The Second Epistle to Timothy
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Introduction[i]
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.