The House of God: A Book of Meditations on the First Epistle of Paul to Timothy for Students of the Gospel Ministry

Preface

In the course of examining my own life and labor as a Minister of the Gospel, I was greatly challenged by hearing Dr. A.N. Martin of New Jersey expounding and applying 1 Timothy 4:11–16 during a one day conference for pastors at Canton, Michigan, in the United States. It seemed to me that the Spirit of grace had led the preacher into applications of particularly pertinent personal and practical help for my soul and service.

As I later reviewed my notes and the passage so expounded, I noted this directive from the Apostle:

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (1 Timothy 4:15).

It was thus laid upon my heart that I should give myself to extended, prayerful reflection and rumination upon this Epistle in light of the whole counsel of God in Holy Scripture, as the Holy Ghost might grant me light and leading.

The exercises of devotional meditation which followed this course began on 1 January 2006 and closed on 25 May 2008. They are here presented in a form slightly edited to allow for weekly reading by my brethren in the ministry and by students seeking to prepare for the good work of a bishop, elder, pastor, and teacher in the house of God.

Each section supplies an original hymn. A course of select Bible readings covers the words and works of leading men of God in the Old Testament, many of the richest portions of the New Testament, and the whole Psalter. Finally, there is a meditation on a portion of 1 Timothy. To these 145 devotions have been added 12 short devotional pieces written for magazines and local church bulletins under the heading From My Bible. The book can thus serve as a weekly companion to a seminarian for three years of training. In addition, I would warmly commend to any student of the ministry unfamiliar with the Heidelberg Catechism to read and reflect upon its 52 Lord’s Days each year of his studies.

This is neither an exegetical commentary nor a series of expository sermons. While I have on occasion consulted lexicon and concordance to ascertain more clearly the intent of the sacred text, I have not attempted an academic work here. I have sought throughout to mull over and assimilate to my heart the words of life in their immediate import to my own soul. I invite the reader to share my experience by retaining the first person. I hope I have not strayed far from the simple truths that offer themselves at once to the devout mind, nor in any way wrested the Scriptures.

In humble hope that reading these Meditations may accrue to others some of the profit I have experienced in writing them, I now offer them to those who labor for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. May we all know the blessedness of that man who meditates in the Law of the Lord day and night (Josh 1:8; Psalm 1).

Affectionately yours in the Lord Jesus, our faithful Savior,

Rev. John Peter Bodner M.A., M.Div.

Pastor, Hope Assembly, Mississauga, Canada

First Epistle of Paul to Timothy

Salutation—1:1–2

1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Charge to Keep Sound Doctrine: Law and Gospel—1:3–20

3As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Exhortation to Prayer—2:1–7

2:1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

Men and Women at Public Worship—2:8–15

8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

The Offices: Bishop and Deacons—3:1–13

3:1This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The House of God; The Mystery of Godliness—3:14–16

14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 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. 16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifest in the flesh,

justified in the Spirit,

seen of angels,

preached unto the Gentiles,

believed on in the world,

received up into glory.

The Latter Times; A Good Minister of Jesus Christ—4:1–10

4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

9This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

These Things Command and Teach—4:11–16

11These things command and teach.

12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Father, Brethren, Mothers, Sisters—5:1–2

5:1Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Widows Indeed—5:3–16

3Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

7And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

9Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

11But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

The Elders—5:17–25

17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

21I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

24Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Servants and Masters—6:1–2

6:1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.

Wholesome Words: Love of Money and Contentment—6:2–12

2These things teach and exhort. 3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

A Charge to Keep—6:13–16

13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

The Rich in this World: Rich in Good Works—6:17–19

17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Farewell: Grace—6:20

20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.

Grace be with thee. Amen.

1. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

1 Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Praise our God forevermore

Saints and angels, earth and heaven,

Worship, bless Him and adore:

O declare His glory now

Till to Him all nations bow!

2 Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Tell the sovereign, boundless love

Of our God, th’Almighty Father

Who in mercy, from above

Gave His own beloved Son

For the sins which we had done!

3 Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Sound the Name of Jesus Christ,

God th’incarnate Son, our Savior,

Only Prophet, King and Priest

Who to save us, once hath bled,

Died, and risen from the dead!

4 Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Now the Holy Spirit laud

Who through prophets and apostles

Breathed the oracles of God,

Witness with the written Word

Unto Christ our risen Lord!

5 Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

One true living God proclaim,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Who possess the Sacred Name

Of Jehovah: at His throne

Bow and worship Him alone!

