The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Timothy — Section 102

whioh he is woll instructed, Paul had been the in8tructor of Timothy, and he testifies that hie instructions had hitherto been followed by him. 2. Negative];y. "But refuse profane and old wives' fables," The apostle, we may understand, refers to such doctrines of the current philosophy (mystic in its character) as, mingling with Christianity, would form what was known as Gnosticism. These doctrines, such as that of emana- tions (endless genealogies), were myths, or what had no foundation in reality. They were profane, or fitted to shock religious feeling. They were also anile, or only fit for mindless and credulous old women. Timothy was to resist all tendency to incorporate Eastern mysticism with Christianity. And, when we consider the danger that arose to the Church from this quarter, we must recognize the wisdom of the apostolic advice. II. As TO THE BIClBER GYMNASTIC. "And exercise thyself unto godliness." There was a straining in connection with ascetical exercises. Timothy was also to strain himself, but in such exercises as prayer and meditation, which leaJ to godliness, or the cherishing of right feelings toward God and the practice that is pleasing to him. 1. Bodily gymnastic. "For bodily exercise is profitable for a little." The apostle appa- rently has in his eye such bodily exercise as was associated with asceticism; hut it is as separated from asceticism, not as part of asceticism, that he says it is profitable to a small extent. Of asceticism in this century the most notable example is Lacordaire. "Once in the convent at Chalais, after having delivered an affecting sermon on humility, he felt irresistibly impelled to follow up precept by example. He ea.me down from the pulpit, begged the assembled brethren to treat him with the severity he deserved, and, uncovering his shoulders, received from each of them twenty~fi ve strokes." "The chapter- room of the convent at Flavigny was supported by a. wooden pillar; he made or it a column of flagellation, to which, after confession, he would cause himself to be bound." "In the ancient church of the Carmelites at Paris, there is a certain crypt or subter- ranean chapel, in which, one Good Friday, he raised a cross, and, bound to it with cords, remained upon it three hours." The apostle views asceticism in respect of bodily exercise. For, although it may not always exalt it into a religion, yet it lays great stress on it as a means of suppressing the corruption of the heart, of entering into sympathy with the crucified Saviour, and of making atonement for the sins of men. The apostle lays bold upon this, and says that it is profitable to a. small extent. It is profitable for the health of the body, for the improvement of its powers, for the obtain- ing of a living. It may even be allowed to have a beari!lg, not by itself, but in connPction with right principle, on holy living (1 Cor. ix. 27). 2. The gymnastic that is universally profitable. "But godliness is profitable for all things." The apostle re)!a.rds it as recommended by its profitableness. "It is that which will exceedingly turn to account, and bring in gains unto us exceedingly vast; in comparison whereto all other desi.(ns, which men with so much care and toil do pursue, are very unprofitable or detrimental, yielding but shadows of profit or bringing real damage to us. Godliness enables a man to judge of things in their true nature flnd proportions, and to fulfil bis duties in all his relations. It enables him to act uniformly, so that he understands what he is doing, and can make himself understood. It enables a man to act in his own best interest." "If we mark what preserveth the body sound and lusty, what keepeth the mind vigorous and brisk, what saveth and improveth the estate, what upholdeth the good name, what guardeth and graceth a man's whole life,-it is nothing else but proceeding in our demeanour and dealings according to the honest and wise rules of piety." It fits a man for all conditions, makes him humble, grateful, and faithful in prosperity, makes a man trustful, and full of comfort in adversity. It furnishes us with fit employment, "alone fastenetb our thoughts, affections, and endeavours upon occupations worthy the dignity of our nature, suiting the excellency of our natural capacities and endowments, ten,ling to the perfection and advancement of our reason, to the enriching and ennobling of our souls." It furuishes us with the best friendships. It is said even, "Thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee." It unites us to good men iu holy communion. It makes our friends doubly precious to us. (1) lts profitableness/0'1' this life. "Having promise of the life which now is.'' GrnUiness has a tendency to promote a man's earthly good, in waking him industrious, temµerate, prudent. On the other hand, there are respects in which it may be said to hinder his earthly g_ood. It keeps hi~ back f~om that g~eed whi_ch would lead him to devote his whole time to worldly busrness, which would turb1J him  THE FIR~T EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. [cu. 1v. 1-16