查經資料大全

 

| Back to Home Page | Back to Book Index |

 

2 Timothy Chapter One

 

2 Timothy 1

The Second Epistle to Timothy has a very peculiar character. It is the expression of his heart who out side Palestine had under God founded and built the assembly of God on earth and it was written in sight of its failure and its departure from the principles on which he had established it. God remained faithful; His foundation was sure and immovable; but the work committed into the hands of men was already enfeebled and decaying. The consciousness of this state of things which moreover betrayed itself in the way in which the apostle himself was then forsaken oppressed his heart; and he pours it out into the bosom of his faithful Timothy. By this means the Spirit instructs us in the solemn truth that the church has not kept its first estate and sets before us the ways of safety for those who seek God and desire to please Him in such a state of things as this.

The apostle John gives the history of the fall of the assembly here below and of its judgment and that of the world likewise. He also sets before us a life which apart from all questions of the assembly's condition abides ever the same which renders us capable of enjoying God and makes us resemble Him in His nature and character.

As a witness John was to remain until the Lord came: but Paul sees for himself the ruin of that which he had built and watched over so faithfully. He had spent himself for the assembly accomplishing that which was behind of the sufferings of Christ; and he had to see that which he had so much loved (which he had cared for even as a mother cherishes her nursling which he had planted as God's plant on the earth) grow feeble as to its condition and testimony in the world depart from the source of strength and become corrupt. What a painful experience! But it is that of the servant of God in all ages and in all dispensations. He sees indeed the power of God acting to plant the testimony on earth but he sees that men soon fail in it. The house inhabited by the Holy Ghost becomes dilapidated and in disorder. Nevertheless (and we love to repeat it with the apostle) the sure foundation of the Lord abides for ever. Whatever may be the condition of the whole company the individual is always to depart from all iniquity and to maintain by himself if need be the true testimony of the name of the Lord. This can never fail the faithful soul.

In view of the mixture and confusion which began to shew itself in the assembly the apostle's comfort was founded on these two principles while remembering and joyfully availing himself of the communion and faithfulness of some precious souls. He had such as Timothy and Onesiphorus amid the afflictions of the gospel and the sorrow of being forsaken by so many who were seals to his testimony before the Lord.

The apostle begins by taking the ground of grace and of individual life-which never changes in essential character-outside church privileges. Not that these had changed; but he could no longer connect them with the general body on earth. He calls himself here an apostle according to the promise of eternal life which is in Christ Jesus. It is not merely the Messiah it is not the head of the body it is the promise of life which is in Him.

Paul addresses his dearly beloved son Timothy whose affection he remembers. He desired greatly to see him being mindful of his tears shed probably at the time when Paul was made prisoner or when he was separated from him on that occasion or when he heard of it. It is the confidence of a friend that is speaking to one whose heart he knew. We see something of this but in the perfection that was peculiar to Himself in Jesus on the cross in that which He said to John and to His mother. A similar form would have been unsuitable in Paul. The affections of men shew themselves in and by their wants the wants of their hearts; those of the Lord by His condescension. With Him all is in itself perfect. With us it is only by grace that all is in its right place. But when separation to service in power which knows but that is over nature according to God has its right place. In the consecrated meat offering that was to be made with fire honey had no place.

Verse 3. The apostle does not speak any longer of the high character of his work but of his personal position rightly felt according to the Spirit. He had served God following in the steps of his forefathers with a pure conscience. In every way he was a vessel made unto honour. For more than one generation his ancestors were distinguished for a good conscience; and personal piety founded on the truth shewed itself in the service of God. Paul was not here e# pressing a judgment as to the inward condition of each generation: it was their character. He calls to mind a similar fact with regard to Timothy in whose case however personal faith is referred to known to Paul himself so that the bond though of personal feeling was christian. [1] Judaism as to its outward obligations is totally absent; for the father of Timothy was a Greek and the marriage of his Jewish mother was unclean according to the law and would have rendered Timothy also unclean and deprived him of Jewish rights; and in fact he had not been circumcised when an infant. Paul did it which was also not according to the law unless Timothy had become a proselyte. Both heathens and their children were excluded as we read in Nehemiah. Paul's act was above the law. Here he takes no notice of it; he leaves the Gentile father out of sight and speaks only of the personal unfeigned faith of Timothy's mother and grandmother and that of his beloved disciple himself.

The state of the assembly was only an additional occasion for the exercise of his faith and for his zealous activity of heart and courage. Difficulties and dangers multiplied on every hand; the unfaithfulness of Christians was added to all the rest. But God is none the less with His people. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind so that the Lord's labourer the man of God he who kept himself in communion with God in order to represent Him on the earth was to stir up the gift that was in him and (as the apostle expresses it with admirable and touching force and clearness) to endure the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. Here in the case of Timothy the apostle could make mention of a special gift of the Spirit which had been conferred upon Timothy through the laying on of hands. In the First Epistle he had spoken of the prophecy which had called him or pointed him out for the possession of this gift and told us that it had been accompanied by the laying on of the hands of the elders; here he tells us that the laying on of his own hands was the means of bestowing it upon him.