8.7.8.7.7.7.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 12 New Testament: Matthew 1 Psalm: 1

1 Timothy : Reading the entire Epistle

The Book of God is in my hand—the Holy Scriptures. Let me pray that God may be pleased to give me freely the mind of Christ in these words which the Holy Ghost teaches. And let me prayerfully, slowly, thoughtfully take up and read this whole Epistle that I may give more earnest heed to the great salvation, and the great Savior it reveals.

Savior Jesus! Cleanse and purge me as a vessel fit and meet for Thy use, my Master! How can I make full proof of Thy call and my ministry? Thou hast set Thy servant and Apostle Paul as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. He has written by Thy Spirit to instruct Timothy, how to behave in the House of God, which is the Church of the living God, the ground and pillar of the truth. To him he declared, Commit the same unto faithful men able to teach others also. And so in my hands through Thy churches’ instruction, I hold my Bible, and in it hold this Epistle. Help me give myself wholly to these things, and continue in them, that my progress may be clear to all. Use this meditation, line upon line, precept upon precept, that I may take heed to myself and to the doctrine, and so to save myself and all who hear me (2 Tim 2:21; 4:5; 2 Tim 1:11)

A Prayer for Illumination

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts:

Heaven and earth is full of Thy glory!

How excellent is Thy Name in all the earth,

Who hast exalted Thy glory above the heavens.

Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name:

Thy Word is truth:

Almighty Father, only-begotten Son, Holy Spirit of God

Thou art Jehovah, which dwelt in the bush:

Who hast given the Law by Moses,

Who spakest by the Prophets,

Who in these last days hast spoken to us

In Thy Son Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth:

No man hath seen Thee at any time;

No man can look upon Thee and live.

Thou hast spoken: we have heard only a voice.

Thou art neither in the fire, the wind or the earthquake,

But in a still, small voice.

Yet Thou who hast commanded the light the shine out of darkness

Hast shined in our hearts to give us the knowledge of Thy glory

In the face of Jesus Christ.

That which was from the beginning, even the eternal Life

That was with Thee, O God, that with Thee is God,

Seen, heard, handled, witnessed

The Word made flesh—God manifest in the flesh

Is declared to us by the Apostles;

That we also might have fellowship with Thee

And with Thy Son Jesus:

These things are written that our joy might be full.

We have received the Gospel

How that Christ died for our sins

according to the Scriptures,

That He was buried and rose again the third day

according to the Scriptures;

For thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise

That repentance and remission of sins be preached in His Name

To all nations,

Preaching Jesus beginning at the same Scriptures.

And we have known these Holy Scriptures

Which are able to make us wise to salvation

Through faith that is in Christ Jesus:

We, even we who once were without God

and without hope in the world

are now built together a very habitation of God by the Spirit

founded upon the Apostles and Prophets,

Jesus Christ Himself the chief cornerstone.

We come to Thee, O Lord Jesus,

For to whom else can we go?

Thou hast these words of eternal life!

We believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ,

The Son of the living God!

We sit and hear Thy Word now at Thy feet,

Prince and Savior

Angel of the Covenant

In whom we delight:

Show us now what is noted in the Scripture of truth!

No Scripture has come by private interpretation;

But holy men spake as they were moved of the Holy Ghost:

We beseech Thee then, Lord Jesus,

Pray the Father, that He send us the Comforter, the Holy Ghost

To lead us into all truth,

To bring to remembrance whatsoever Thou hast said

To glorify Thee!

Come to us Thyself, in Him:Open the Scriptures and expound in them all

The things concerning Thyself

In the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms,

In the Gospels, the Epistles and the Revelation,

Till our hearts burn within us:

Let Thy words abide in us,

That we may abide in Thee.

Open our understanding

That we may understand the Scriptures, and search the Scriptures

For in them we have eternal life, and these testify of The.

Grant us to fulfill Thy royal Law according to the Scripture

And be blessed in knowing these things as we do them.

Give us in patience and comfort of the Scriptures

To have hope

For whatsoever things were written aforetime

Were written for our learning.

Make us mighty in the Scriptures,

To know our God, and do exploits for Him:

Sanctify us by Thy truth

Leave us not to be drawn away with the errors of the wicked

Who know neither the Scriptures nor Thy power,

But grow in grace and knowledge of Thee,

Our Lord and Savior.

Leave us not a prey to the unlearned and unstable

Which wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction,

And know neither what they say nor whereof they affirm.

