_LOVE AND ITS SOURCES_ ‘Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.’ 1 Timothy 1:5 What is meant here by ‘the commandment’? In the Greek, the word for ‘commandment’ is the same as that translated ‘charge’ in the third verse, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL_ ‘The glorious gospel (the gospel of the glory R.V.) of the blessed God.’ 1 Timothy 1:11 There were those in Ephesus who contended that the freedom of the gospel released them from the obligations of the moral law. St. Paul, who was called to Europe, besought Timothy to abide... [ Continue Reading ]
_IN TRUST FOR THE GOSPEL_ ‘The gospel … which was committed to my trust.’ 1 Timothy 1:11 The gospel of the glory of the Blessed God, says St. Paul, was committed to my trust. Nothing moved the Apostle more deeply than this. Whenever he alludes to it, it seems to bring him to the very dust. It is... [ Continue Reading ]
_‘THE FAITHFUL SAYING’_ ‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.’ 1 Timothy 1:15 Why should the words ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ be a ‘faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation... [ Continue Reading ]
_A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST_ ‘War a good warfare.’ 1 Timothy 1:18 Every true man is a soldier. His path is one of conflict. As Napoleon carried the nations of Europe at the point of the sword, so the Christian soldier must conquer the kingdom. In order to do this he must be a _ good_ soldier;... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE CHARGE TO TIMOTHY_ ‘This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience.’ 1 Timothy 1:18 Such was the commission which St. Paul laid upon his son Timothy when h... [ Continue Reading ]
_TRUE TO GOD AND TRUE TO SELF_ ‘Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.’ 1 Timothy 1:19 St. Paul explains to Timothy his object in writing to him—to encourage and stimulate him in the battle of life. In the responsibilities cast upon... [ Continue Reading ]