The apostle reminds him of this proof of power and reality in his ministry (and in that of Paul himself) in view of this period when its exercise was more difficult. When all is prosperous and the progress of the gospel is remarkable so that even the world is struck with it the work is found to be easy in spite of difficulties and opposition; and-such is man-even in consequence of this opposition one is bold and persevering. But when others Christians even forsake the labourer when evil and the deceptions of the enemy come in when love has grown cold and because one is faithful prudence takes alarm and desires a less forward walk to stand firm in circumstances like these to persevere in the work and maintain one's courage is not an easy thing. We must possess Christianity with God so that we know why we stand fast: we must be ourselves in communion with Him in order to have the strength necessary to continue laboring in His name and the sustainment of His grace at all times.

God then has given us the Spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind; the apostle had received such a position from God that he had been able to bestow on Timothy the gift needed for his service but the state of spirit and soul which could use it was part of the inheritance of every Christian who leaned really on God. Nor was he to be ashamed either of the testimony which was losing outwardly its onward current in the world nor of Paul who was now a prisoner. How precious to possess that which is eternal that which is founded on the power and on the work of God Himself! There were indeed the afflictions of the gospel but he should take part in them and not shrink enduring according to the power of God. God has saved us has called us with a holy calling not according to our works as though any thing depended on man but according to His own purpose and His grace given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. This is the sure and immovable foundation a rock for our souls against which the waves of difficulty break in vain shewing a strength which we could not resist for a moment but shewing also their total powerlessness against the purpose and work of God. The efforts of the enemy only prove that he is without strength in the presence of that which God is and of that which He has done for us. And the apostle identifies his ministry with this and the sufferings he was undergoing. But he knew whom he had believed and his happiness was safe laid up with Him.

That which we have to seek is the power of the Spirit in order that we may realise this gift of God by faith and that we may abide as to our hearts as to our practical faith in the sense of our union with Christ upon this immutable foundation which is nothing less than the immutability and the glory of God Himself. For His purpose has been manifested; that purpose which gave us a place and a portion in Christ Himself was now manifested through the appearance of that very Christ.

It is no longer a nation chosen in the world to display in it the principles of the government of God and of His ways in righteousness in patience in kindness and in power on the earth (however unchangeable His counsels however sure His calling) as manifested in His dealings with regard to the people whom He called.

It is a counsel of God formed and established in Christ before the world existed which has its place in the ways of God outside and above the world in union with the Person of His Son and in order to manifest a people united with Him in glory. Thus is it a grace which was given us in Him before the world was. Hidden in the counsels of God this purpose of God was manifested with the manifestation of Him in whom it had its accomplishment. It was not merely blessings and dealings of God with regard to men-it was life eternal life in the soul and incorruptibility in the body. Thus Paul was apostle according to the promise of life.

While Christ Himself was alive although life was in Him this purpose of God was not accomplished with respect to us. The power of life divine power in life was to manifest itself in the destruction of the power of death brought in by sin and in which Satan reigned over sinners. Christ then in His resurrection has annulled death and by the gospel has brought to light both life and incorruptibility that is to say that condition of eternal life which puts the soul and the body beyond death and its power. Thus the glad tidings of this work were addressed to all men. Founded in the eternal counsels of God established in the Person of Christ the work necessary for its fulfillment being accomplished by Him possessing a character altogether outside Judaism and the mere government of God in the earth Paul's gospel was unto all men. Being the manifestation of the eternal counsels and power of God having to do with man as lying under the power of death and with the accomplishment of a victory that placed man beyond that power and in an entirely new condition which depended on the power of God and His purposes it addressed itself to man to all men Jews or Gentiles without distinction. Knowing Adam dead by sin and Christ alive in the power of divine life he announced this good news to man- deliverance and a totally new state of things.

It was to proclaim this gospel that the apostle had been called as a herald. It was for this he suffered and in the sense of what had caused it was not ashamed to suffer. For he knew whom he had believed; he knew His power. He believed in the gospel that he preached and therefore in the victorious power of Him in whom he believed. He could die with regard to the life that he had received from the first Adam he could be dishonoured and put to shame in the world and by the world: life in Christ the power by which Christ had won a place for man outside the condition of the first Adam life as Christ now possesses it was not touched thereby. Not that life had not been there before but death and he that had the power of death were not overcome and all was dark beyond the closing tomb: a lightning flash might pass across the gloom adequate ground be laid for the just conclusion of the Pharisee but life and incorruptibility were not brought to light but in Christ and His resurrection.

But this is not all which is here expressed. The apostle does not say " in what I have believed " but " whom:" an important difference which places us (as to our confidence) in connection with the Person of Christ Himself. The apostle had spoken of the truth but truth is allied to the Person of Christ. He is the truth; and in Him truth has life has power is linked with the love which applies it which maintains it in the heart and the heart by it. "I know " says the apostle " whom I have believed." He had committed his happiness to Christ. In Him was that life in which the apostle participated; in Him the power that sustained it and that preserved in heaven the inheritance of glory which was his portion where this life was developed.

Encouraged by this hope and committing himself to Jesus he had endured all things for Him and for those who were His; he had accepted all suffering here he was ready to die daily. His happiness in the glory of that new life he had committed to Jesus; he laboured meanwhile in affliction sure of finding again without being deceived that which he had committed to the Lord in the day when he should see Him and all his sorrows ended. It was in the expectation of that day in order to find it again at that day that he had committed to Him his happiness and his joy.

