Worthy.Bible » STRONG » 1 Timothy » Chapter 4 » Verse 10

1 Timothy 4:10 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

10 For G1063 therefore G1519 G5124 we G2872 both G2532 labour G2872 and G2532 suffer reproach, G3679 because G3754 we trust G1679 in G1909 the living G2198 God, G2316 who G3739 is G2076 the Saviour G4990 of all G3956 men, G444 specially G3122 of those that believe. G4103

Cross Reference

2 Corinthians 11:23-27 STRONG

Are they G1526 ministers G1249 of Christ? G5547 (I speak G2980 as a fool G3912 ) I G1473 am more; G5228 in G1722 labours G2873 more abundant, G4056 in G1722 stripes G4127 above measure, G5234 in G1722 prisons G5438 more frequent, G4056 in G1722 deaths G2288 oft. G4178 Of G5259 the Jews G2453 five times G3999 received I G2983 forty G5062 stripes save G3844 one. G3391 Thrice G5151 was I beaten with rods, G4463 once G530 was I stoned, G3034 thrice G5151 I suffered shipwreck, G3489 a night and a day G3574 I have been G4160 in G1722 the deep; G1037 In journeyings G3597 often, G4178 in perils G2794 of waters, G4215 in perils G2794 of robbers, G3027 in perils G2794 by G1537 mine own countrymen, G1085 in perils G2794 by G1537 the heathen, G1484 in perils G2794 in G1722 the city, G4172 in perils G2794 in G1722 the wilderness, G2047 in perils G2794 in G1722 the sea, G2281 in perils G2794 among G1722 false brethren; G5569 In G1722 weariness G2873 and G2532 painfulness, G3449 in G1722 watchings G70 often, G4178 in G1722 hunger G3042 and G2532 thirst, G1373 in G1722 fastings G3521 often, G4178 in G1722 cold G5592 and G2532 nakedness. G1132

John 3:15-17 STRONG

That G3363 whosoever G3956 believeth G4100 in G1519 him G846 should G622 not G3363 perish, G622 but G235 have G2192 eternal G166 life. G2222 For G1063 God G2316 so G3779 loved G25 the world, G2889 that G5620 he gave G1325 his G846 only begotten G3439 Son, G5207 that G2443 whosoever G3956 believeth G4100 in G1519 him G846 should G622 not G3361 perish, G622 but G235 have G2192 everlasting G166 life. G2222 For G1063 God G2316 sent G649 not G3756 his G846 Son G5207 into G1519 the world G2889 to G2443 condemn G2919 the world; G2889 but G235 that G2443 the world G2889 through G1223 him G846 might be saved. G4982

