The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Timothy — Section 8

faitll. 11 Unfeigned." Timothy was "a.n Israelite Indeed," who believed with the heart unto righteousness, his faith working by love to God and man, and accompanied by good works. 2. Its permanent chamcter. "It dwelt in him." Faith is an abiding graoe; Chriijt, who is its Author, i1 also its Finisher; and salvation is inseparably con- nected with it. 3. TM BmJjects of this faith. "First in thy grandmother Lois and In thy mother Eunice." (1) Lois was his grandmother by the mother's side, for his father was a Greek; and Eunice, his mother, was probably conTerted at Lystra, at no great distance from Tarsus, the native city of the apostle (Acts xvi. 1; :r.iv. 6). (a) It ls pleasant to see faith transmitted through three generations. It is sin, and not grace that is easily transmitted by blood. But when we are" born, not of blood, but of God,n we have reason t0 be thankful, like the apostle, for such a display of rich family mercy. (b) We see here the advantages of a pious education, for it was from the persons named tie obtained in his youth that knowledge of the Scriptures which made him wise unto salvation (eh. iii. 15). (c) How often Christian mothers have given remarkable sons to the ministry of God's Church I (Augustine and Monica.) (2) Timothy was himulf a subject of this faith. He did not break of!' the happy continuity of grace ill his family, but worthily perpetuated the best type of ancestral piety.-T. 0. Ver. 6.-The apostk'• admonition f,o Timothy t,o stir up the gift of God 'Within him. It was because or his persnasion of Timothy's faith, and perhaps of the apprehension that the young disciple had been depressed by his own long imprisonment, that he addressed him in this manner. L THE SPIB.ITUAL GIFTS POSSESSED BY TnloTHY. "Wherefore I put thee in remem- brance to stir up the gift of God which is in thee by means of the laying on of my hands." 1. Be refers to the special gift received by Timothy with a view to hit office a, an evangelist. It wa.s not anything either natural or acquired, but something bestowed by the Spirit of God which would fit him for teaching aod ruling the Church of God. 2. It W<U conferred by the hands of the apostle along with the presbytery (1 Tim. iv. 14). II. 'l'HE !."'ECESSITY OF STIRBING UP THIS SPIRITUAL GIFT. 1. It is possible there may have been some tilaclme.ss or decline of power on Timothy's part, arising from various causes of discouragement, to make this injunction neceB88ry. 2. The gift was to be stirred up by reading, meditation, and prayer, so that he might be enabled, with fresh zeal, to reform the abuses of the Church and endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. -T.C. Ver. 7.-The Divine f-<JUipmentfor arduou, ~'"the <Jlmrch. The apostle here adds a reason for the injunction just given. L NEGATIVELY. "For God did not give us the spirit of cowardice." 1. Thia refer• to the time of the ordination of Timothy and of the apostle. Courage is an essen- tial qualification for ministers of the gospel 2. Cowardice is unworthy of those who I.ave ree.eived the gospel, in trwt. The fear of man has a very wide domioion, but those who fear God ought to know no other fear. (1) This fear tends to unworthy compli- ances. (2) Trust in God is a preservation from fear (Ps. xxvii. 1). (3) Our Lord exhorts us strongly against such fear (John xiv. 27). II. Po81TIVELY. "But of power, and of love, a.nd of self-control." 1. The spirit o/ pOUJtlf", as opposed to the weakness of cowardice; for the servants of Christ a.re fortified against persecutioos and reproaches, a.re enabled to endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ, and to quit themeelves like men. 2. The spirit of love. This will make them earnest in their care for souls, indefatigable in labours, fearless in the midst of trying exigencies, and self-ea.crincing in love. 3. The spirit of self-control. This will enable the servant of Christ to keep his whole beiog in subjection to the Lord, apart from all the solicitations of the world, and to regulate life with a due regard to its duties, its labours, and its cares.-T. 0. Ver. B.-Warntng to Timothy not to be ashamed of the goapel, nor to ahrinlo from afflictiona. This exhortation iH dependent upon the previous counsel. I. 'I'BE MINISTER OF Goo MUST NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL. "Be not thou there- fore a.shamed of the testimouy of the Lord, nor of me his prisoner." 1. The tutimony of tl~ !Ard is lhat borne concerning hia doctrine, auffmnga, and dtAth; in • word, the OB, I, 1-18.] THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. 9