Open our eyes to behold wondrous things out of Thy Law,

And to see no man but Jesus only,

To believe the Scripture, and the Word which Jesus spake,

For the Spirit of prophecy is

The Word God and the testimony of Jesus Christ

Let Thy mercies come also unto us, O Lord

Even Thy salvation, according to Thy Word.

We ask all this in His Name.

May we receive, and our joy be full.

Let His Name endure as the sun,

And let the whole earth be filled with His glory!

Amen, and Amen.

2. One, Living True, Eternal God

1 One living, true, eternal God

With heart and voice do we confess

Creator of the heavens abroad

And earth around, forever blest!

2 God is: in all His works we see

Displayed His wisdom and His might;

By faith we own His majesty,

And seek Him, veiled beyond our sight.

3 God is a Spirit: worshippers

In truth and spirit now He seeks;

With image, shrine, and rite, man errs:

For by His Word alone God speaks.

4 That Word reveals that God is light

In Him no darkness is at all;

Our sin cannot endure His sight,

Whose light is unapproachable.

5 Our God is a consuming fire

The King of saints is just and true

In all His ways; in judgments dire

The wicked perish from His view.

6 Yet by the Gospel, God is love

Who saves the sinner, yet is just

He gave His Son from heaven above,

Upon the cross to die for us.

7 Eternal, infinite, unchanged,

In being, wisdom, and in power,

All-holy, just, most good and true,

We praise Thy glory in this hour!

8 One God, revealed in Persons Three:

The Father, Word and Holy Ghost:

Thy praise, Most Blessed Trinity,

Earth’s fullness gives with Heaven’s host!

L.M.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 13; New Testament: Matthew 2 Psalm: 2

1 Timothy 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ: When he writes these lines, none can any longer challenge his title and claim. Timothy, and all the saints now know fully his doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity patience, persecutions (2 Tim 3:11–12). He has seen the risen Lord (1 Cor 9:1); he has ministered with all the signs of an apostle (2 Cor 12:12); he has suffered the great things the Savior foretold Ananias, and testified before kings, Israel and the heathen as His chosen vessel (Acts 9:15–16). We cannot doubt that he writes the Lord’s commandments (1 Cor 14:37). Hearing him, I hear Christ (Luke 10:16); let me follow him as he follows Christ (1 Cor 11:1).

An apostle . . . by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ: God who separated Paul from his mother’s womb, and called him by His grace, has revealed His Son in him to preach to the Gentiles (Gal 1:15–16). A stewardship of the Gospel is committed to him, necessity is laid upon him—woe if he preach not the Gospel! (1 Cor 9:16–17); For no man takes this office to himself, but he that is called (Heb. 5:4), even as the risen Lord led him captive and gave him gifts (Eph 4:7–11).

So was Paul made a minister (Eph 3:7)—and so must I be made a minister by God’s Son. How can I preach, except I be sent (Rom 10:15)? Does the love of Christ constrain me? Do I persuade men knowing well the terrors of the Lord (2 Cor 5:11, 14)? To Timothy, and at last now to me, Paul says, I give thee charge in the sight of God . . . and before Christ Jesus . . . that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable (1 Tim. 6:13–16).

Let me not forget that I too am under authority—authority that brings confidence for my work, and demands obedience to fulfill it. Lord Jesus, when Thou sayest Go, let me go; Come, let me come; Do this, let me do (Matt 8:11)!

Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope: He is our Hope, which makes not ashamed—for God commends His love to us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us; and that love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost (Rom 5:5–10). We through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus faith avails which works by love (Gal 5:5–6). The grace of God has appeared, teaching us that we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present age, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem and purify to Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (Tit. 2:11–14). A present security, a certain deliverance, and glorious future—this is my hope—Jesus Christ . . . our hope.

3. Jesus our Lord, Walk With Us in the Way

1 Jesus our Lord, walk with us in the way;

Slow are our hearts, our holden eyes are blind:

Draw near, go with us at the close of day,

Soothe all our sadness, still our foolish mind.

2 Jesus our Lord, talk with us in the way;

Speak we too much, and reason without faith:

Looking we see not, hearing we gainsay—

Open our eyes to what the Scripture saith.

3 Jesus our Lord, in Prophets, Law and Psalms,

Thyself reveal, and of Thee let us learn;

Upbraid our hardened hearts, our doubts and qualms—

Speak, till our hearts again within us burn!

4 O pass us not, Lord Jesus, by the way;

We would constrain Thee with us to abide:

Still with us tarry, far spent is the day;

We fain would know Thee now in breaking bread.

