What an unworldly chapter, if I may so express myself, 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 any wise to avail himself of the fact of his brotherhood in Christ with his master. This, in itself, is an excellent admonition 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-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 arid 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 when in this world, was a confessor. He was such a One in the presence of the Roman Governor. He there disclaimed this world. "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 authorities as "the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords."
There is something very excellent in this, very fine and admirable indeed. The present world was the scene that witnessed a poor humbled 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 humbled Confessor shall shine as the glorious reflection of God in majesty and authority all the world over.