Introduction.

I. Author, PAUL._See intro. to 1 Tim. II. Time, A.D. 67 or 68 (Ellicott). III. Place, prob. ROME, during P.'s second imprison. IV. To whom, TIMOTHY. See intro. to 1 Tim. V. Design, 1. To encourage Tim. amid the increasing trials of the Ch.; 2. To express his desire to see his " dear son in the Gospel" once more. VI. Style." In no Epis. does the true, loving, undaunted, and trustful heart of the gt. Apos. speak in more consolatory, yet more moving accents; in no portion of his writings is there a loftier tone of Christian courage than that wh. pervades these, so to speak, dying words; nowhere a holier rapture than that with wh. the reward and crown of faithful labour is contemplated as now exceeding nigh at hand

(Ellicott).

salutation

CHAPTER THE FIRST.

1, 2. Paul.. God," see on Ga. i. 1. life, spiritual, eternal, a Ac. xxvi. 15— wh. the Apostles were to proclaim. to.. son, see on 1 Ti. i. 2. "Friendship is grace, etc., see on Ep. i. 2.

18.

seldom truly The promise of life in Christ.-I. The promise is possessed by tried but in ex- us. II. It takes its rise from God's mercy, and flows through tremes. To find Christ. 111. It includes all grace, mercy, and peace, which even have no need of Timothy required. IV. This blessing is required by the best, and them, and to want it is the best we can ask for our friends.

friends when we

alike easy and

tham.

He who struts

them when we Discovering the Divine Will.-It would be a great deal easier, have, are both certainly, for honest men to have all their judgments formed for common."-Fel them, and every day to find, written and laid on their desks, a schedule of just what is right and wrong for the day following. b M. Henry. But there is no such an economy-there is not to be any such an about the market economy. Men are not only bound to do what is right, but they in the philoso- are obliged to find out what that right is; and I think the most pher's toga, will perplexing part of the experience of human life, with an honest dwelling-place of heart, is to know what is right. It is not doing duty, but finding out what duty is, that perplexes. It is not difficult to find out

not come into the

God.

the will of God in regard to principles, as I have said, but it is c H. W. Beecher. difficult to find out the will of God in respect to the daily events

of life-the right and the wrong, the good and the bad, the prosperous and the unfortunate.c

b

3-5. whom. . conscience a [iii. 209]. that.. day [iii. Timothy's 262], see on 1 Th. i. 2. tears, prob. shed at parting. un- early piety feigned, see on 1 Ti. i. 5. Lois (agreeable, desirable), of whom a Ac. xxiij. 1; nothing more is known. Euniced (happily conquering), a Jewess, xxvii. 23; 2 Co. mar. to a Gk. persuaded, by plain fruits.

i. 12.

b Ro. i. 9.

The happiness of having religious relatives.-I. That it is an advantage to be descended of pious parents. II. That they who Ac. xx. 37. have this advantage ought to improve it. III. That they are to d Ac. xvi. 1; 2 be blamed who degenerate from the wisdom and piety of their Ti. iii. 15. parents. IV. That children may, and have a right to, excel their e Dr. Lardner. ancestors in those things which are good and praiseworthy. V. "A father inThat it is a great and singular happiness, when there is a general quires whether agreement and harmony in things of religion among members of a family.

his boy can con

strue Homer, if he understands

Horace, and can taste Virgil; but

Alfred the Great.-Alfred the Great had reached his twelfth year before he had even learned his alphabet. An interesting how seldom does anecdote is told of the occasion on which he was first prompted to he ask, or exaapply himself to books. His mother had shown him and his mine, or think brothers a small volume, illuminated in different places with whether he can restrain his pascoloured letters, and such other embellishments as were then in sions; whether fashion. Seeing that it excited the admiration of her children, he is grateful, she promised that she would give it to the boy who should first generous, hulearn to read it. Alfred, though the youngest, was the only one mane, compassionate, just and who had spirit enough to attempt obtaining it on such a condi- benevolent." tion. He immediately went and procured a teacher, and in a Lady Hervey. very short time was able to claim the promised reward. When "Rightly to train he came to the throne, notwithstanding his manifold duties, and a single youth is a tormenting disease which seldom allowed him an hour's rest, a greater exploit he employed his leisure time either in reading or hearing the best of Troy."-Mebooks. His high regard for the best interests of the people he lanchthon. was called to govern, and the benevolence of his conduct, are well known.

than the taking

6-8. gift.. hands, see on 1 Ti. iv. 14. fear, cowardice. the spirit of sound mind, self-control. be.. Lord, etc., d be, therefore, power bold in bearing testimony ab. Christ and His persecuted servants. but, etc., be willing to share with others in suffering ill for the Gospel's sake. power, Divine power given to enable one both to do and suffer for Christ.

a 1 Th. v. 19; 1 Co. xii. 7; Col. iv. 17.

b Ro. viii. 15; 1 Jo. iv. 18.

c Ac. i. 8; 1 Co. ii. 4, 5.

