UNDER THE YOKE; the yoke of servitude or bondage. COUNT THEIR OWN MASTERS WORTHY; manifest towards them a respectful, kind, forgiving, benevolent, Christian spirit. THAT THE NAME OF GOD AND HIS DOCTRINE BE NOT BLASPHEMED; that the wicked may not be led to speak against the Christian religion.... [ Continue Reading ]
BELIEVING MASTERS; Christians. NOT DESPISE THEM; not withhold from them the manifestation of a respectful, obedient, Christian spirit, because they are brethren in Christ. RATHER DO THEM SERVICE; promote their interests the more cheerfully. Galatians 6:10. FAITHFUL; or, as the margin, believing,... [ Continue Reading ]
TEACH OTHERWISE; differently from what Paul had taught as to the duty of Christian servants. THE WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST; about the manifestation of a Christian spirit in all relations and conditions. Matthew 5:39; Matthew 6:12-15; Matthew 18:21-35. ACCORDING TO GODLINESS; that which accord... [ Continue Reading ]
SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS; rather, that godliness is gain: in other words, that the profession of godliness is a business of worldly gain. Compare the case of Simon the sorcerer, Acts 8:18-24; what is said of the false teachers at Corinth, 2 Corinthians 11:20; and of these very "men of corrup... [ Continue Reading ]
GODLINESS-IS GREAT GAIN; the apostle, by a beautiful turn of thought, shows in what sense the proposition is true that godliness is gain. Not the outward form of godliness, but its inward substance with contentment is great gain-gain not of a worldly, but of a spiritual nature. It has the "promise o... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE BROUGHT NOTHING; a reason why we should have the contentment just spoken of. Riches, if we have them, are but a fleeting possession.... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL BE; are resolved and determined to be rich. Another argument against the love of money, drawn from its hurtful nature. FALL INTO TEMPTATION; temptation to be dishonest, or so absorbed with earthly cares as to neglect their souls. A SNARE; one that Satan has set to catch their souls, by leadin... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL; it tempts to the commission of all sorts of evil. SOME; who professed to be Christians. ERRED FROM THE FAITH; wandered away from the faith of the gospel; with the accessory idea of their falling into sinful practices.... [ Continue Reading ]
FLEE THESE THINGS; the love of money, with all its accompanying temptations and sins; never love money, nor be anxious to be rich. One of the most hateful and destructive sins is the supreme love of money, or of that ease, power, and influence which money will procure. A Christian should avoid this... [ Continue Reading ]
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH; the Christian life is here, as often elsewhere, compared to a warfare against sin and Satan. Ephesians 6:11-17; 2 Timothy 2:3. LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE; as on a prize to be obtained by hard struggling. WHEREUNTO; to the gaining of which prize. CALLED; by the grace o... [ Continue Reading ]
WITNESSED A GOOD CONFESSION; he bore his testimony to the truth concerning his person and mission in the face of death. The same steadfast confession he required of Timothy, and requires of all his followers.... [ Continue Reading ]
COMMANDMENT; the whole charge contained in this epistle. WITHOUT SPOT, UNREBUKABLE; the commandment is kept without spot, unrebukable, when it is not marred by an imperfect obedience deserving of censure.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN HIS TIMES, in due time; the proper time. HE SHALL SHOW; God shall make manifest, to whom alone belongs the ordering of the times and seasons. Acts 1:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
IMMORTALITY; in and of himself; life underived, independent, and eternal.... [ Continue Reading ]
A GOOD FOUNDATION; for receiving the everlasting reward of grace in heaven. For this is given only to those who have shown their faith in Christ by being rich in good works towards man. Matthew 25:34-45. Riches are the gift of God, and call for unceasing gratitude to him. They may be, and when right... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WHICH IS COMMITTED TO THY TRUST; the same as the "commandment," verse 1 Timothy 6:14. OPPOSITIONS; contentions and contradictions springing from SCIENCE FALSELY SO CALLED; that is, spurious knowledge that exists only in name; that empty knowledge which puffeth up. 1 Corinthians 8:1. The apostl... [ Continue Reading ]