Psalms 107:6-43 STRONG

Then they cried H6817 unto the LORD H3068 in their trouble, H6862 and he delivered H5337 them out of their distresses. H4691 And he led them forth H1869 by the right H3477 way, H1870 that they might go H3212 to a city H5892 of habitation. H4186 Oh that men would praise H3034 the LORD H3068 for his goodness, H2617 and for his wonderful works H6381 to the children H1121 of men! H120 For he satisfieth H7646 the longing H8264 soul, H5315 and filleth H4390 the hungry H7457 soul H5315 with goodness. H2896 Such as sit H3427 in darkness H2822 and in the shadow of death, H6757 being bound H615 in affliction H6040 and iron; H1270 Because they rebelled H4784 against the words H561 of God, H410 and contemned H5006 the counsel H6098 of the most High: H5945 Therefore he brought down H3665 their heart H3820 with labour; H5999 they fell down, H3782 and there was none to help. H5826 Then they cried H2199 unto the LORD H3068 in their trouble, H6862 and he saved H3467 them out of their distresses. H4691 He brought them out H3318 of darkness H2822 and the shadow of death, H6757 and brake H5423 their bands H4147 in sunder. H5423 Oh that men would praise H3034 the LORD H3068 for his goodness, H2617 and for his wonderful works H6381 to the children H1121 of men! H120 For he hath broken H7665 the gates H1817 of brass, H5178 and cut H1438 the bars H1280 of iron H1270 in sunder. H1438 Fools H191 because H1870 of their transgression, H6588 and because of their iniquities, H5771 are afflicted. H6031 Their soul H5315 abhorreth H8581 all manner of meat; H400 and they draw near H5060 unto the gates H8179 of death. H4194 Then they cry H2199 unto the LORD H3068 in their trouble, H6862 and he saveth H3467 them out of their distresses. H4691 He sent H7971 his word, H1697 and healed H7495 them, and delivered H4422 them from their destructions. H7825 Oh that men would praise H3034 the LORD H3068 for his goodness, H2617 and for his wonderful works H6381 to the children H1121 of men! H120 And let them sacrifice H2076 the sacrifices H2077 of thanksgiving, H8426 and declare H5608 his works H4639 with rejoicing. H7440 They that go down H3381 to the sea H3220 in ships, H591 that do H6213 business H4399 in great H7227 waters; H4325 These see H7200 the works H4639 of the LORD, H3068 and his wonders H6381 in the deep. H4688 For he commandeth, H559 and raiseth H5975 the stormy H5591 wind, H7307 which lifteth up H7311 the waves H1530 thereof. They mount up H5927 to the heaven, H8064 they go down H3381 again to the depths: H8415 their soul H5315 is melted H4127 because of trouble. H7451 They reel to and fro, H2287 and stagger H5128 like a drunken man, H7910 and are at their wits' H2451 end. H1104 Then they cry H6817 unto the LORD H3068 in their trouble, H6862 and he bringeth them out H3318 of their distresses. H4691 He maketh H6965 the storm H5591 a calm, H1827 so that the waves H1530 thereof are still. H2814 Then are they glad H8055 because they be quiet; H8367 so he bringeth H5148 them unto their desired H2656 haven. H4231 Oh that men would praise H3034 the LORD H3068 for his goodness, H2617 and for his wonderful works H6381 to the children H1121 of men! H120 Let them exalt H7311 him also in the congregation H6951 of the people, H5971 and praise H1984 him in the assembly H4186 of the elders. H2205 He turneth H7760 rivers H5104 into a wilderness, H4057 and the watersprings H4325 H4161 into dry ground; H6774 A fruitful H6529 land H776 into barrenness, H4420 for the wickedness H7451 of them that dwell H3427 therein. He turneth H7760 the wilderness H4057 into a standing H98 water, H4325 and dry H6723 ground H776 into watersprings. H4325 H4161 And there he maketh the hungry H7457 to dwell, H3427 that they may prepare H3559 a city H5892 for habitation; H4186 And sow H2232 the fields, H7704 and plant H5193 vineyards, H3754 which may yield H6213 fruits H6529 of increase. H8393 He blesseth H1288 them also, so that they are multiplied H7235 greatly; H3966 and suffereth H4591 not their cattle H929 to decrease. H4591 Again, they are minished H4591 and brought low H7817 through oppression, H6115 affliction, H7451 and sorrow. H3015 He poureth H8210 contempt H937 upon princes, H5081 and causeth them to wander H8582 in the wilderness, H8414 where there is no way. H1870 Yet setteth he the poor H34 on high H7682 from affliction, H6040 and maketh H7760 him families H4940 like a flock. H6629 The righteous H3477 shall see H7200 it, and rejoice: H8055 and all iniquity H5766 shall stop H7092 her mouth. H6310 Whoso is wise, H2450 and will observe H8104 these things, even they shall understand H995 the lovingkindness H2617 of the LORD. H3068

Isaiah 45:21-22 STRONG

Tell H5046 ye, and bring them near; H5066 yea, let them take counsel H3289 together: H3162 who hath declared H8085 this from ancient time? H6924 who hath told H5046 it from that time? have not I the LORD? H3068 and there is no God H430 else beside H1107 me; a just H6662 God H410 and a Saviour; H3467 there is none H369 beside H2108 me. Look H6437 unto me, and be ye saved, H3467 all the ends H657 of the earth: H776 for I am God, H410 and there is none else.