Moreover his own career would soon be finished; his eyes therefore turn towards Timothy for the welfare of the assembly here below. He exhorts him to be steadfast to hold fast the truth as he had taught it to him (it was the testimony of the Lord) but the truth in its realisation by faith in Christ and according to the power of love that is found in communion with Him. It is this which as we have seen the apostle had realised. The truth and living grace in Jesus in faith and in love which gave it its power and its value-these are as it were the pivots of strength and faithfulness at all times and especially for the man of God when the assembly in general is unfaithful.

Truth as it was taught by the apostles and expressed by them the manner in which they presented the truth "the form of sound words " is the inspired expression of that which God was pleased to reveal; and that in all the relationships in which the truth is linked together in all its different parts according to the living nature and power of God who is necessarily its centre as He is its source. Nothing except revelation could be this expression. God expresses everything as it is and in a living way; and by His word all exists. He is the source and the centre of all things. All flow from Him-are in relation with a living Person namely Himself who is their source from whom all hold their existence. This existence only subsists in connection with Him; and the relationship of all things to Him and between themselves is found in the expression of His mind-in that measure at least in which He puts Himself in relation with man in all these things. If evil comes in as regards will or its consequences in judgment it is because this relationship is broken; and the relationship that is broken is the measure of the evil.

Thus we see the immense importance of the word of God. It is the expression of the relationship of all things to God; whether as regards their existence--that is creation-or with respect to His counsels; or even as to His own nature and the relationship of man with Him and the communication of life received from Him and the maintenance of His true character. It comes from heaven as did the living Word reveals what is there but adapts itself as the living Word did to man here directs him where there is faith here but leads him up there where the living Word is gone as man.

The more we consider the word the more we shall see its importance. Analogously to Christ the living Word it has its source on high and reveals what is there and is perfectly adapted to man down here giving a perfect rule according to what is up there and if we are spiritual leading us up there: our conversation is in heaven. We must distinguish between the relationship in which man stood as child of Adam and as child of God. The law is the perfect expression of the requirements of the former the rule of life to him; it is found to be to death. Once we are sons of God the life of the Son of God as man down here becomes our rule of life. "Be ye imitators of God as dear children and walk in love as Christ hath loved us."

In His nature as the author of all existence and the centre of all authority and subsistence outside Himself God is the centre of all and the upholder of all. As to His counsels Christ is the centre and here man has a peculiar place; wisdom's good pleasure was eternally in Him and all is to be under His feet. In order that the nature and the counsels of God should not be separated (which indeed is impossible but what was in His counsels in order that it might not be) God became man. Christ is God made manifest in flesh the Word made flesh. Thus the divine nature the expression of that nature is found in that which is the object of His counsels that which forms their centre. Thus Christ is the truth-is the centre of all existing relationships: all have reference to Him. We are through Him for Him or we are against Him: all subsist by Him. If we are judged it is as His enemies. He is the life (spiritually) of all that enjoy the communication of the divine nature; even as He sustains all that exists. His manifestation brings to light the true position of all things. Thus He is the truth. All that He says being the words of God are spirit and life; quickening acting according to grace judging with regard to the responsibility of His creatures.

But there is yet more than this. He is the revelation of love. God is love and in Jesus love is in action and is known by the heart that knows Him. The heart that knows Him lives in love and knows love in God. But He is also the object in whom God is revealed to us and has become the object of entire reliance. Faith is born by His manifestation. It existed indeed through partial revelation of this same object by means of which God made Himself known; but these were only partial anticipations of that which has been fully accomplished in the manifestation of Christ of the Son of God. The object is the same: formerly the subject of promise and prophecy; now the personal revelation of all that God is the image of the invisible God the One in whom the Father also is known.

Thus faith and love have their birth their source in the object which by grace has created them in the soul: the object in which it has learnt what love is and with regard to which faith is exercised. By Him we believe in God. No one has ever seen God: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father He has revealed Him.

Truth is thus revealed for Jesus is the Truth the expression of that which God is so as to put all things perfectly in their place in their true relationships with God and with each other. Faith and love find the occasion of their existence in the revelation of the Son of God of God as a Saviour in Christ.

But there is another aspect of the accomplishment of the work and of the counsels of God which we have not yet spoken of: that is the communication of the truth and of the knowledge of God. This is the work of the Holy Ghost in which the truth and the life are united for we are begotten by the word. It is divine energy in the Deity acting in all that connects God with the creature or the creature with God. Acting in divine perfection as God in union with the Father and the Son the Holy Ghost reveals the counsels of which we have spoken and makes them effectual in the heart according to the purpose of the Father and by the revelation of the Person and work of the Son. I have said divine energy not as a theological definition-which is not my object here-but as a practical truth for while attributing all that regards the creature to the Father (except judgment which is entirely committed to the Son because He is the Son of man) and to the Son the immediate action in creation and on the creature wherever it takes place is attributed to the Spirit.