Fear versus power.-I. The negative statement-" God hath not given us the spirit of fear." Wherever God is hidden, there is fear. Look at-1. The heathen; 2. Superstition, as in the d Ro. i. 16; Ac. delusions of Rome; 3. The place where ignorance abounds; 4. xx. 23, 24; xxi. Those who lack faith. II. The positive statement. God replaces | 13; Mk. viii. 38. the spirit of fear with the spirit of-1. Power; 2. Love; 3. A e 2 Ti. iv. 5; 2 Co. sound mind.—The spiritual endowment of the Christian Church. xii. 10. -The Church of Christ is endowed with the spirit of-I. Courage: fD. Longwill, M.A. 1. In being a disciple of Christ at all, courage was demanded; 2. "As one candle In proclaiming the Gospel, it was manifested; 3. In enduring hardships, it was developed. II. Power. The power of-1. Holy utterance; 2. Christian legislation; 3. Righteous, resolute volition. III. Love. Love of-1. Kindred; 2. Country; 3. Christ

cannot light ano

ther unless itself

be lighted,

no

more can a minister inflame

Cawdray.

others with the and God. IV. Soundness of mind or of health-1. The capacity love of God if he and consequent appetite for knowledge; 2. The energy of habitual be void of it."-holy action; 3. The restoring power of a righteous life.—The folly of moral cowardice.-Introduction. Look at the great cong W. R. Percival. flict between heaven and hell-(1) Its deep silence; (2) The comh Archer Butler. batants ourselves, fighting for either evil or good; (3) Its scene "There is no-the world-the human heart; (4) Some of the enemy's weapons kind of know- -disbelief-indolence-shame, or fear of the opinions of men. the hands of the It is with this latter weapon that we have now to deal-moral diligent and skil- cowardice. You, who are ashamed of Christ, is it that you are ful, will not turn ashamed of-I. Believing certain established truths? II. The Honey exudes prudence of your course? III. Your superiority to common from all flowers, temptations? IV. The moral glory obtained in the conquest of the bitter not ex- difficulties? V. Communion with God?h

ledge which, in

to account.

cepted; and the bee knows how

to extract it." Bishop Horne.

the holy calling

a Ro. viii. 29, 30; xi. 29; 1 Co. i. 26; Ep. i. 3-7, 18; Ph. iii. 14: 2 iii. 1; 2 Pe. i. 10;

Th. i. 11; He.

De. vii. 7, 8.

b1 Pe. i. 20; He. ii. 14.

c1 Co. xv. 55.

d Jo. xi. 25, 26.

e Ac. ix. 15, 16.

The call to the ministry.-Dr. Nathan Bangs, of the Methodist Church, dreamed that John Wesley called him to the invincible ranks of the Gospel ministry. He seemed to see that great leader, passing with great velocity in a chariot of light, throwing out to him a shining sword, and crying, "Take this, and conquer!" A minister contending against this doctrine averred, that he never believed himself called to preach. An acquaintance replied, "No other person believed it either."

b

9-11. calling," see refs. works.. grace, see on Ro. xi. 6. which.. began, see on Ep. iii. 11. manifest, etc. see on Ep. iii. 9. who.. death, as a king of terrors. brought.. light, i.e., brought these facts of the future into full view, demonstrates them. Gospel, wh. records the power of Christ in raising the dead, His own resurrection and His doctrine concerning the future. whereunto.. Gentiles [iii. 232], see on Ep. iii. 3, 8; and 1 Ti. ii. 6, 7.