Romans 15:12-13 STRONG

And G2532 again, G3825 Esaias G2268 saith, G3004 There shall be G2071 a root G4491 of Jesse, G2421 and G2532 he that shall rise G450 to reign over G757 the Gentiles; G1484 in G1909 him G846 shall G1679 the Gentiles G1484 trust. G1679 Now G1161 the God G2316 of hope G1680 fill G4137 you G5209 with all G3956 joy G5479 and G2532 peace G1515 in G1722 believing, G4100 that G1519 ye G5209 may abound G4052 in G1722 hope, G1680 through G1722 the power G1411 of the Holy G40 Ghost. G4151

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 STRONG

We are troubled G2346 on G1722 every side, G3956 yet G235 not G3756 distressed; G4729 we are perplexed, G639 but G235 not G3756 in despair; G1820 Persecuted, G1377 but G235 not G3756 forsaken; G1459 cast down, G2598 but G235 not G3756 destroyed; G622 Always G3842 bearing about G4064 in G1722 the body G4983 the dying G3500 of the Lord G2962 Jesus, G2424 that G2443 the life G2222 also G2532 of Jesus G2424 might be made manifest G5319 in G1722 our G2257 body. G4983

2 Timothy 2:9-10 STRONG

Wherein G1722 G3739 I suffer trouble, G2553 as G5613 an evil doer, G2557 even unto G3360 bonds; G1199 but G235 the word G3056 of God G2316 is G1210 not G3756 bound. G1210 Therefore G1223 G5124 I endure G5278 all things G3956 for G1588 the elect's G1588 sakes, G1223 that G2443 they G846 may G5177 also G2532 obtain G5177 the salvation G4991 which G3588 is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 with G3326 eternal G166 glory. G1391

1 Peter 4:14-15 STRONG

If G1487 ye be reproached G3679 for G1722 the name G3686 of Christ, G5547 happy G3107 are ye; for G3754 the spirit G4151 of glory G1391 and G2532 of God G2316 resteth G373 upon G1909 you: G5209 on G2596 G3303 their part G846 he is evil spoken of, G987 but G1161 on G2596 your part G5209 he is glorified. G1392 But G1063 let G3958 none G3361 G5100 of you G5216 suffer G3958 as G5613 a murderer, G5406 or G2228 as a thief, G2812 or G2228 as an evildoer, G2555 or G2228 as G5613 a busybody in other men's matters. G244

1 John 5:10-13 STRONG

He that believeth G4100 on G1519 the Son G5207 of God G2316 hath G2192 the witness G3141 in G1722 himself: G1438 he that believeth G4100 not G3361 God G2316 hath made G4160 him G846 a liar; G5583 because G3754 he believeth G4100 not G3756 G1519 the record G3141 that G3739 God G2316 gave G3140 of G4012 his G846 Son. G5207 And G2532 this G3778 is G2076 the record, G3141 that G3754 God G2316 hath given G1325 to us G2254 eternal G166 life, G2222 and G2532 this G3778 life G2222 is G2076 in G1722 his G846 Son. G5207 He that hath G2192 the Son G5207 hath G2192 life; G2222 and he that hath G2192 not G3361 the Son G5207 of God G2316 hath G2192 not G3756 life. G2222 These things G5023 have I written G1125 unto you G5213 that believe G4100 on G1519 the name G3686 of the Son G5207 of God; G2316 that G2443 ye may know G1492 that ye G3754 have G2192 eternal G166 life, G2222 and G2532 that G2443 ye may believe G4100 on G1519 the name G3686 of the Son G5207 of God. G2316