The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters when this earth was formed; by His Spirit the heavens were garnished; we are born of the Spirit; sealed with the Spirit; holy men of God spake by the Spirit; gifts were the operation of the Spirit distributing to whom He would; He bears witness with our spirits; He groans in us; we pray by the Holy Ghost if that grace is bestowed upon us. The Lord Himself born as man in this world was conceived by the Holy Ghost; by the Spirit of God He cast out devils. The Spirit bears witness of all things that is to say of all truth in the word:-the love of the Father the nature and the glory of God Himself His character the Person and glory and love of the Son His work form the substance of His testimony with all that relates to man in connection with these truths. The Spirit's witness to these things is the word and-produced by means of men-takes the shape of the truth formally set forth by revelation. Christ is the truth as we have seen the centre of all the ways of God; but what we are now speaking of is the divine communication of this truth; and in this way it can be said that the word is the truth. [2] But although communicated by means of men so that it takes a form adapted to man its source is divine; and He who has communicated it is divine: He of whom it is said he shall not speak of himself (that is to say from Himself-apart from the Father and the Son). Consequently the revelation of the truth has all the depth the universality of relationship the inseparable connection with God (without which it would not be truth for all that is separate from God is falsehood) which truth itself possesses-necessarily possesses--because it is the expression of the relationships which all things have to God in Christ; that is to say of God's own thoughts of which all these relationships are but the expression. It is true that this revelation also judges all that is not in accordance with these relationships and judges according to the value of the relationship that is broken with regard to God Himself and the place which this relationship has in His mind. [3] When this word is received through the quickening work of the Holy Ghost in the heart it is efficacious; there is faith the soul is in real living practical relationship with God according to that which is expressed in the revelation it has received. The truth-which speaks of the love of God of holiness of cleansing from all sin of eternal life of the relationship of children-being received into the heart places us in real present living relationship with God according to the force of all these truths as God conceives them and as He has revealed them to the soul. Thus they are vital and efficacious by the Holy Ghost; and the consciousness of this revelation of the truth and of the truth of that which is revealed and of really hearing the voice of God in His word is faith.

But all this is true in the revealed word before I believe in it and in order that I may believe in it--may believe in the truth-although the Holy Ghost alone makes us hear the voice of God in it and so produces faith. And that which is revealed in it is the divine expression of that which belongs to the infinite on the one side and is expressed in the finite on the other; of that which has the profoundness of the nature of God from whom all proceeds with whom and with whose rights all is in relationship but which is developed-since it is outside God-in creation and in the finite.

The union of God and man in the Person of Christ is the centre-we may say (now that we know it) the necessary centre of all this as we have seen. And the inspired word is its expression according to the perfection of God and (we bless God for it as the Saviour is the grand subject of the scriptures " for " said He " they testify of me ") in human forms.

But this word being divine being inspired is the divine expression of the divine nature persons and counsels. Nothing that is not inspired in this way can have this place-for none but God can perfectly express or reveal what God is-hence infinite in what flows in it; because it is the expression of and connected with the depths of the divine nature and so in its connection infinite though expressed in a finite sense and so far finite in expression and thus adapted to finite man. Nothing else is the divine expression of the divine mind and truth or is in direct union with the unmixed source even though it sprang from the same source. The immediate connection is broken; that which is said is no longer divine. It may contain many truths but the living derivation the infinite the union with God the immediate and uninterrupted derivation from God are wanting. The infinite is no longer there. The tree grows from its root and forms one whole; the energy of life pervades it-the sap which flows from the root. We may consider one part as God has set it there as a part of the tree; we may see the importance of the trunk; the beauty of the development in its smallest details the stateliness of the whole in which the vital energy combines liberty and harmony of form. We see that it is a whole united in one by the same life that produced it. The leaves the flowers the fruit all tell us of the warmth of that divine Sun which developed them of the gushing inexhaustible stream which nourishes them. But we cannot separate one part be it ever so beautiful from the tree without depriving it of the energy of life and its relationship with the whole.

When the power of the Spirit of God produces the truth it develops itself in union with its source whether in revelation or even in the life and in the service of the individual; although in the two latter cases there is a mixture of other elements owing to the weakness of the man. When a man's mind apprehends the truth and he seeks to give it a form he does it according to the capacity of man which is not its source; the truth as he expresses it even were it pure is separated in him from its source and its totality; but besides this the shapethat a man gives it always bears the stamp of the man's weakness. He has only apprehended it partially and he only produces a part of it. Accordingly it is no longer the truth. Moreover when he separates it from the whole circle of truth in which God has placed it he must necessarily clothe it in a new form in a garment which proceeds from man: at once error mixes with it. Thus it is no longer a vital part of the whole it is partial and thereby not the truth; and it is in fact mixed with error. That is theology.

In the truth there is when God expresses it love holiness authority as they are in Him the expression of His own relationships with man and of the glory of His being. When man gives it a shape all this is wanting and cannot be in it because it is man who shapes it. It is no longer God speaking. God gives it a perfect form; that is to say He expresses the truth in words of certainty. If man gives it a form it is no longer the truth given of God. Therefore to hold fast the truth in the form God has given it the type the shape in which He has expressed it is of all importance: we are in relationship with God in it according to the certainty of that which He has revealed. This is the sure resource of the soul when the assembly has lost its power and its energy and is no longer a sustainment to feeble souls; and that which bears its name no longer answers to the character given it in the First Epistle "the pillar and support of the truth. [4] The truth clear and positive truth given as a revelation from God in the words-clothed with His authority-by which He has given the truth a form communicating the facts and the divine thoughts which are necessary for the salvation of men and for their participation in divine life-this it is which we are to hold fast.