Light from the grave.-I. Probabilities of the soul's immortality: 1. The physiological argument-immateriality; 2. The psychological argument-conscious power; 3. The analogical argument-natural metamorphoses-progress; 4. The theological argument-perfections of God; 5. The ethical argument-conscience; 6. The ethnical argument-consensus of nations. II. Certain proofs: 1. Christ's abolition of death; 2. The Gospel revealed.f-Saved, and called to a holy life.-I. The believer's privilege—a present salvation. The Christian is already perfectly saved-1. In God's purpose; 2. As to the price which has been "The premedi- paid for him; 3. In His covenant head. II. The evidence that he is called to it—a holy life-a leaving of sins, and an endeavour to be like Christ.g

f W. W. Wythe.

g Spurgeon.

tation of death is the premeditation of liberty: he who has learnt to die has

"Whatever

Light in the grave.-It is said that the Romans had a practice of lighting up their tombs. In Essex a tomb was once opened, forgot to serve." when a lamp was found in the corner, and a chair near it, indicat-Montaigne. ing the rank of the tomb-tenant; and it is recorded that fifteen hundred years after the death of Tullia, Cicero's daughter, her stress some may tomb, which was accidentally opened, was found illuminated with lay upon it, a a lamp. My friends, it was but a glimmering light, the rays of death-bed re-which were confined to the catacomb walls. But the light Christ pentance is but a sheds upon the grave falls on the vista of eternity. You can now stoop, look in, and see immortality beyond. The mist of unbelief may dim the sight and overspread the eyeball, but faith will penetrate the gloomy vault, and discern with clearness the glory of the scene.h

weak and slender

plank to trust our all upon." Sterne.

h Blacket.

12. I.. things," all. to his many trials. ashamed, the sin lies in the crime, not in the chain. know, by happy experience, Him of whom the world is ignorant. believed, have put my trust. persuaded, see on Ro. viii. 38. able, has full power. that him," my soul, vindication of character, future happiness. that day, of final reckoning.

safety for
the future
a 2 Ti. ii. 9, 10;

Lu. xii. 4.

Lu. xxiii. 46;

Ac. vii. 59; 1 Pe. iv. 19.

c 2 Ti. iv. 7, 8, 18.

d E. Johnson, B.A.

Christian positivism.-Let us examine the state of mind expressed in these words-"I know whom I have believed." It is opposed to-I. All negative belief; II. The spirit of self-reliance; III. All vague belief.d-The safety of believers.-I. The grounds e Dr. Black. upon which this comfortable persuasion, shown in our text, is ƒ W. Jay. built. Knowledge of the Saviour -1. His personal qualifications 9 R. Cecil, M.A.

-power-wisdom-love-faithfulness; 2. His special appointment It matters

what he saves.

not

not

to the office of Mediator. II. The manner in which this per- what a man suasion is produced and promoted. It is derived from-1. Testi- loses, if he save mony; 2. Experience.--The believer's confidence in the prospect he lose his soul, his soul: but, if of eternity.-I. The awful period-"that day." II. What the it matters Apostle did in the prospect of this period—he placed something in the Redeemer's hands. It was something personal-and in which he acted as a believer. III. The satisfaction felt in the review of the transaction-1. What it is derived from; 2. A particular reference with regard to it./-Christian confidence.I. What is the life of faith? A life of spiritual perception. II. How we should meet the world. III. The holy and practical tendency of true faith.g

"Alexander the Great, being upon his death-bed, commanded that when he was car

ried forth to his grave his hands

should not be wrapped, as was usual, in

cere

cloths, but should be left outside

the bier, that all

men might see them, and might see that they were empty."Abp. Trench.

The charm of salvation.-Salvation! What music is there in that word, music that never tires, but is always new, that alway rouses yet always rests us! It holds in itself all that our hearts would say. It is sweet vigour to us in the morning, and in the evening it is contented peace. It is a song that is always singing itself deep down in the delighted soul. Angelic ears are ravished by it up in heaven; and our Eternal Father Himself listens to it with adorable complacency. It is sweet even to Him out of whose mind is the music of a thousand worlds. To be saved! What is it to beh Dr. F. W. Faber. saved in the fullest and utmost meaning? Who can tell? Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard. It is a rescue, and from such a shipwreck! It is a rest, and in such an unimaginable home! It is to lie down for ever in the bosom of God in an endless rapture of insatiable contentment."

13—15. form,a delineation, pattern. Such form helps to con- Phygellus, serve the sense. Those who surrender the form are apt to part Hermogenes with the sense. of.. words, doctrine. faith.. love, the a 2 Ti. iii. 14; principles in wh. the form is to be held. that.. Tit. i. 9; Ro. vi. .. thee, the 17. Gospel, see on 1 Ti. 1-11. they.. Asia, converts in Asia. Phygellus (fugitive). Hermogenes (begotten of Mercury). "One might perhaps have thought that these would have been more steady than the others."

Serm. by Bp. Beveridge, vi. 111. b Ro. xiv. 23.

c Jo. xiv. 15; xiii. 35; 1 Co. xiii. 2.