1 Corinthians 4:9-13 STRONG

For G1063 I think G1380 that G3754 God G2316 hath set forth G584 us G2248 the apostles G652 last, G2078 as G5613 it were appointed to death: G1935 for G3754 we are made G1096 a spectacle G2302 unto the world, G2889 and G2532 to angels, G32 and G2532 to men. G444 We G2249 are fools G3474 for G1223 Christ's G5547 sake, G1223 but G1161 ye G5210 are wise G5429 in G1722 Christ; G5547 we G2249 are weak, G772 but G1161 ye G5210 are strong; G2478 ye G5210 are honourable, G1741 but G1161 we G2249 are despised. G820 Even G891 unto this present G737 hour G5610 we G3983 both G2532 hunger, G3983 and G2532 thirst, G1372 and G2532 are naked, G1130 and G2532 are buffeted, G2852 and G2532 have no certain dwellingplace; G790 And G2532 labour, G2872 working G2038 with our own G2398 hands: G5495 being reviled, G3058 we bless; G2127 being persecuted, G1377 we suffer it: G430 Being defamed, G987 we intreat: G3870 we are made G1096 as G5613 the filth G4027 of the world, G2889 and are the offscouring G4067 of all things G3956 unto G2193 this day. G737

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 STRONG

Giving G1325 no G3367 offence G4349 in G1722 any thing, G3367 that G3363 the ministry G1248 be G3469 not G3363 blamed: G3469 But G235 in G1722 all G3956 things approving G4921 ourselves G1438 as G5613 the ministers G1249 of God, G2316 in G1722 much G4183 patience, G5281 in G1722 afflictions, G2347 in G1722 necessities, G318 in G1722 distresses, G4730 In G1722 stripes, G4127 in G1722 imprisonments, G5438 in G1722 tumults, G181 in G1722 labours, G2873 in G1722 watchings, G70 in G1722 fastings; G3521 By G1722 pureness, G54 by G1722 knowledge, G1108 by G1722 longsuffering, G3115 by G1722 kindness, G5544 by G1722 the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 by G1722 love G26 unfeigned, G505 By G1722 the word G3056 of truth, G225 by G1722 the power G1411 of God, G2316 by G1223 the armour G3696 of righteousness G1343 on the right hand G1188 and G2532 on the left, G710 By G1223 honour G1391 and G2532 dishonour, G819 by G1223 evil report G1426 and G2532 good report: G2162 as G5613 deceivers, G4108 and G2532 yet true; G227 As G5613 unknown, G50 and G2532 yet well known; G1921 as G5613 dying, G599 and, G2532 behold, G2400 we live; G2198 as G5613 chastened, G3811 and G2532 not G3361 killed; G2289 As G5613 sorrowful, G3076 yet G1161 alway G104 rejoicing; G5463 as G5613 poor, G4434 yet G1161 making G4148 many G4183 rich; G4148 as G5613 having G2192 nothing, G3367 and G2532 yet possessing G2722 all things. G3956

2 Timothy 3:10-12 STRONG

But G1161 thou G4771 hast fully known G3877 my G3450 doctrine, G1319 manner of life, G72 purpose, G4286 faith, G4102 longsuffering, G3115 charity, G26 patience, G5281 Persecutions, G1375 afflictions, G3804 which G3634 came G1096 unto me G3427 at G1722 Antioch, G490 at G1722 Iconium, G2430 at G1722 Lystra; G3082 what G3634 persecutions G1375 I endured: G5297 but G2532 out of G1537 them all G3956 the Lord G2962 delivered G4506 me. G3165 Yea, G1161 and G2532 all G3956 that will G2309 live G2198 godly G2153 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 shall suffer persecution. G1377

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Timothy 4

Commentary on 1 Timothy 4 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 4

Paul here foretels,

  • I. A dreadful apostasy (v. 1-3).
  • II. He treats of Christian liberty (v. 4, 5).
  • III. He gives Timothy divers directions with respect to himself, his doctrine, and the people under his care (v. 6-16).

