The First Epistle to Timothy
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Introduction[i]
The
Epistles to Timothy and Titus have naturally a peculiar bearing and character,
being addressed to persons deputed by the apostle to act in his name, or to care
for the churches during his absence. Their application to us is none the less
direct on this account, because they not only instruct us with regard to the
state of the church, and the pastoral care which the apostle bestowed on it,
but the line of conduct in which Timothy is charged to lead the faithful is
that which the faithful ought always themselves to follow. Nevertheless to
confound the directions given to Timothy and Titus with the words addressed
immediately to the faithful, would be to cast confusion upon ministry in its
best sense.
A
great part of this First Epistle to Timothy requires but little development;
not because it is without importance but because it contains directions — so
plain and simple that explanation would be superfluous — and practical
exhortations which would only be obscured and their force and point taken away
by attempting to enlarge upon them.
On
the other hand, some general principles of great importance for the position of
the assembly in general are contained in this epistle.
God
assumes here, in a peculiar way, the character of a Saviour-God with regard to
the world: a principle of great importance in all that concerns our
conversation in the world and our intercourse with men. We represent in our
religious character a God of love. This was not the case in Judaism. He was
indeed the same God; but there He took the character of a Lawgiver. All were
indeed to come to His temple according to the declaration of the prophets, and
His temple was open to them; but He did not characterise Himself as a
Saviour-God for all. In Titus we find the same expression.
In these confidential communications to his dear children
in the faith and companions in the work, we can understand that the apostle
would clearly establish the great principles on which the administration
committed to him rested. That all men were the objects of God's dealings in
grace was the general basis on which this administration was founded — that the
character of God towards the world was that of a Saviour. (Compare 2 Cor. 5)
The law has its place and it still has it, as the apostle shews — the
conviction of unrighteous men. [1] But the
sovereign mercy of God was the starting-point of all that the apostle had to
declare. This thought, this spirit, was to govern the worship even of
believers. Details follow. Not withstanding this love to the world, there was
upon the earth an assembly of the living God, the pillar and support of the
truth, and the witness to it on earth.The Person of Christ, and all that
concerns Him, is the subject of its confession, the foundation of its
existence, and the object of its faith. This faith would be assailed in the
last days by the enemy, who, under the pretense of sanctity, would set himself
up against God the Creator and Preserver of all men and of believers in
particular. Directions for the walk of the assembly compose the remainder of
the epistle. Conduct suitable to all is set before Timothy to make him, as well
as ourselves, understand that which befits the assembly of God.
Note #1
Not here, specially, that any one is under it, or that it is a rule of life for a people of God, but a rule of right and wrong to demonstrate evil to any conscience. In Verse 5 (1Ti_1:5) we have the end of the commission of the gospel on the other hand, partaking of the divine nature — love and holiness, acting up to responsibility, a good conscience and the heart fully devoted to God, receiving His word and trusting Him.