We are only sure of the truth when we retain the very language of God which contains it. By grace I may speak of the truth in all liberty I may seek to explain it to communicate it to urge it on the conscience according to the measure of light and spiritual power bestowed upon me; I may endeavor to demonstrate its beauty and the connection between its various parts. Every Christian and especially those who have a gift from God for the purpose may do this. But the truth which I explain and propose is the truth as God has given it and in His own words in the revelation He has made. I hold fast the form of sound words which I have received from a divine source and authority: it gives me certainty in the truth.

And here it is important to remark the assembly's part when faithful. She receives she maintains the truth in her own faith; she guards it she is faithful to it she is subject to it as a truth a revelation which comes from God Himself. She is not the source of the truth. As an assembly she does not propagate it-does not teach it. She says " I believe " not "believe." This last is the function of ministry in which man is always individually in relationship with God by means of a gift which he holds from God and for the exercise of which he is responsible to God. This is all-important. Those who possess these gifts are members of the body. The assembly exercises her discipline with regard to all that is of the flesh in them in the exercise or apparent exercise of a gift as in all else. She preserves her own purity without respect of persons as to their outward appearance being guided therein by the word (for this is her responsibility); but she does not teach she does not preach.

The word goes before the assembly for she has been gathered together by the word. The apostles a Paul those who were scattered abroad by the persecution a thousand faithful souls have proclaimed the word and thus the assembly has been gathered out. It has been said that the assembly was before the scriptures. As regards the written contents of the New Testament this is true; but the preached word was before the assembly. The assembly is its fruit but is never its source. The edification even of the assembly when it has been gathered together comes direct from God through the gifts which He has bestowed; the Holy Ghost distributing to each according to His will.

The scriptures are the means which God has used to preserve the truth to give us certainty in it; seeing the fallibility of the instruments by whom it is propagated since revelation has ceased.

If at the beginning He filled certain persons with His Spirit in such a way that error was excluded from their preaching if besides this He then gave revelations in which there was nothing but His own word yet as a general rule preaching is the fruit of the Holy Ghost in the heart and its spirituality is only in measure and there is the possibility of error. Here whatever may be the power of the Spirit's work we have to judge. (See Acts 17:11; 1 Cor. 14:29) Farther on we shall see that in forming this judgment it is the scriptures which assure those who are led of God.

We have thus in the ways of God respecting this subject three things closely united yet different: ministry the assembly and the word of God that is the written word; when it is not written it belongs to the order of ministry.

Ministry-as regards the word for this is not the only service-preaches to the world and teaches or exhorts the members of the assembly.

The assembly enjoys communion with God is fed and grows by means of that with which its different members supply it. It preserves and in its confession bears witness to the truth. It maintains holiness and by the grace and presence of the Holy Ghost enjoys mutual communion; and in love cares for the temporal need of all its members.

The written word is the rule which God has given containing all that He has revealed. It is complete. (Col 1:25) It can because it is the truth be the means of communicating the truth to a soul: the Holy Ghost can use it as a means; but at all events it is the perfect rule the authoritative communication of the will and the mind of God for the assembly.

The assembly is subject is to be faithful to have no will. It does not reveal it maintains by its confession it watches over that which it has it does not communicate; it has received and is faithfully to keep. The man directs that is Christ: the woman obeys and is faithful to her husband's thoughts-at least ought to be so (l Cor 2): this is the assembly. The oracles of God are committed to her. She does not give them; she obeys them.

The minister is bound individually to the same faithfulness. This we understand; and in our epistle we have especially to do with this individual responsibility. That which the assembly is in this respect is revealed in the first epistle. (Chap.3:15) Here it is the individual who is to hold fast this form of sound words which he has received from a divine source for such the apostle was in his apostolic function as an instrument. Neither Timothy nor the assembly could frame such a form of sound words; their part was to hold it fast having received it. And here as we have said however unfaithful the assembly may be the individual is bound to be faithful and always to be so.

This therefore is what we have to do: the truth which is set before us is the inspired word we are (and I am) to hold fast in the form in which it is presented to us. I am to hold it fast not merely as a proposition but in union with the Head in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Strength to fulfill comes from above. For here another point is brought before us. The Holy Ghost has been given indeed to the assembly; but a period of unfaithfulness is here contemplated. (Ver. 15) He has been given to the man of God to each Christian and to each servant with reference to the service appointed him. By the Holy Ghost we are to keep the good thing that has been committed to us. In days like those this was the duty of the man of God; and in our day things have gone much farther. Possessing the promise of life and forsaken by the mass of Christians he is to hold fast the truth in the words in which it has been expressed by divine authority (this is what we have in the word and not merely doctrine: people may say that they have the doctrine of Peter and Paul but they cannot say that they have their words the form of the truth as Paul and Peter gave it elsewhere than in their writings); and he is to hold it fast in faith and love which are in Christ. Moreover he is to keep by the power of the Holy Ghost the substance of the truth that which has been given us as a treasure-the deposit of divine truth and riches which has been given us as our portion here below.