1Ti 4:1-5

We have here a prophecy of the apostasy of the latter times, which he had spoken of as a thing expected and taken for granted among Christians, 2 Th. 2.

  • I. In the close of the foregoing chapter, we had the mystery of godliness summed up; and therefore very fitly, in the beginning of this chapter, we have the mystery of iniquity summed up: The Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith; whether he means the Spirit in the Old Testament, or the Spirit in the prophets of the New Testament, or both. The prophecies concerning antichrist, as well as the prophecies concerning Christ, came from the Spirit. The Spirit in both spoke expressly of a general apostasy from the faith of Christ and the pure worship of God. This should come in the latter times, during the Christian dispensation, for these are called the latter days; in the following ages of the church, for the mystery of iniquity now began to work. Some shall depart from the faith, or there shall be an apostasy from the faith. Some, not all; for in the worst of times God will have a remnant, according to the election of grace. They shall depart from the faith, the faith delivered to the saints (Jude 3), which was delivered at once, the sound doctrine of the gospel. Giving heed to seducing spirits, men who pretended to the Spirit, but were not really guided by the Spirit, 1 Jn. 4:1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, every one who pretends to the Spirit. Now here observe,
    • 1. One of the great instances of the apostasy, namely, giving heed to doctrines of demons, or concerning demons; that is, those doctrines which teach the worship of saints and angels, as a middle sort of deities, between the immortal God and mortal men, such as the heathen called demons, and worshipped under that notion. Now this plainly agrees to the church of Rome, and it was one of the first steps towards that great apostasy, the enshrining of the relics of martyrs, paying divine honours to them, erecting altars, burning incense, consecrating images and temples, and making prayers and praises to the honour of saints departed. This demon-worship is paganism revived, the image of the first beast.
    • 2. The instruments of promoting and propagating this apostasy and delusion.
      • (1.) It will be done by hypocrisy of those that speak lies, the agents and emissaries of Satan, who promote these delusions by lies and forgeries and pretended miracles, v. 2. It is done by their hypocrisy, professing honour to Christ, and yet at the same time fighting against all his anointed offices, and corrupting or profaning all his ordinances. This respects also the hypocrisy of those who have their consciences seared with a red-hot iron, who are perfectly lost to the very first principles of virtue and moral honesty. If men had not their consciences seared as with a hot iron, they could never maintain a power to dispense with oaths for the good of the catholic cause, could never maintain that no faith is to be kept with heretics, could never divest themselves of all remains of humanity and compassion, and clothe themselves with the most barbarous cruelty, under pretence of promoting the interest of the church.
      • (2.) Another part of their character is that they forbid to marry, forbid their clergy to marry, and speak very reproachfully of marriage, though an ordinance of God; and that they command to abstain from meats, and place religion in such abstinence at certain times and seasons, only to exercise a tyranny over the consciences of men.
    • 3. On the whole observe,
      • (1.) The apostasy of the latter times should not surprise us, because it was expressly foretold by the Spirit.
