2Ti 1:12-14 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 12. For the which cause I also suffer these things . That is, I suffer on account of my purpose to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. . Nevertheless I am not ashamed . Comp. . For I know whom I have believed . Marg., trusted . The idea is, that he understood the character of that Redeemer to whom he had committed his eternal interests, and knew that he had no reason to be ashamed of confiding in him. He was able to keep all that he had intrusted to his care, and would not suffer him to be lost. . And am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him . That is, the soul with all its immortal interests. A man has nothing of higher value to intrust to another than the intereats of his soul, and there is no other act of confidence like that in which he intrusts the keeping of that soul to the Son of God. Learn hence, (1.) that religion consists in committing the soul to the care of the Lord Jesus; because (a) we feel that we cannot secure its salvation ourselves; (b) it is by nature in danger; (c) if not saved by him, it will not be saved at all. (2.) That is a great and invaluable treasure which is committed to him. (a) No higher treasure can be committed to another; (b) in connection with that the whole question of our happiness on earth and in heaven is intrusted to him, and all depends on his fidelity. (3.) It is done by the true Christian with file most entire confidence, so that the mind is at rest. The grounds of this confidence are (a) what is said of the mighty power of the Saviour; (b) his promises that he will keep all who confide in him, (comp. ;) (c) experience--the fact that those who have trusted in him have found that he is able to keep them. (4.) This act of committing the soul, with all its interests, to the Saviour, is the true source of peace in the trials of life. This is so because (a) having done this, we feel that our great interests are secure. If the soul is safe, why need we be disturbed by the loss of health, or property, or other temporal comforts. Those are secondary things. A man who is shipwrecked, and who sees his son or daughter safe with him on the shore, will be little concerned that a casket of jewels fell overboard--however valuable it might be. (b) All those trials will soon pass away, and he will be safe in heaven. (c) These very things may further the great object--the salvation of the soul. A man's great interests may be more safe when in a prison than when in a palace; on a pallet of straw than on a bed of down; when constrained to say, "Give us this day our daily bread," than when encompassed with the wealth of Croesus. Against that day . The day of judgment--called " that day," without anything further to designate it, because it is the great day; "the day for which all other days were made." It seems to have been so much the object of thought and conversation among the early Christians that the apostle supposed that he would be understood by merely referring to it as " that day ;" that is, the day which they were always preaching about, and talking about, and thinking about. (a) "nevertheless" (1) "whom I have believed" "trusted" (b) "have committed"

2 Timothy 1:12-14

Verse 12. For the which cause I also suffer these things. That is, I suffer on account of my purpose to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. Col 1:24.

Nevertheless I am not ashamed. Comp. Rom 1:16.

For I know whom I have believed. Marg., trusted. The idea is, that he understood the character of that Redeemer to whom he had committed his eternal interests, and knew that he had no reason to be ashamed of confiding in him. He was able to keep all that he had intrusted to his care, and would not suffer him to be lost. Isa 28:16.

And am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him. That is, the soul with all its immortal interests. A man has nothing of higher value to intrust to another than the intereats of his soul, and there is no other act of confidence like that in which he intrusts the keeping of that soul to the Son of God. Learn hence,

(1.) that religion consists in committing the soul to the care of the Lord Jesus; because

(a) we feel that we cannot secure its salvation ourselves;

(b) it is by nature in danger;

(2.) That is a great and invaluable treasure which is committed to him.

(a) No higher treasure can be committed to another;

(b) in connection with that the whole question of our happiness on earth and in heaven is intrusted to him, and all depends on his fidelity.

(3.) It is done by the true Christian with file most entire confidence, so that the mind is at rest. The grounds of this confidence are

(a) what is said of the mighty power of the Saviour;

(b) his promises that he will keep all who confide in him, (comp. Jn 10:27-29;)

(4.) This act of committing the soul, with all its interests, to the Saviour, is the true source of peace in the trials of life. This is so because

(a) having done this, we feel that our great interests are secure. If the soul is safe, why need we be disturbed by the loss of health, or property, or other temporal comforts. Those are secondary things. A man who is shipwrecked, and who sees his son or daughter safe with him on the shore, will be little concerned that a casket of jewels fell overboard--however valuable it might be.

(b) All those trials will soon pass away, and he will be safe in heaven.

(c) These very things may further the great object--the salvation of the soul. A man's great interests may be more safe when in a prison than when in a palace; on a pallet of straw than on a bed of down; when constrained to say, "Give us this day our daily bread," than when encompassed with the wealth of Croesus.

Against that day. The day of judgment--called "that day," without anything further to designate it, because it is the great day; "the day for which all other days were made." It seems to have been so much the object of thought and conversation among the early Christians that the apostle supposed that he would be understood by merely referring to it as "that day ;" that is, the day which they were always preaching about, and talking about, and thinking about.

(a) "nevertheless" Rom 1:18 (1) "whom I have believed" "trusted" (b) "have committed" Verse 13. Hold fast the form of sound words. 1Timm 1:3. On the Greek word here rendered "form," 1Timm 1:16, where it is rendered pattern. The word means a form, sketch, or imperfect delineation--an outline. Grotius says that it here means "an exemplar, but an exemplar fixed in the mind--an idea." Calvin says that the command is that he should adhere to the doctrine which he had learned, not only in its substance, but in its form. Archbishop Tilotson explains this as meaning the profession of faith which was made by Christians at baptism. There seems to be an allusion to some summary or outline of truth which Paul had given to Timothy, though there is no evidence that it was written. Indeed, there is every presumption that, if it refers to such a summary, it was not committed to writing. If it had been, it would have been regarded as inspired, and would have taken its place in the canon of Scripture. It may be presumed that almost none of the sacred writings would have been more sacredly preserved than such a condensed summary of Christian truth. But there is no improbability in supposing that Paul, either at his ordination, or on some other occasion, may have stated the outlines of the Christian religion to Timothy, that he might have a clear and connected view of the subject. The passage, therefore, may be used as an argument for the propriety of some brief summary of doctrine as a matter of convenience, though not as having binding authority on the consciences of others.

Of sound words. Comp. 1Timm 6:3. The Greek is the same in both places.

Which thou hast heard of me. This proves that he does not refer to a written creed, since what he refers to was something which he had heard.

In faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Hold these truths with sincere faith in the Lord Jesus, and with that love which is the best evidence of attachment to him.

(c) "fast" Rev 2:25 (d) "form" Rom 6:17 (e) "sound words" 1Timm 6:3 Verse 14. That good thing which was committed unto thee. 1Timm 6:20. The reference here in the phrase, "that good thing committed to thee," is to the sound Christian doctrine with which he had been intrusted, and which he was required to transmit to others.

Keep by the Holy Ghost. By the aid of the Holy Ghost. One of the best methods of preserving the knowledge and the love of truth is to cherish the influences of the Holy Spirit.

(a) "good thing" 1Timm 6:20 (*) "Holy Ghost" "Spirit"