In verses 15-18 we find that the mass had quite turned away from the apostle so that the affection and faithfulness of one became very precious to him. What a change already since the beginning of the gospel! Compare the Thessalonians the Ephesians: they were the same people (for Ephesus was the capital of what is here called Asia) among whom Paul had preached so that all Asia had heard the gospel; and see how they had all now forsaken him ! We must not however suppose that they had all abandoned the profession of Christianity; but their faith had become weak and they did not like to identify themselves with a man who was in disgrace with the authorities who was despised and persecuted a prisoner-a man whose energy brought reproach and personal difficulties upon himself. They withdrew from him and left him to answer alone for himself. Sad result of spiritual decline! But what sentiments should animate the man of God at such a moment? He must be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Christ was not changed whatever the case might be with men; and he who suffered from their desertion could without being discouraged exhort his beloved Timothy to persevere steadily in the word. Nor do we find anywhere the man of God called to more full and unhesitating courage than in this epistle which is the testimony of the failure and ruin of the assembly.

Footnotes

[1] It is indeed the basis of the exhortation of verse 6. When the faith of so many is giving~ way he turns to the personal confidence which his heart had in Timothy nourished up through grace by the atmosphere he had lived in.

[2] Hence also it is said (l John 5) " the Spirit is truth."

[3] This is true as regards guilt. But God being perfectly revealed and that in grace as the Father and the Son our apprehension of the ruin in which we are goes deeper fart than the sense of guilt as the breach of previously existing relationships. We were guilty according to our place as men. But we were "atheos" without God in the world and (when God is known) this is awful. The beginning of Romans treats the question of guilt; Ephesians 2 the sate we were in; John 5:24 briefly resumes grace as to both. The relationship now is an entirely new one founded on purpose redemption and our being children of God.

[4] The doctrines or dogmas of scripture have their importance and their adaptation to the simplest soul in this that they are facts and so objects of faith not notions. Thus Christ is God Christ is man the Holy Ghost is a Person and the like are facts for faith realized in the simplest soul.

── John DarbySynopsis of 2 Timothy

 

2 Timothy 1

Chapter Contents

Paul expresses great affection for Timothy. (1-5) Exhorts him to improve his spiritual gifts. (6-14) Tells of many who basely deserted him; but speaks with affection of Onesiphorus. (15-18)

Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:1-5

(Read 2 Timothy 1:1-5)

The promise of eternal life to believers in Christ Jesus is the leading subject of ministers who are employed according to the will of God. The blessings here named are the best we can ask for our beloved friends that they may have peace with God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Whatever good we do God must have the glory. True believers have in every age the same religion as to substance. Their faith is unfeigned; it will stand the trial and it dwells in them as a living principle. Thus pious women may take encouragement from the success of Lois and Eunice with Timothy who proved so excellent and useful a minister. Some of the most worthy and valuable ministers the church of Christ has been favoured with have had to bless God for early religious impressions made upon their minds by the teaching of their mothers or other female relatives.

Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:6-14

(Read 2 Timothy 1:6-14)

God has not given us the spirit of fear but the spirit of power of courage and resolution to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them. As is usual with Paul when he mentions Christ and his redemption he enlarges upon them; so full was he of that which is all our salvation and ought to be all our desire. The call of the gospel is a holy call making holy. Salvation is of free grace. This is said to be given us before the world began that is in the purpose of God from all eternity; in Christ Jesus for all the gifts that come from God to sinful man come in and through Christ Jesus alone. And as there is so clear a prospect of eternal happiness by faith in Him who is the Resurrection and the Life let us give more diligence in making his salvation sure to our souls. Those who cleave to the gospel need not be ashamed the cause will bear them out; but those who oppose it shall be ashamed. The apostle had trusted his life his soul and eternal interests to the Lord Jesus. No one else could deliver and secure his soul through the trials of life and death. There is a day coming when our souls will be inquired after. Thou hadst a soul committed to thee; how was it employed? in the service of sin or in the service of Christ? The hope of the lowest real Christian rests on the same foundation as that of the great apostle. He also has learned the value and the danger of his soul; he also has believed in Christ; and the change wrought in his soul convinces the believer that the Lord Jesus will keep him to his heavenly kingdom. Paul exhorts Timothy to hold fast the Holy Scriptures the substance of solid gospel truth in them. It is not enough to assent to the sound words but we must love them. The Christian doctrine is a trust committed to us; it is of unspeakable value in itself and will be of unspeakable advantage to us. It is committed to us to be preserved pure and entire yet we must not think to keep it by our own strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us; and it will not be gained by those who trust in their own hearts and lean to their own understandings.

Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:15-18

(Read 2 Timothy 1:15-18)

The apostle mentions the constancy of Onesiphorus; he oft refreshed him with his letters and counsels and comforts and was not ashamed of him. A good man will seek to do good. The day of death and judgment is an awful day. And if we would have mercy then we must seek for it now of the Lord. The best we can ask for ourselves or our friends is that the Lord will grant that we and they may find mercy of the Lord when called to pass out of time into eternity and to appear before the judgment seat of Christ.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on 2 Timothy

 

2 Timothy 1

Verse 3

[3] I thank God whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

Whom I serve from my forefathers — That is whom both I and my ancestors served.