      • (2.) The Spirit is God, otherwise he could not certainly foresee such distant events, which as to us are uncertain and contingent, depending on the tempers, humours, and lusts of men.
      • (3.) The difference between the predictions of the Spirit and the oracles of the heathen is remarkable; the Spirit speaks expressly, but the oracles of the heathen were always doubtful and uncertain.
      • (4.) It is comfortable to think that in such general apostasies all are not carried away, but only some.
      • (5.) It is common for seducers and deceivers to pretend to the Spirit, which is a strong presumption that all are convinced that this is the most likely to work in us an approbation of what pretends to come from the Spirit.
      • (6.) Men must be hardened, and their consciences seared, before they can depart from the faith, and draw in others to side with them.
      • (7.) It is a sign that men have departed from the faith when they will command what God has forbidden, such as saint and angel or demon-worship; and forbid what God has allowed or commanded, such as marriage and meats.
  • II. Having mentioned their hypocritical fastings, the apostle takes occasion to lay down the doctrine of the Christian liberty, which we enjoy under the gospel, of using God's good creatures,-that, whereas under the law there was a distinction of meats between clean and unclean (such sorts of flesh they might eat, and such they might not eat), all this is now taken away; and we are to call nothing common or unclean, Acts 10:15. Here observe,
    • 1. We are to look upon our food as that which God has created; we have it from him, and therefore must use it for him.
    • 2. God, in making those things, had a special regard to those who believe and know the truth, to good Christians, who have a covenant right to the creatures, whereas others have only a common right.
    • 3. What God has created is to be received with thanksgiving. We must not refuse the gifts of God's bounty, nor be scrupulous in making differences where God has made none; but receive them, and be thankful, acknowledging the power of God the Maker of them, and the bounty of God the giver of them: Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, v. 4. This plainly sets us at liberty from all the distinctions of meats appointed by the ceremonial law, as particularly that of swine's flesh, which the Jews were forbidden to eat, but which is allowed to us Christians, by this rule, Every creature of God is good, etc. Observe, God's good creatures are then good, and doubly sweet to us, when they are received with thanksgiving.-For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer, v. 5. It is a desirable thing to have a sanctified use of our creature-comforts. Now they are sanctified to us,
      • (1.) By the word of God; not only his permission, allowing us the liberty of the use of these things, but his promise to feed us with food convenient for us. This gives us a sanctified use of our creature-comforts.
      • (2.) By prayer, which blesses our meat to us. The word of God and prayer must be brought to our common actions and affairs, and then we do all in faith. Here observe,
        • [1.] Every creature is God's, for he made all. Every beast in the forest is mine (says God), and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are mine, Ps. 50:10, 11.
        • [2.] Every creature of God is good: when the blessed God took a survey of all his works, God saw all that was made, and, behold, it was very good, Gen. 1:31.
        • [3.] The blessing of God makes every creature nourishing to us; man lives not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Mt. 4:4), and therefore nothing ought to be refused.
        • [4.] We ought therefore to ask his blessing by prayer, and so to sanctify the creatures we receive by prayer.

