1 Timothy 61TI 6
What an unworldly chapter this is! At the opening of it, believers are taught not to let their condition in the world avail itself, or make profit of, the fact that they are believers, brethren in Christ. The believing servant is instructed to be still a servant in the honor that he owes his master, and not, in anywise, to avail himself of the fact of his brotherhood in Christ with his master. This is an admonition excellent in itself, and worthy indeed, as this chapter speaks, "of God and His doctrine.”
Thus, in the progress of this same chapter, those who have, and those who have not, the wealth of this world are, severally, exhorted to be unworldly, letting go this present world and grasping the world to come, or eternal life, by the one class being liberally active, and by the other being thoroughly content. These are good and suited words, admonitions, and exhortations, on the subject of unworldliness. But beside this, or in the midst of this, there is a striking commentary on the two worlds, the present, or man's world, and the future, or Christ's world—and this too, in connection with the Lord Jesus Himself.
In the present world, Timothy is exhorted to fight the good fight of faith, to flee the desire of being rich, and to cherish the graces and tempers of the Christian character, and he is exhorted to keep this commandment as "in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.”
But this exhortation tells us, or reminds us, that Jesus, in this world, was a Confessor. He was such a One in the presence of the Roman Governor. He there disclaimed this world.
This Good Confessor
"My kingdom is not of this world," He said to Pontius Pilate. This was a part of His good confession. He surrendered everything He might have had, or could have had, in man's world. The prince of it had nothing in Him. But God, "who quickeneth all things," has prepared a world for Him. He gave up this present world, and God will make Him His representative in power and majesty in a future world. He Himself, dwelling in light which no man can approach unto, will put forth this good Confessor as the Holder and Representative of His dignities and authority as "the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.”
There is something very excellent in this. The present world was the scene that witnessed a poor, humble Confessor at the peril of His life standing to answer for Himself in the presence of the powers of it the future will be the scene where this humble Confessor shall shine as the glorious reflection of God in majesty and authority all the world over.
This is a great sight to see. But let me speak a little further.
Representative
This same Lord Jesus had already in this present world been a Representative One, a Representative of the Father. "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father"— the Lord has already said, though He has not as yet shone as the image of the Potentate, Kings of kings, and Lord of lords. He has already witnessed grace, but not power—grace in God, but not power in the earth. He has already witnessed righteousness in humiliation and suffering; He is to witness it, by and by, in exaltation and authority. When the day of Rev. 19 comes, we shall have Him as a manifestation of the King of kings and Lord of lords.
And notice one other thing that makes distinctions for our profit, and has practical value in it. Speaking as from the bosom of the Church, or the family of heavenly strangers on the earth, the Spirit will say to us through one apostle, "Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: but the rich, in that he is made low." James 1:9, 109Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. (James 1:9‑10). But here in 1 Tim. 6:11Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. (1 Timothy 6:1), speaking as from the place of "God and His doctrine," through another apostle, He will warn the saint not to let his place and relationship in the earth take advantage of his connection with the saints, his brethren in Christ.
How beautiful is everything in its season! How perfect, like gold refined seven times in the fire, is every word that has proceeded out of the mouth of our God! C. H. Mackintosh