The sacred trust.-I. The charge-the truth, the Word of God, which-1. Unfolds the true God; 2. Proclaims life and salvation d 2 Co. v. 19. through the Redeemer; 3. Brings life and immortality to light. e 2 Ti. iv. 10-16; II. The duty: We should have-1. A correct knowledge of the 2 Pe. ii. 20-—22. Word; 2. A devoted attachment to it; 3. A desire to preserve it ƒ Bengel. in its integrity; 4. A willingness to communicate it freely to g Dr. A. Reed. others; 5. An abiding sense of its responsibility. III. The as- "It would sistance: 1. Our necessities are connected with the Holy Spirit's well, if some who have taken upon ability; 2. Rejoice in His readiness to help.

be

themselves the The last words of a great preacher.—I have carefully examined ministry of the all religions. No one appears to me worthy of the wisdom of God, Gospel, that they would first and capable of leading men to happiness, but the Christian repreach to them- ligion. I have diligently studied Popery and Protestantism. The selves, then Protestant religion is, I think, the only good religion. It is all founded on the Holy Scriptures, the Word of God. From this, as from a fountain, all religion must be drawn. Scripture is the root, the Protestant religion is the trunk and branches of the tree. It becomes you all to keep steady to it."h

afterwards to others." -Cardi

nal Pole.

h Claude.

Onesipho

rus

a 2 Ti. iv. 19.

b He. vi. 10; Ma.
XXV.
xxviii. 16.

40; Ac.

"The kindness of some is too much like an echo: it returns exactly

ther more less."-Bowes.

nor

16-18. Onesiphorus a (bringing profit). refreshed, ministered to his bodily need; comforted. not.. chain, did not forsake him in adversity. sought me, knowing me to be a prisoner. thou.. well, Tim. well acquainted with the Ch. at Eph.

b

Paul praying for Onesiphorus.-I. Paul's prayers for Onesiphorus. He asks for mercy for him both now and hereafter. II. The reasons for these prayers: 1. He oft. refreshed Paul; 2. He was not ashamed of Paul's chain; 3. When in Rome, he sought him out very diligently; 4. He ministered unto him.c

the counterpart Approbation of kindness.-Good and friendly conduct may meet of what it re- with an unworthy, with an ungrateful, return; but the absence of ceives, and nei- gratitude on the part of the receiver cannot destroy the self-approbation which recompenses the giver: and we may scatter the seeds of courtesy and kindness around us at so little expense. Some of them will inevitably fall on good ground, and grow up into benevolence in the minds of others; and all of them will bear fruit of happiness in the bosom whence they spring. Once blest are all the virtues; twice blest sometimes.d

c A. Cameron.

d Jer. Bentham.

enduring hardness

a 2 Co. xii. 9; Ph.

iv. 13.

CHAPTER THE SECOND.

1-3. strong.. Christ," see on Ep. vi. 10. witnesses, believers who had heard Paul, "prob. the presbyters who were present at T.'s ordination." same, doctrines, Ch. rules, etc. faithful, trusty, honest, true. able.. also, they might be faithful, yet not apt to teach. thou.. hardness, hard treatment, suffering. as.. Christ, a soldier had to endure hardship, as well as fight battles. (Watching, marching, self-denial, per"Men of God chance be taken prisoner-like P.-while others continue the have always, campaign.)

b Je. xxiii. 18; 2

Co. iv. 1, 2. c 2 Ti. iv. 5.

from time to Moral soldiership.-I. The meaning of the words "endure time, walked anong men, and hardness." The reference is to the privations which soldiers made their com- undergo. II. The Christian man's profession as a soldier. This mission felt in implies a change of position, and a voluntary change, in life. III. the heart and The soldier's acquaintance with the general's plans. An intellimonest hearer." gent acquaintance with these enables the soldier to keep up confidence in the leader. IV. The conditions on which a soldier d W. Harris. is called upon to "endure hardness:" In-1. Standing his "The country ground; 2. Marching; 3. Action; 4. Retiring.d

soul of the com

-Emerson.

ment. For many

parson is full of A self-elected ministry.-Like as if a stranger should violently charity; it is his thrust himself in to be the shepherd of thy sheep, thou wouldst predominant ele- ask him who sent for him, what he had to do there, and thou and wonderful wouldst rather think him to be a thief, and a murderer of thy things are spoken sheep, than to be a faithful and trusty servant; so surely, if thou of thee, thou great virtue."-G. Her come to take charge of God's people before He inwardly move thy conscience to pity His people, and outwardly, by order, call and

bert.