Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 Thessalonians 2 Timothy
1 Timothy 4
Concise Complete
Of departures from the faith that began already to
appear. (1-5) Several directions, with motives for due discharge of duties.
(6-16)
Verses 1-5 The
Holy Spirit, both in the Old and the New Testament, spoke of a general turning
from the faith of Christ, and the pure worship of God. This should come during
the Christian dispensation, for those are called the latter days. False teachers
forbid as evil what God has allowed, and command as a duty what he has left
indifferent. We find exercise for watchfulness and self-denial, in attending to
the requirements of God's law, without being tasked to imaginary duties, which
reject what he has allowed. But nothing justifies an intemperate or improper use
of things; and nothing will be good to us, unless we seek by prayer for the
Lord's blessing upon it.
Verses 6-10
Outward acts of self-denial profit little. What will it avail us to mortify the
body, if we do not mortify sin? No diligence in mere outward things could be of
much use. The gain of godliness lies much in the promise; and the promises to
godly people relate partly to the life that now is, but especially to the life
which is to come: though we lose for Christ, we shall not lose by him. If Christ
be thus the Saviour of all men, then much more will he be the Rewarder of those
who seek and serve him; he will provide well for those whom he has made new
creatures.
Verses 11-16
Men's youth will not be despised, if they keep from vanities and follies. Those
who teach by their doctrine, must teach by their life. Their discourse must be
edifying; their conversation must be holy; they must be examples of love to God
and all good men, examples of spiritual-mindedness. Ministers must mind these
things as their principal work and business. By this means their profiting will
appear in all things, as well as to all persons; this is the way to profit in
knowledge and grace, and also to profit others. The doctrine of a minister of
Christ must be scriptural, clear, evangelical, and practical; well stated,
explained, defended, and applied. But these duties leave no leisure for wordly
pleasures, trifling visits, or idle conversation, and but little for what is
mere amusement, and only ornamental. May every believer be enabled to let his
profiting appear unto all men; seeking to experience the power of the gospel in
his own soul, and to bring forth its fruits in his life.
Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 Thessalonians 2 Timothy
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
