THE EPTSTLES TO TIMOTHY give us the Church as the House of God simply (1 Tim. 3:15,15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15) 2 Tim. 2:2020But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 2:20)). The thought of the Body of Christ is no longer before us; but that of God’s dwelling-place, where we have to walk individually as becomes His holy presence. Hence “godliness,” “holiness,” “good works,” &c., are characteristic words; but “truth,” “doctrine,” “the faith,” are no less cared for. The “elders” or “overseers,” who are to see to the maintenance of these things, and, to a less extent, the “deacons” also, find their special place of prominence in this way.in the first epistle; while in the second, the break-up of this godly order is as striking and characteristic.
“Doctrine,” as the basis of all “godly edifying,” is the very first thing noticed in the first epistle (1:3-5). Legality was the great hindrance, taught by those who had “swerved from” a “pure heart and a good conscience,” as well as “faith unfeigned” (6-11). In his own person, Paul was the living proof of the opposite principle of grace to the chief of sinners; and his case was no exception to God’s rule in general, but contrariwise a “pattern” case (12-17). Timothy, marked out in a special way by prophecy, had the charge of maintaining these principles at Ephesus, “faith and a good conscience” being kept united. Hymenæus and Alexander were examples of those who, having put away the latter, had made shipwreck of the former (18-20)
The instruction as to this charge begins with chapters 2 First, the character of God as a Saviour, desiring the salvation of all men, was to be maintained by his people in their prayers and thanksgiving for all (1-7). Then the distinctive place of man and woman was to be maintained according to the original pattern in their creation, upon which the fall was an instructive commentary (8-15). Next come the qualifications for the overseer’s office, (again the enforcement of godliness) — and then those of the deacon (3:1-13): all this as what suited the house of God, and would show the power of “God manifest” in Christ, the secret (hidden from the world as to its own experience of it, and which they must learn from others) “the mystery,” that is, of all true “godliness” (14-16).
Then follows the solemn prophecy of apostacy, in which faith and conscience would be together wrecked. It would be devils’ work, hypocritically upsetting the order of nature, and denying the goodness of what God had made and instituted from the beginning (4:1-5). Of this Timothy was to warn them, and to take heed to himself as well as his doctrine, that he might both save himself and those who heard him from the dangers round (6-16). Instructions follow as to what was due to age (vss. 1, 2); the relief of widows (3-16); honor due to elders, &c (17-25); the duties of servants (6:1, 2); finally, exhortations as to riches and love of the world. The connection between truth and godliness is insisted on all through.
The second Epistle is a striking contrast to the first, as showing the godly order of the first broken through and lost. All these second epistles (except Corinthians) are supplementary admonitions in view of the evils of the last days coming in, and the general departure from both truth and godliness. Here already things were in ruin. All in Asia had departed from Paul (1:15); the house of God could only be now compared to a great house, wherein there were vessels to dishonor as well as honor (2:20). Already you are told to purge yourself from the former, if you would be the latter (19-21).
Amid all this, individual faith shines out more brightly (1:3-7,16-18). The truth and grace of God abide (8-12), and the wholesome words of apostolic teaching are to be held fast, not only believingly, but “in love” also (13); and, in the strength furnished by the grace of God, to be communicated the more earnestly to others (2:1, 2), spite of hardness to be endured, which only put the more upon Christ’s path (3-13). Already fundamental truth was being denied, and false doctrine bringing forth ungodliness; and this would be so more and more (14-18). Yet God’s foundation stood; although Christians were now little distinct from the world that had come in amongst them, the Lord knew His own, and His path was, to depart from iniquity, purge oneself from vessels to dishonor, and follow righteousness, love, peace with the pure-hearted (19-22), in gentleness and meekness instructing even opposers (23-26).
The picture of the last days which follows, shows no recovery from that condition which the church had fallen into, but perilous times, when all the lusts of the heart should be covered with a cloak of godliness (3:1-10); real godliness persecuted still, and evil men and seducers waxing worse and worse (11-13). In the midst of all the Word of God abides in all its supremacy and sufficiency for the soul of the saint (14-17).
With such a prospect before him, the man of God was to go on, in view of judgment coming upon the whole scene, holding forth that word men set aside, and preferred fables to (4:1-5); and that the more because the voice of the living apostle was now to cease. Only the example remained of one in constant warfare, forsaken of men but strengthened of the Lord, and with the crown of righteousness now laid up for him.
Precious and important lessons for our days, which we shall do well to take heed how we hear.