1Ti 4:6-16

The apostle would have Timothy to instil into the minds of Christians such sentiments as might prevent their being seduced by the judaizing teachers. Observe, Those are good ministers of Jesus Christ who are diligent in their work; not that study to advance new notions, but that put the brethren in remembrance of those things which they have received and heard. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you knew them, 2 Pt. 1:12. And elsewhere, I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, 2 Pt. 3:1. And, says the apostle Jude, I will therefore put you in remembrance, Jude 5. You see that the apostles and apostolical men reckoned it a main part of their work to put their hearers in remembrance; for we are apt to forget, and slow to learn and remember, the things of God.-Nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. Observe,

  • 1. Even ministers themselves have need to be growing and increasing in the knowledge of Christ and his doctrine: they must be nourished up in the words of faith.
  • 2. The best way for ministers to grow in knowledge and faith is to put the brethren in remembrance; while we teach others, we teach ourselves.
  • 3. Those whom ministers teach are brethren, and are to be treated like brethren; for ministers are not lords of God's heritage.
    • I. Godliness is here pressed upon him and others: Refuse profane and old wives' sayings, v. 7, 8, The Jewish traditions, which some people fill their heads with, have nothing to do with them. But exercise thyself rather unto godliness; that is, mind practical religion. Those who would be godly must exercise themselves unto godliness; it requires a constant exercise. The reason is taken from the fain of godliness; bodily exercise profits little, or for a little time. Abstinence from meats and marriage, and the like, though they pass for acts of mortification and self-denial, yet profit little, they turn to little account. What will it avail us to mortify the body if we do not mortify sin? Observe,
      • 1. There is a great deal to be got by godliness; it will be of use to us in the whole of our life, for it has the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
      • 2. The gain of godliness lies much in the promise: and the promises made to godly people relate to the life that now is, but especially they relate to the life that is to come. Under the Old Testament the promises were mostly of temporal blessings, but under the New Testament of spiritual and eternal blessings. If godly people have but little of the good things of the life that now is, yet it shall be made up to them in the good things of the life that is to come.
      • 3. There were profane and old wives' fables in the days of the apostles; and Timothy, though an excellent man, was not above such a word of advice, Refuse profane, etc.
      • 4. It is not enough that we refuse profane and old wives' fables, but we must exercise ourselves to godliness; we must not only cease to do evil, but we must learn to do well (Isa. 1:16, 17), and we must make a practice of exercising ourselves to godliness. And,
      • 5. Those who are truly godly shall not be losers at last, whatever becomes of those who content themselves with bodily exercise, for godliness has the promise, etc.
    • II. The encouragement which we have to proceed in the ways of godliness, and to exercise ourselves to it, notwithstanding the difficulties and discouragements that we meet with in it. He had said (v. 8) that it is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life which now is. But the question is, Will the profit balance the loss? For, if it will not, it is not profit. Yes, we are sure it will. Here is another of Paul's faithful sayings, worthy of all acceptation-that all our labours and losses in the service of God and the work of religion will be abundantly recompensed, so that though we lose for Christ we shall not lose by him. Therefore we labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, v. 10. Observe,
      • 1. Godly people must labour and expect reproach; they must do well, and yet expect at the same time to suffer ill: toil and trouble are to be expected by us in this world, not only as men, but as saints.
      • 2. Those who labour and suffer reproach in the service of God and the work of religion may depend upon the living God that they shall not lose by it. Let this encourage them, We trust in the living God. The consideration of this, that the God who has undertaken to be our pay-master is the living God, who does himself live for ever and is the fountain of life to all who serve him, should encourage us in all our services and in all our sufferings for him, especially considering that he is the Saviour of all men.
        • (1.) By his providences he protects the persons, and prolongs the lives, of the children of men.
        • (2.) He has a general good-will to the eternal salvation of all men thus far that he is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He desires not the death of sinners; he is thus far the Saviour of all men that none are left in the same desperate condition that fallen angels are in. Now, if he be thus the Saviour of all men, we may hence infer that much more he will be the rewarder of those who seek and serve him; if he has such a good-will for all his creatures, much more will he provide well for those who are new creatures, who are born again. He is the Saviour of all men, but especially of those that believe; and the salvation he has in store for those that believe is sufficient to recompense them for all their services and sufferings. Here we see,
          • [1.] The life of a Christian is a life of labour and suffering: We labour and suffer.
          • [2.] The best we can expect to suffer in the present life is reproach for our well-doing, for our work of faith and labour of love.
          • [3.] True Christians trust in the living God; for cursed is the man that trusts in man, or in any but the living God; and those that trust in him shall never be ashamed. Trust in him at all times.
          • [4.] God is the general Saviour of all men, as he has put them into a salvable state; but he is in a particular manner the Saviour of true believers; there is then a general and a special redemption.
