• V ers. 20, 21.-The Church in ita visible aspect before the world. The apostle seems to he answering the question why there are such unworthy members in the visible communion of the Church. I. THE CHURCH IS LIKE A GREAT BOUSE WITH VARIOUS SORTS OJ' VESSELS. "Now in a great house there are nut only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wu"d and of earth; and sume unto honour, and some unto dishonour." 1. It is contended that the great house here is not the Church, but Christendom, that is, all that calls itself Christian, because the Church consists only of saints. 2. It is the Church, however, of which the apostle is speaking in the context, and not the world; but whereas in the last verse it was the invisible Church, it is here the Church visible-that is, the Church in the aspect it presents to the world. The distinction between the Church visible and the Church invisible is clearly recognized in Scripture. The one represents the Church as it is seen by God ; the other, as it is seen by man. The ono represents the Church as to its true idea and constitution; the other, as it has appeared in the worl,I as a mixed com- munion. The Church visible appears like a great house with two distinct kinds of vessels-some very precious and durable, others comparatively valueless, easily and soou broken. There are vessels for honour a11d vessels for dishonour. The idea is much the same as that of the drag-net in the parable (Matt. xiii. 47-49). II. 'l'HE DUTY OF SEPARATION FROM THE VESSELS OF' DISHONOUR. .. If a man there- fore purgo himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, meet for the Master's use, prepared unto every good work." The thought of separation from the false teachers was, no doubt, uppermost in the a!JOStle's mind, but it has a wider scope. I. It is our dutJJ to withdraw from error. This withdrawal may be effeded in several ways. The apostle says to Timothy, "lt'rom such withdraw thyself" (1 Tim. vi. 5); he aays to Titus, "A man that is a heretic avoid" (Titus lii. 10). The separation may take place by the heretic being cast out of communiou; or avoided in the inter- course of life; or, in the last resort, the believer may withdraw himself from the llOCielJ 32 THE SEOOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. [ OR. II, 1-26,
whioh falls to 01111t him out. Or the believer may be called upon to 11 purge hlmself"- terme which 1186m to imply personal defilement in a eeparate walk or holineas and purity. He mnet purge himsolf from heresy and. impurity. 2. The righC dedioaeion and destination of~ ves.~el for honour. (1) He will become II saoctified," in Its double Ben~neecrated to Gud and walking in the purity of a separated life. (2) He will be Bl'rviceable to the Master of the house in all the various ministrieR to which he may be called. (3) He will be prtipared unto every good work. Unlike thti unwit!e and the evil man, who is to nll good works rcprobatt-, he is, as created in Christ Jesus untu good wurka, euaLled to run in the way of the Lord's command- ment&-T. C.
Ver. 22.-The importanoe of a pure and circumspect wal,k. L NEGATIVELY, "Flee you,hful lusts." 1. The.se refer to those passiom and de.~ire,s which are so tempting to yot,IA. They "we.r against the soul," and are most iuimicnl to holi11ess and salvation. The indulgence of oorrupt passious would also lead to serious scandal&. 2. They refer liloewise ui t"'- vehement and h«ulstrong passiOnll which often lead yowng men into foolwi COll,rse&, or to the rage for novelty and the egotistic vanity which so often lead to reli;.:ious errors like those of Hymeneus and Philetus. II. PosITIYELY. "Follow &fter righreoneness, love, p<'ace, with them that call on the Lord uut of a pure heart." 1. Righi,wu,snw;. Fidelity in all human relations especially, but a right manner oflife. Believers are: (1) To yield their members as instru- ments of rigl,teousuess (Rom. vi. 13). (2) To be armed with riihteoueness as a breast- plate (Eph. vi. 14). (3) Righteousness tends to life (Prov. xi. HI). (4) It brings its own reward (i'rov. xi. 18). (5) Its effect is quietness and assurance for ever (Isa. xxxii. li). 2. Loue. Love to all men. (1) It is of God (1 John iv. 7). (2) It is taught by God (1 Thess. iv. 9). (3) It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. v. 22). (4) It ought to be an active and abiding principle (Heb. vi. 10; 1 Cor. viii. 13). (5) The greatesi sacri- fices are nothing without it (1 Cor. xiii. 3). 3. Peaa:. (1) Its nature and advantages (a) It springs from heavenly wisdom (Jas. iii. 17). (b) It ie necessary to the enjoy- ment of life (1 Pet. iii 10, 11). (c) There ie a blessing for the peacemaker (Matt. v. 9). (2) Its objects. "Them that call upon the Lord out of a 1•ure heart." That is, belicvel'li. We are to endeavour lo have peace with all men (Rom. xii. 18). But we are to seek the peace of the Church (Ps. cxxii.. 6-8)--of those who worship Uhrist with all purity of heart, 1111 contm&ted with those "whose mind and conscience are defiled" (Tit1111 i. 15).-T. C. Ver. 23.-.A watr"Tl,ffl!J against contentiowt questioninga. L THE MINIBTBB OF CHRIST KUST AVOID INAPT DISCUSSIONS. "But foolish and ignoraut questions avoid." The false teachers wasted their energies upon question& of this class, because they had no just idea of the relative importance of truth, taking small things for great and great things for email The matters in dispute were useless and unedifying, being foreign to the true wiHdorn of tl,e goepeL Four times in thei;e two Epistles does the apostle repeat this grave warning. II. THE TENDENCY OF sucH DISCUSSION&. "Knowing that they do gender strifes." They break the peace of Churches, alienat.e the hearts of ministers, and impede the progress of the gospel.-T. C. Vers. 24-26.-The imporlance of minister• ctiltivaling a peaaful and for'bearing epwit. L THE TBU& Tt:HPt:B OF THE JilN18TEB OF CHRIST. 1. Negatively. •• The ae"ant of the Lord must not strive." This does not mean that (1) he is not to contend earneHtly for the faith (Jude 4); but (2) that he ie not to fight about trifles, nor to argue with acerbity of temper, nor for mere victory. The "bond of peace" must be maintained in controversy. 2. PuBitiudy. (1) "But be gentle unto all ,nen;" cultivatin~ 11 spirit of habitual conciliat,on, while using arguments of the greatest cogency. (2) 11 Apt to 1.e11eh;" showing capacity e.nd diHposition to in0truct the ignorant and the obstinate. (3) " Patient; " bearing with the infirmities of weak brethren, with the irritating oppo1i- 1iuL1s of advera&ries, e.nd with the reproaches of evil men generally. (4) "In meeknesa illstructing those the.t uppO!!e themeelvee" to the truth as it ill in Jesu1, thwarting or perverting the g011pel. The mi.nillt.er mUBt be ready to ineiruct such persona in a meek 011. n. 1-26.) THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.