5 Jesus our Lord, who still amidst us stands,

Open the Scriptures, all Thy glory show;

Open our eyes, display Thy feet and hands:

Open our understanding, Thee to know!

6 Here do we tarry, witnesses to Thee:

Spirit-endued, with power from on high,

Preaching repentance, and redemption free—

We bless Thee, praise Thee, ever in Thee joy!

10.10.10.10.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 14; New Testament: Matthew 3 Psalm: 3

1 Timothy 1:1–2

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Unto Timothy, mine own son in the faith: Paul is now about to open all his counsels, commandment, precepts, passions and life-long ambition to please Christ and win His crown from his heart, and entrust them all to Timothy: here is his legacy, here is the future of the apostolic Gospel, the apostolic Scriptures, the apostolic Churches. All are committed to his own son in the faith. To the Savior Paul has committed his own soul (2 Tim. 1:14). To Timothy Paul now commits his own work (1 Tim. 6:20).

Paul, being dead, will yet speak through Timothy; and Timothy in turn will speak for Paul through us, and this Word is committed to us (2 Tim 2:2). So Paul is committing that same trust down the centuries to our day, to us, and to me.

Mine own son in the faith: Paul has begotten Timothy by the Gospel in Lystra and Derbe (1 Cor 4:15, Acts 14:6–21, 16:1–2). The lad, with his mother and grandmother are the travail of his soul (Gal 4:19) for whom he bears the scars of being stoned and left for dead (Gal 6:17; Acts 14:6–7, 19–22). He sees the impress of his doctrine and desires upon this young man in the faith; he recalls now years of faithful, routine service to Christ with him as father and son (Phil. 2:22), cherishing him with his interventions (1 Cor 16:10–11) and intercessions (2 Tim. 1:3). Other men now see me as a son in the faith—let me pray that I too may beget others by the Gospel and to others commit the faith, my charge and my good things (2 Tim. 1:13–14).

Paul blesses this his son and prepares him for all he must learn, by commending him to God in Christ Jesus—to His grace, despite all our sin and corruption; to His mercy, despite all our sorrow and misery; to His peace, despite all our trials and troubles. Enveloped in the presence and power, the favor and love of the Father and the Savior, sin cannot overcome grace, Satan cannot assail mercy, circumstance cannot perturb peace. The flesh, the devil and the world are shut out behind the closet door where God alone sees in secret (Matt 6:6; Isa 26: 20).

Wall my soul round; hedge me in, O Father God, in Thy grace, greater than my sin; in Thy mercy, in every time of need; in Thy peace which passes all understanding—keep my heart and mind by Jesus Christ our Lord!

4. My Only Comfort

1 My only comfort would you know

Amid this world of sin and woe

That keeps my heart through all its strife—

The pangs of death, the pains of life?

2 In life, in death, is this alone

My comfort—I am not my own:

With soul and body I belong

To Jesus Christ, my Strength and Song.

3 My faithful Savior, with His Blood,

Full satisfaction made to God

For all my sins, and rescued me

From all the devil’s tyranny.

4 He so preserves and keeps me still

That now, without my Father’s will

No hair can fall from off my head

Yea, all must serve my good instead.

5 My soul He therefore doth assure

Shall to eternal life endure:

And me His Spirit willing makes

Henceforth to live for Jesu’s sake.

6 My guilt, though I cannot forget

Is great, His grace surpasses yet:

My gratitude shall ever praise

His glory to eternal days!

7 Let heaven and earth acclaim abroad

Jehovah—one, true living God

Eternal King and Lord of hosts:The Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

L.M.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 15; New Testament: Matthew 4 Psalm: 4

1 Timothy 1:3–4

3As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Abide still . . . so do: Lord Jesus, arm me and nerve me to persevere and discharge my calling where I am; to keep on with my task and get it done—without loitering, malingering, or hesitation. What I am to do, I know; how I am to live, I know. Make me a doer and no mere hearer of Thy Word—and bless me in my deed! (1 Cor 7:20, 24; Jas 1:22, 25).

To my hearers, and all believers, I must charge them that they teach no other doctrine: to stick to the Scriptures, not to meddle with the Gospel message, neither to add nor take away jot nor title. This is so vital, and yet so hard. So prone are we to love novelty; to flatter ourselves with vain embellishment—as if we might enhance a rare painting with graffiti to show we were there! No other doctrine than the good confession of Thy Word in truth need I know, need I learn, need I heed. Such a vast treasure have I in the Bible, so unsearchable are the riches of Christ—I have a life’s work even fairly to master it all or really