With a pure conscience — He always worshipped God according to his conscience both before and after his conversion One who stands on the verge of life is much refreshed by the remembrance of his predecessors to whom he is going.

Verse 4

[4] Greatly desiring to see thee being mindful of thy tears that I may be filled with joy;

Being mindful of thy tears — Perhaps frequently shed as well as at the apostle's last parting with him.

Verse 5

[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.

Which dwelt — A word not applied to a transient guest but only to a settled inhabitant.

First — Probably this was before Timothy was born yet not beyond St. Paul's memory.

Verse 6

[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.

Wherefore — Because I remember this.

I remind thee of stirring up — Literally blowing up the coals into a flame.

The gift of God — All the spiritual gifts which the grace of God has given thee.

Verse 7

[7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

And let nothing discourage thee for God hath not given us - That is the spirit which God hath given us Christians is not the spirit of fear - Or cowardice.

But of power — Banishing fear.

And love and sobriety — These animate us in our duties to God our brethren and ourselves. Power and sobriety are two good extremes. Love is between the tie and temperament of both; preventing the two bad extremes of fearfulness and rashness. More is said concerning power 1 Timothy 1:8; concerning love 2 Timothy 2:14 etc.; concerning sobriety 2 Timothy 3:1 etc.

Verse 8

[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;

Therefore be not thou ashamed — When fear is banished evil shame also flees away.

Of the testimony of our Lord — The gospel and of testifying the truth of it to all men.

Nor of me — The cause of the servants of God doing his work cannot be separated from the cause of God himself.

But be thou partaker of the afflictions — Which I endure for the gospel's sake.

According to the power of God — This which overcomes all things is nervously described in the two next verses.

Verse 9

[9] Who hath saved us and called us with an 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

Who hath saved us — By faith. The love of the Father the grace of our Saviour and the whole economy of salvation are here admirably described.

Having called us with an holy calling — Which is all from God and claims us all for God.

According to his own purpose and grace — That is his own gracious purpose.

Which was given us — Fixed for our advantage before the world began.

Verse 10

[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:

By the appearing of our Saviour — This implies his whole abode upon earth.

Who hath abolished death — Taken away its sting and turned it into a blessing.

And hath brought life and immortality to light — Hath clearly revealed by the gospel that immortal life which he hath purchased for us.

Verse 12

[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.

That which I have committed to him — My soul.

Until that day — Of his final appearing.

Verse 13

[13] Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

The pattern of sound words — The model of pure wholesome doctrine.

Verse 14

[14] That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

The good thing — This wholesome doctrine.

Verse 15

[15] This thou knowest that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

All who are in Asia — Who had attended me at Rome for a while.

Are turned away from me — What from Paul the aged the faithful soldier and now prisoner of Christ! This was a glorious trial and wisely reserved for that time when he was on the borders of immortality. Perhaps a little measure of the same spirit might remain with him under whose picture are those affecting words "The true effigy of Francis Xavier apostle of the Indies forsaken of all men dying in a cottage."

Verse 16

[16] The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain:

The family of Onesiphorus — As well as himself.

Hath often refreshed me — Both at Ephesus and Rome.

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on 2 Timothy

 

Chapter 1. Guard the Good Deposit

Not a Spirit of Timidity
But a Spirit of Power

I. Concerns for Timothy

  1. Recall Tears
  2. Remember Faith
  3. Remind of the Gift

II. Don't Be Ashamed to Testify

  1. Call to a Holy Life
  2. The Gospel of Life
  3. I Know and I'm Convinced

III. Praise Onesiphorus

  1. Often Refresh Me
  2. Help in Many Ways
  3. May the Lord Grant Him Mercy

── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament

                             
Chapter One General Review
                             
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To notice the great love that existed between Paul and Timothy
 
2) To examine the exhortations to faithful service given by Paul to 
   Timothy
 
3) To contrast the people who abandoned Paul
with a faithful friend 
   like Onesiphorus
 
SUMMARY
 
The apostle Paul begins this letter to his "beloved son" with a prayer
for grace
mercy and peace in his behalf.  Thankful to God for the
unceasing memories that he has of Timothy in his prayers night and day
Paul greatly desires to see the young man.  Seeing him again will bring
great joy as Paul is mindful of Timothy's tears and his unfeigned faith
(1-5).
 
