A Dying Paul

From: Bible Herald: 1880

• 1 min. read • grade level: 6

2 Timothy illustrates the victory of faith and hope in Paul's soul. He was in prison, forsaken by brethren, apprehensive of the ill condition and of the corning apostasy of the Church; but all was faith and hope in his soul, sure and bright; and in further proof of this victory, he is thoughtful of others. Hope has purified him See like victory in dying Jacob and in dying David (Gen. 47., &c.; 1 Chronicles &c.) See it also in the camp at the close of their journey (Josh. 1-4). Faith overcame all accusing recollections; hope overcame all present attractions in Jacob and David.

The sense of the glory lies so instinctively on Paul's heart that he speaks of it as " that day " indefinitely (chap. 1:12, 18; 4:8). Faith and hope get their perfect victories in the soul of Christ (see Heb. 12:1, 2¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1‑2)). See Him as dying (John 13²And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; (John 13:2), &c.; xix. 27). The Church is always to be thus (Rev. 22:17¹⁷And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)). " The spirit and the bride say, Come,'' &c.

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