Take heed unto thyself,— As Timothy's taking heed to himself through divine grace, and to his teaching of others, and persevering therein, was necessary to his own salvation; so it was necessary in those who were instructed by him, that they, through the same grace of God, should take heed to themselves, practise the duties of the Christian life, and persevere therein; otherwise it was not in Timothy's power to become the instrument of saving them. It seems an obvious remark here, that the salvation of others may, under the blessing of God, have considerable influence upon a man's own salvation; as the better those about him are, the more advantage he has for religious improvement; the fewer hindrances from duty, and temptations to sin. But certainly, the thought chiefly referred to, is, the necessity of acting faithfully in the ministry, if pastors desire to be partakers of the divine promise of salvation; in which persons who betray so important a trust can have no part.
Inferences.—It is melancholy to think of the dreadful apostacies from the faith of the gospel, which have been in all ages; but it need not seem strange to us, since they were foretold by the Spirit of prophesy: and how plainly has that Spirit pointed out the seducing hypocritical arts of falsehood and deceit, which are used, without shame or conscience, by the apostate church of Rome, together with their worshipping of deified saints, forbidding marriages, and prohibiting meats which God created, and allows under the gospel dispensation to be moderately used, with thanksgiving for them, and prayer for his blessing upon them! With what contempt should we reject the errors that are built on uncertain traditions, as we would idle stories which are told to please children! And, instead of trusting in formal bodily services that turn to no good account, how concerned should we be to live in the practice of vital religion, which has a gracious entail of blessings upon it by the promise of God! He, as a bountiful benefactor, affords temporal preservations, deliverances and mercies to mankind in general, and freely offers salvation to all; but, as a covenant God, bestows all spiritual and eternal blessings on every faithful soul. What important truths are these, and how worthy of the most cordial entertainment! With what care should ministers inculcate them on those who are under their charge, for their caution on the one hand, and encouragement on the other; humbly trusting in the ever-living God for their own support and comfort, amidst all the reproaches, difficulties, and labours which they undergo for Christ's sake! And while, together with this, they are exemplary in faith, love, and all holiness, they will hereby approve themselves as good ministers of Jesus Christ, and good proficients in the doctrine and grace of faith. But, in order hereunto, how much diligence ought they to use in studying, reading, and improving the gifts which God has bestowed upon them, and in giving themselves entirely to these exercises, and to preaching and prayer! And what need have they to take heed first to their own state, temper, and conversation, and then to their own doctrine; with perseverance therein, as the means of God's appointment and blessing, for the final salvation of their own souls, and the souls of their hearers!
REFLECTIONS.—1st, We have, in this chapter, the prophesy of that dire apostacy from the faith, which was of old foretold, and which we have seen so strikingly and dreadfully verified in the corruptions of the church of Rome. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, in the prophetic writings, and by us who write under his immediate inspiration, that in the latter times of the present dispensation, some shall depart from the faith; and the marks of this apostacy he describes.
1. The departure will arise from giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, or demons, reviving the errors of Paganism in the worship of angels, dead saints, yea, their very relics, and making these a kind of mediators between God and them.
2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; pretending to great zeal for the church and religion, yet propagating the most damnable heretics, such as justification by the merit of works; and by false legends, and forged miracles, deceiving the souls of the ignorant: having their conscience seared with a hot iron, and stopping at no abominations which may contribute to advance their wicked ends; even consecrating regicide, dispensing with the most solemn oaths, and counting every species of barbarity lawful, yea, laudable, to be perpetrated on those who oppose their destructive ways: witness the blood of martyrs, which, by popish cruelty, has so plentifully dyed this land.
3. Forbidding to marry; speaking dishonourably of the ordinance itself, and forbidding marriage to their clergy, monks, and nuns, in direct contradiction to God's word.
4. Commanding to abstain from meats, under the hypocritical shew of self-denial; forbidding flesh in Lent, and enjoining fish instead of other animal food, which God hath created to be received, and eaten at all times, without distinction of days and seasons, if it be used with moderation and thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing, proper for food, to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified for our use by the word of God, which declares that there is nothing now common or unclean; and by prayer imploring his blessing, that we may use every creature-comfort to his glory. Note; Our common meals should be ever sanctified with devotion, and God's blessing be implored before we presume to use his gifts.
2nd, We have,
1. The apostle's encouraging exhortation. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained: such fidelity to his trust would bring down the blessing of the Lord upon his soul, and prove his own abundant advantage. Note; Nothing is a greater means of edification to a minister's own soul, than his labours for the good of his brethren.
2. He quickens him to diligence in his Christian calling. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, the absurd genealogies and traditions of the Judaizing teachers; and exercise thyself rather unto godliness; strain every nerve to set forth the doctrines and duties of the gospel, and in thine own temper and conduct shew thyself eminently exemplary. For bodily exercise, the most rigid observance of the externals of religion, profiteth little; but godliness, vital, experimental religion, manifested in heart and life, is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, in the sanctified and happy use of worldly comforts, and in the enjoyment of the love of God; and of that which is to come, where God hath prepared for those that love him, such good things as pass man's understanding: this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, as a truth which will be proved infallibly certain by every real Christian; for none will ever have reason to repent a life of godliness. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, undismayed and unshaken, because we trust in the living God, who is able abundantly to fulfil his promises, and is the Saviour of all men, leaving none of them without some testimonies of his goodness, or without such offers of his grace, as are sufficient to engage and direct them so to seek the Lord, that they may find him, Acts 10:35.—but specially of those that believe; by his abundant grace and love bestowing upon them, not only multiplied mercies in this world, but, if they be faithful to death, the inconceivable and eternal blessings of glory in the world to come. Note; Though this world is not our home, nor our portion, yet, even here below, the truly godly are the most happy people.
3. He directs him particularly how to demean himself. These things command and teach with all authority. Let no man despise thy youth, nor give them any occasion to do so; but behave so as to engage and command reverence and respect: and be thou an example of the believers, in word, in all grave and edifying discourse, free from youthful levity; in conversation, strictly religious, and sincerely upright, in charity, fervent towards God, and the souls of men; in spirit, zealous for the cause of Jesus, and abounding in all the fruits of righteousness; in faith unwavering, in profession bold, in purity of heart and conduct, without blemish or suspicion. Till I come, give attendance to reading the scriptures in private, and in the congregation; to exhortation, bringing the word of God home to the consciences of the hearers, with warm application, for the conviction of some, and the consolation and edification of others; to doctrine, clearly stating the great points of the Christian faith, and vindicating them from all opposers. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, but make the best improvement of the abilities with which God hath furnished you, and of the extraordinary gift which was given thee by prophesy, as some inspired men had foretold, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, when you were ordained to the work of the ministry. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, with such evident devotedness of heart, such delight in the service, and such exemplariness of conduct, that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, as a minister and a Christian, and unto thy doctrine, that it may exactly correspond with the gospel word: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. Note; (1.) They who shew themselves examples to the flock, and evidently prove that they believe and practise themselves what they preach to others, though young, will necessarily command respect and reverence; while grey hairs, dishonoured by an unbecoming conduct, will be justly despised. (2.) They who are to teach others, should be much in prayer and reading the scriptures, that they may lay in a fund of useful knowledge, and be full of matter for their public ministrations. An idle minister must needs be an unprofitable preacher. (3.) They who have the charge of immortal souls should be wholly engrossed with this great concern, and give themselves up to their awful employment. (4.) It is our great encouragement to fidelity in the ministry, that not only our own souls shall he saved, but that we shall be made happily instrumental to the eternal salvation of others, who will be our joy and crown in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.