Paul's purpose in writing begins in earnest with a series of 
exhortations toward steadfast service.  He encourages Timothy to stir 
up the gift of God which was in him by the laying on of Paul's hands
to not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of Paul His 
prisoner
and to hold fast the pattern of sound words which he had 
heard from Paul
keeping it by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Timothy is
then reminded of those who had forsaken Paul
but also how Onesiphorus
had proven to be a true friend and brother by virtue of his courage
diligence
and service (6-18).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. INTRODUCTION (1-5)
 
   A. SALUTATION (1-2a)
      1. From Paul
an apostle of Jesus Christ (1)
         a. By the will of God
         b. According to the promise of life in Christ Jesus
      2. To Timothy
his beloved son (2a)
      3. Grace
mercy
and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus
         our Lord (2b)
 
   B. THANKSGIVING (3-5)
      1. Thanks offered to God by Paul (3)
         a. Whom he serves with pure conscience
as did his forefathers
         b. For without ceasing he remembers Timothy in his prayers 
            night and day
      2. Greatly desiring to see Timothy (4-5)
         a. For he is mindful of Timothy's tears
         b. For Paul himself desires to be filled with joy
         c. For he remembers the genuine faith that is in Timothy
            1) Which dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and his mother
               Eunice
            2) And which Paul is persuaded is in Timothy also
 
II. EXHORTATION TO ZEAL AND COURAGE (6-12)
 
   A. STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD (6-7)
      1. Which was in him through the laying on of Paul's hands (6)
      2. For God has given a spirit
not of fear
but of power
love
         and a sound mind (7)
 
   B. DON'T BE ASHAMED (8-12)
      1. Of the testimony of our Lord
nor of Paul His prisoner (8a)
      2. Share with Paul in the suffering of the gospel according to 
         the power of God (8b-12)
         a. Who saved us and called us with a holy calling (9-10)
            1) Not according to our works
            2) But according to His own purpose and grace
               a) Given to us in Christ before time began
               b) But has now been revealed by the appearing of our 
                  Savior Jesus Christ
                  1/ Who abolished death
                  2/ And brought light and immortality to light through
                     the gospel
         b. For the gospel Paul was appointed a preacher
apostle and 
            teacher (11-12)
            1) For such things he suffers
            2) But he not ashamed
               a) For he knows Whom he has believed
               b) And is persuaded that He is able to keep what Paul 
                  has committed to Him until that Day
 
III. EXHORTATION TO STEADFASTNESS AND LOYALTY (13-18)
 
   A. BE STEADFAST (13-14)
      1. Hold fast the pattern of sound words (13)
         a. Which he had heard from Paul
         b. In faith and love which are in Christ Jesus
      2. Keep that good thing (14)
         a. Which was committed to you
         b. Keep it by the Holy Spirit who dwells is us
 
   B. BE LOYAL (15-18)
      1. All in Asia have turned away from Paul
including Phygellus 
         and Hermogenes (15)
      2. In contrast
the example of Onesiphorus (16-18)
         a. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus
            1) For he often refreshed Paul
            2) He was not ashamed of Paul's chains
            3) Arriving in Rome
he sought Paul diligently and found
               him
            4) He also ministered to Paul in many ways at Ephesus
         b. May the Lord grant mercy to Onesiphorus in that Day
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-5)
   - Exhortations to zeal and courage (6-12)
   - Exhortations to steadfastness and loyalty (13-18)
 
2) How does Paul describe Timothy in his salutation? (2)
   - My beloved son
 
3) How did Paul serve God? (3)
   - With a pure conscience
as did his forefathers
 
4) What two things came to Paul's mind when concerning Timothy? (4-5)
   - His tears
   - The genuine faith that was in him
 
5) What two women had this genuine faith before Timothy? (5)
   - His grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice
 
6) What did Paul remind Timothy to stir up? (6)
   - The gift of God which was in him through the laying on of Paul's
     hands
 
7) What had God given Paul and Timothy? (7)
   - Not the spirit of fear
but of power and of love and of a sound
     mind
 
8) What two things did Paul not want Timothy to be ashamed of? (8)
   - The testimony of our Lord
   - Paul His prisoner
 
9) How has God saved us and called us with a holy calling? (10)
   - Not according to our works but according to His own purpose and
     grace
 
10) What has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ?
    (10-11)
   - God's purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ before 
     time began
 
11) What two things has Jesus done according to verse 10?
   - Abolished death
   - Brought life and immortality to light through the gospel
 
12) To what three functions had Paul been appointed relating to the 
    gospel? (11)
   - Preacher
apostle
teacher
 
13) Though Paul suffered
why was he not ashamed? (12)
   - He knew Whom he had believed
   - He was persuaded that He is able to keep what he had committed to
     Him until that Day
 
14) What was Timothy to hold fast? (13)
   - The pattern of sound words heard from Paul
 
15) How was he to keep that good thing that was committed to him? (14)
   - By the Holy Spirit who dwells in him
 
16) Who had turned away from Paul? (15)
   - All those in Asia
   - Including Phygellus and Hermogenes
 
17) What four good things are said about Onesiphorus? (16-18)
   - He often refreshed Paul
   - He was not ashamed of Paul's chains
   - When he arrived in Rome
he diligently sought until he found Paul
   - He ministered to Paul in Ephesus in many ways
 
18) What two things did Paul desire of the Lord? (16
18)
   - Mercy be granted to the household of Onesiphorus
   - Mercy be granted to Onesiphorus in that Day

 

--《Executable Outlines

 

Guard the good deposit

Not a Spirit of timidity

But a Spirit of power

 

I.  Concerns for Timothy

1.    Recall tears

2.    Remember faith

3.    Remind of the gift

II.Don’t be ashamed to testify

1.    Call to a holy life

2.    The gospel of life

3.    I know and I’m convinced

III.       Praise Onesiphorus

1.    Often refresh me

2.    Help in many ways

3.    May the Lord grant him mercy

-- Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament