The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Timothy — Section 7

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1, 2.-The apostle's addrl!88 and greeting. This Epistle, which has been well described as "the last will and testament" of the apostle, written as it was under the very shadow of death, opens with a touching evidence of personal interest in Timothy. L THE ORIGIN AND DESIGN OF THE APOSTLESHIP. "Pa.al, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God." 1. He was an apostle. (1) Not by the will of man, even of other apostles. (2) Nor by his own will; for he did not take this honour upon him- self. (3) Nor was it owing to his persona.I merits; for he :ilwa.ys speaks of it as "the grace of apostleship." ( 4) He was an apostle by the will of G<>d, whose " chosen vessel" he was for this purpose. 2. The design of his apostleship was "acwrding to the promise of life which is in Ohrist Jesus." Its design was to make known this promise. (1) It was life eternal; (2) promised in Christ Jesus, because (a) it was" promised before the world began" (Titus i. 2); (b) in Obrist, who is the Prince of life, who procured it, who applies it by his Spirit. II. THE PERSON ADDBESSED. "To Timothy, my beloved son." Not, llB in the former Epistle, "my true son," but a son specially dear to him in view of the approaching severance of the earthly tie that bound them together. III. THE GREETING. "Grace, mercy, and peace." (See homiletical hillts on 1 Tim. i. 2.)-T. 0. Vere. 3-5.-Thankful declaration of love and nmemln-ance of Timothy'a faith. I. THE APOSTLE'S AFFECTIONATE INTEREST IN llIS YOUNG DISCIPLE. .. I give thanks to God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, as unceasing is the remembrance I have of thee in my prayers night anu. day; greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy." 1. The apostle begins all Epistles with the langv.age of thanksgiving. God is the Object of thanksgiving, both as God of nature and as God of grace, and there is no blessing we have received that ought not to be thankf)illy acknowledged. 2. It is allowable for a good man to take pleasure in the thought of a consistently ccmscientiO'l/,8 career. His service of God was according to the principles and feelings he inherited from his ancestors "in a pure con- science" (Acts xxiii. 1; xxiv. 14). 3. Ministers cnsght to be much engaged in prayer for one another so as to strengthen each others hands. 4. The thcnsght of approaching death makes 'US long to see the friends who have been most endeared to us in life. (I) The apostle remembered Timothy's sorrow at their last parting. (2) Though he ha,1 commanded him before to stay at Ephesus, he now desired to see him, becanse he w~~ alone in prison, with Luke as his only companion. (3) The sig'llt of Timothy in Rome would fill him with joy beyond that imparte& by all the other friends and compan.ious of hit apostolio life. II. THE APOSTLE'S THANKSGIVING FOR T1140THY's FAITH. "Being put In remem- brance of the unfeigned faith that is in thee, whioh dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded ~at also in thee." 1. The quality qf this  THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. [oB. J. 1-18.