“There is one Mediator.” We do not want Mary, Saints, or any one to turn the heart of the Lord Jesus to us. “The Man Christ Jesus,” Who is spoken of as “King of kings, and Lord of lords” —our great God and Savior Jesus Christ is the one and only Mediator. Oh, the dignity of His Person—what He is in Himself! And He gave Himself a ransom not for “many,” but for all!
Now mark the apostle's declaration, “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher and an apostle.” Did it bring him in a palace and £1,000 a year? No, persecution! “God hath set forth us, the apostles, last, as it were appointed to death. For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels and to men.” This man had been a Jew, and a persecutor, but grace works and he is now a “teacher of the Gentiles, in faith and verity.”
“I will then that the men pray everywhere.” Everywhere, anywhere. Have things on your heart—not only at the prayer meeting. It is indeed distressing to wait there a quarter of an hour in silence when we are there to pray. Have we nothing on our hearts? Holy brethren, hold up holy hands, without wrath or doubting. We want to be and ought to be a blessing. I want to stir you up! Let us “continue instant in prayer.” It is not that sisters are excluded from praying. On the contrary, may they be stirred up to pray among themselves. But there is more than this for them. “In like manner also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety.” There is an honor put on women. “If any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the good behavior of their wives.” Thus may they win by their chaste conduct. “That they adorn themselves... with good works.” We are told later (chap. 5:10) what are good works: bringing up children, lodging strangers, washing saints, feet, relieving the afflicted. There were women who labored with the apostle in the gospel, though certainly not themselves preaching, and the apostle bade the saints “help these women.”
Chap. 6: But suppose I am a servant, and I have a believing master, may I not take an advantage because we are one in Christ? Nay, outside the assembly there are masters and servants and the latter are to count their masters worthy of all honor, “because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.” What benefit? Rather, what is there NOT contained in it? Oh, how the apostle reckons up (vers. 3-5) those who don't submit to these things! We are warned against riches, but these are destitute of the truth. What poverty! What tends to the exaltation of self is a snare to us, but “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Contentment! Alas, ever to have murmured against that blessed God! Bring God into your circumstances. It is great gain. A child of God who has drunk deeply of the grace of Christ here, when he departs will carry that with him. What is the harm of getting rich, do you say? A well known brother once answered, “Only you may lose your soul through it.” Yes, drowned in destruction and perdition—eternal ruin! But “the love of money is a root of all evil” —not the only root, for there are others.
“Thou, O man of God.” It associates itself with the first verse— “the name of God.” Be like Joseph— “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” “Flee these things.” All I have been, was brought out in the cross; now “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,” etc., according to God.
The fight is a good one that we are engaged in, though we may fight very badly. “Lay hold on eternal life.” We have it: lay hold on it. “Keep this commandment.” The danger is of being drawn away to other confidences besides God. But look at the Lord Jesus Christ in Psa. 16. He is our Example. Keep it “till the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” What a day will that be—His public manifestation! Where is the power of the enemy? God the blessed and only Potentate will show His Son in its own times, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then this outburst of praise in ver. 10!
But he warns again of “uncertain riches.” A well accredited bank may go; in contrast, here is “the living God"! Fresh from Himself, He gives us all things, and richly to enjoy! The apostle enjoyed good things We have died with Christ, but we are to receive with thanksgiving what God gives.
Are you piling up your account in the heavenly Savings Bank? It is “a good foundation against the time to come,” when the Lord Jesus will have His rights. The Lord give us grace to hold fast His word. This epistle brings out many “faithful sayings.” May we be delivered from vain babblings
W. N. T.