    • III. He concludes the chapter with an exhortation to Timothy,
      • 1. To command and teach these things that he had now been teaching him. "Command them to exercise themselves unto godliness, teach them the profit of it, and that if they serve God they serve one who will be sure to bear them out.'
      • 2. To conduct himself with that gravity and prudence which might gain him respect, notwithstanding his youth: "Let no man despise thy youth; that is, give no man an occasion to despise thy youth.' Men's youth will not be despised if they do not by youthful vanities and follies make themselves despicable; and this men may do who are old, who may therefore thank themselves if they be despised.
      • 3. To confirm his doctrine by a good example: Be thou an example of the believers, etc. Observe, Those who teach by their doctrine must teach by their live, else they pull down with one hand what they build up with the other: they must be examples both in word and conversation. Their discourse must be edifying, and this will be a good example: their conversation must be strict, and this will be a good example: they must be examples in charity, or love to God and all good men, examples in spirit, that is, in spiritual-mindedness, in spiritual worship,-in faith, that is, in the profession of Christian faith,-and in purity or chastity.
      • 4. He charges him to study hard: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, to meditation upon these things, v. 13. Though Timothy had extraordinary gifts, yet he must use ordinary means. Or it may be meant of the public reading of the scriptures; he must read and exhort, that is, read and expound, read and press what he read upon them; he must expound it both by way of exhortation and by way of doctrine; he must teach them both what to do and what to believe. Observe,
        • (1.) Ministers must teach and command the things that they are themselves taught and commanded to do; they must teach people to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded, Mt. 28:20.
        • (2.) The best way for ministers to avoid being despised is to teach and practise the things that are given them in charge. No wonder if ministers are despised who do not teach these things, or who, instead of being examples of good to believers, act directly contrary to the doctrines they preach; for ministers are to be ensamples of their flock.
        • (3.) Those ministers that are the best accomplished for their work must yet mind their studies, that they may be improving in knowledge; and they must mind also their work; they are to give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
      • 5. He charges him to beware of negligence: Neglect not the gift that is in thee, v. 14. The gifts of God will wither if they be neglected. It may be understood either of the office to which he was advanced, or of his qualifications for that office; if of the former, it was ordination in an ordinary way; if of the latter, it was extraordinary. It seems to be the former, for it was by laying on of hands, etc. Here see the scripture-way of ordination: it was by the laying on of hands, and the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Observe, Timothy was ordained by men in office. It was an extraordinary gift that we read of elsewhere as being conferred on him by the laying on of Paul's hands, but he was invested in the office of the ministry by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
        • (1.) We may note, The office of the ministry is a gift, it is the gift of Christ; when he ascended on high, he received gifts for men, and he gave some apostles, and some pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:8, 11), and this was a very kind gift to his church.
        • (2.) Ministers ought not to neglect the gift bestowed upon them, whether by gift we are here to understand the office of the ministry or the qualifications for the office; neither the one nor the other must be neglected.
        • (3.) Though there was a prophecy in the case of Timothy (the gift was given by prophecy), yet this was accompanied by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, that is, a number of presbyters; the office was conveyed to him this way; and I should think here is a sufficient warrant for ordination by presbyters, since it does not appear that Paul was concerned in Timothy's ordination. It is true, extraordinary gifts were conferred on him by the laying on of the apostle's hands (2 Tim. 1:6), but, if he was concerned in his ordination, the presbytery was not excluded, for that is particularly mentioned, whence it seems pretty evident that the presbytery have the inherent power of ordination.
      • 6. Having this work committed to him, he must give himself wholly to it: "Be wholly in those things, that thy profiting may appear.' He was a wise knowing man, and yet must still be profiting, and make it appear that he improved in knowledge. Observe,
        • (1.) Ministers are to be much in meditation. They are to consider beforehand how and what they must speak. They are to meditate on the great trust committed to them, on the worth and value of immortal souls, and on the account they must give at the last.
        • (2.) Ministers must be wholly in these things, they must mind these things as their principal work and business: Give thyself wholly to them.
        • (3.) By this means their profiting will appear in all things, as well a to all persons; this is the way for them to profit in knowledge and grace, and also to profit others.
      • 7. He presses it upon him to be very cautious: "Take heed to thyself and to the doctrine, consider what thou preachest; continue in them, in the truths that thou hast received; and this will be the way to save thyself, and those that hear thee.' Observe,
        • (1.) Ministers are engaged in saving work, which makes it a good work.
        • (2.) The care of ministers should be in the first place to save themselves: "Save thyself in the first place, so shalt thou be instrumental to save those that hear thee.'
        • (3.) Ministers in preaching should aim at the salvation of those that hear them, next to the salvation of their own souls.
        • (4.) The best way to answer both these ends is to take heed to ourselves, etc.