(1.) The nature of that gospel which he was called to suffer for, and
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the glorious and gracious designs and purposes of it. It is usual with
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Paul, when he mentions Christ, and the gospel of Christ, to digress
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from his subject, and enlarge upon them; so full was he of that which
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is all our salvation, and ought to be all our desire. Observe,
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[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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+4:17">Rom. iv. 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:56">1 Cor. xv. 56</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:55">1 Cor. xv. 55</A>.
|
|
|
|
[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>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Consider the example of blessed Paul,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
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> &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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+16:2">Luke xvi. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
III. He exhorts him to <I>hold fast the form of sound words,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+2:8">Tit. ii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:11">Ps. cxix. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:15">Eph. iv. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
<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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
<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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:8">Eph. iii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti1_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti1_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti1_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ti1_18"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Ministerial Fortitude.</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>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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Having
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>)
|
|
|
|
exhorted Timothy to hold fast,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He mentions the apostasy of many from the doctrine of Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+6:66">John vi. 66</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:16-18"><I>v.</I> 16-18</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:21">Jude 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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