The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Timothy — Section 105

then, in all its authoritativeness, and in the fulness of the qualifioatlon in a special influence of the Spirit, the gift wl\S imparted to him. There were two coexistent cir- cumstances which entered into the ornination. The first was ea:traordinary in its nature, viz. prophecy, or any inspired utterance. Apparently it amounted to an intimation to the assembled congregation that Timothy was really called, and there and then fully endowed. The second concomitant, or circumstance entering into the ordina1ion, was the laying-on of the hands of the presbytery. This was ordinary, and therefore continues to be connected with ordination, prophecy being represented by the ordination prayer and address. The presbytery then apparently consisted of the elders of the particular congregation in connection with which the ordination took place. As we learn from the Second Epistle, Paul was associated with them. It is to be noted that ruling elders took part in ordaining a teaching elder. The imposition of hands is. symbolic of the impartation of a gift. Christ employs those who have been themselves gifted by him to be the medium of imparting his gift to others. The ministerial gift Timothy was not to neglect or to allow to be unused. We have read of fishes inhabiting the water of a dark cave tliat, never needing to use their eyes, eventually, after successive generations of them, a modification has been produced in their organism. And there not being the need, nature has ceased to make provision for it, the strange spectacle being presented of an eyeless race. So, for want of use, pleading for Christ would become a lOllt gift to him. V. DIRECTION AS TO HIS APPLYING Bil[SELF. "Be diligent in these thinl!;S; give thyself whoUy to them; that thy pro~ress may be manifest unto all." Paul had not the idea that a communication of the Holy Spirit superseded application. After saying that the gift in Timothy was not to lie unused. he now says that he was to be diligent in these things, viz. in the duties of his calling, as set down in the thirteenth verse. And, in the way of strengthening this, he adds that he was to give himself wholly to them. A minister has to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the meaning of Scripture, in order that he may open it to others. He has to know how to apply Scripture truth to the wants of his people, that he may incite them to right action. This he cannot well do along with the demands of a secular business. He needs to have his whole time to devote to it, and he needs, in the time that he has, to put out to purpose his whole strength. Close application will soon tell. His profiting will appear in a more skilful handling of the Word, in a more earnest pleading with souls. VI. RECAPITULATION WITH ENFOBOEMENT. "Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt eave both thyself and them that hear thee." He first recapitulates what was said in ver. 12. "Take heed to thyself.n A minister is to take heed to himself, that be is really a subject of saving grace, that he is making satisfactory increase in grace, that his conduct does not run counter to his teaching. He next recapitulates what is said in ver. 13. "And to thy teaching." A minister is to see that he makes every endeavour t.o bring out the mean- ina of the Word of God, and to bring it to bear upon the wants of his hearers. Having th~ recapitule.t~d, he makes it stronger hy adding, "Continue in these thi~gs," viz. ,u his private and public exercises. And a minister is encouraged t.o do thi~ by the ::onsideration that, in doing this, be shall save the souls of them that hear _him. He shall reach his en<i; and what a felicity to be the means, under God, of savmg souls I He can oDly expect to do this by exacting from himself a high standard of living and of preaching. And, through this, he shall reach the end of his own ~alvaUon. He has to win or lose, as well as his hearers. "And many shall say at that day, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy Name?" who Hhall be answered with, "I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." He has the same evil heart to contend with. "Sin dwelletb in us when we have preached never so much against it; one degree prepareth the heart for another, and oue sin inclineth the mind to more." He may expect to be more severely tempted t.hu others, as the honour of Chriat liell more on hiw than UD oiherL-B. F. OH, V, l-:J6,) THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. 96