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| 1 Let 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. |
Their own masters – Communism is not the counsel of God for this age. D480; R1862:4
Worthy of all honor – Treat them with respect and Christian courtesy. R1464:2*
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| 2 And 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. These things teach and exhort. |
Do them service – Not as men-pleasers; with singleness of heart those who serve should render service as unto the Lord. Service rendered in such a spirit is always dignified and ennobling. R1464:2*
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| 3 If 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; |
Doctrine which is according to godliness-- Will provide the oneness of thought, mind and action required of the Church of God. R1130:6*
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| 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, |
He is proud – "Vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." (Col. 2:18) F412
Evil surmisings – "Love thinketh no evil." (1 Cor. 13:5) F406; R5123:2
Consists in imagining evil intentions and motives behind the words and acts of others. It is contrary to the words of our Lord Jesus, and opposed to godliness. R5122:6, 3594:1
Those who practice evil surmising have never entered the school of Christ, or are in the infant class. R5123:1
Love filling our hearts will not only hinder evil conduct and injurious words, but will prevent evil thoughts. R5123:2
Whoever neglects the Lord's commands along this line weaves a web for his own ensnarement; for a heart impregnated with doubt and suspicion toward fellow creatures is more than half prepared to doubt God. R3594:2
The saints have probably the most to dread from the inoculation of their minds with evil surmisings. R4312:4
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| 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. |
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| 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. |
Godliness – God-likeness. R613:1
"Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." (Luke 16:13) R2259:1
With contentment – Absence of covetousness. R3046:1
This blessed state of godly contentment cannot be reached in a moment. It is a result of growth in grace and in the knowledge and love of God. OV200:6
With intelligent people there can scarcely be contentment without godliness. OV200:3
The example of the saints should be that of contentment and cheerful submission to present trials. A341
We commend this thought to socialists and everyone else. R5155:4
Christian contentment is based upon godliness, worldly contentment is based upon love of ease and selfishness. NS63:3
Great gain – True riches, not earthly prosperity. R2520:3
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| 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. |
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| 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. |
Having food and raiment – Needful or necessary food and raiment. A340; R873:6
Provide things honest, neat and comfortable for the temporal necessities, and then give them no further thought. R901:6
Be therewith content – We should not seek to compete with the world in a race for the luxuries of the present time, but we should use our time and energy in the service to which we consecrated it. R873:6
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| 9 But 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. |
That will be rich – That will to be rich, whether they succeed or not. A340; D524
Who are determined to be rich at all hazards. D283
It is when parents attempt to become rich and to leave their children rich that they especially err. R1828:4
And a snare – Of the Adversary. R2054:4
Lusts – Desires and habits. R2259:2, 3083:3
Which drown men – Which sink men. A340
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| 10 For 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. |
The love of money – Whether in rich or poor. A340
We should distinguish between money and the love of money, or making an idol of it. R5552:2, 4023:1
Money represents toil, labor, accumulation; and as such it should be valued for the good it can do. R5552:2
This might include not only money, but wealth of honor, name, influence or power. R3878:6
Some have sold the truth for money believing that they would prosper in business better by advocating error. R5552:2
The injury comes not so much from the money as from the love of it, hence money lovers without the money are in as great danger as those who possess the wealth. NS67:4
Root of all evil – But the spirit of a sound mind forbids the opposite extreme of slothfulness in business. (Rom. 12:11) E259
Some coveted after – Any appropriation of wealth for selfish uses brings a curse, as illustrated by the sin of Achan, who appropriated some gold, silver and a fine Babylonish garment for himself. This covetousness resulted in his own destruction. R4071:1
Covetousness is sure to blind us to the true situation and to make us unwise as respects the highest interests. R3939:6
Erred from the faith – The spirit of Mammon crowds out the spirit of love and wisdom from above, and leads to losing the spirit of the truth, the letter of the truth and the faith. R2259:2
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| 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. |
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| 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. |
Fight – The world, the flesh, the devil. R2309:5, 5432:2
Battling for the Lord, the truth, the brethren. R2878:3
The battle with self is the greatest battle. R2878:1
A battle for victory over our own weaknesses. R2310:1, 4810:2, 2878:3; SM394:T, 430:3; OV356:4; Q603:5
Our fighting is on our own behalf, and on behalf of each other. We are fighting to the death in self-defense, to maintain our own liberty, and that of each other. R2310:2
Our battle is not against our fellow creatures nor with carnal weapons. R2309:2, 4527:2; OV356:4
Those who are naturally combative may think they are fighting the good fight when in reality they are only cultivating a quarrelsome disposition. R1040:3
Battling against all "the wiles of the devil," "for we are not ignorant of his devices." (Eph. 6:11; 2 Cor. 2:11) R2878:3
A continual warfare between the old nature and the new; the final victory of one means the destruction of the other. SM631:2; R143:5
Against pride, ambition, discontent, money-loving, selfishness, unrighteousness. R1042:5, 3273:1,5
Our defense of the character and Word of God. R3274:3
How different all this appears from that easy-going Christianity which seems but a very little removed from the spirit of the world. R2123:1
Soldiers fighting in this battle for the truth win not by injuring others, but by showing to others such noble examples of fidelity to the principles of righteousness even unto death as will commend them to the Lord and his cause. R3274:4
Not fighting the brethren. Nor exactly fighting the devil, because we are not able. CR314:2
Not with the world and not with the world's sins and immorality. OV155:3
Not with carnal weapons, but with the whole armor of God's word. NS61:4
Good fight of faith – Against sin, primarily in ourselves. R4803:5, 4728:6, 3273:1, 2878:1, 2309:3; SM180:1
The Church's warfare in the present time. PD93/108
Under an unseen leader, against an unseen foe, for an unseen crown of life. R2312:1
A conquering fight. R5432:2
Implies that we have a faith for which to fight. No man can fight who has not come to some knowledge of the truth sufficient to awaken his sympathies and enlist his energies in its propagation and defense. R1041:5
Faith in the Lord, and in the promises, must be the power that will move and energize the Lord's people. R2878:6, 4810:2
Faith in the Lord, not faith in men, or creeds, or ourselves. R2878:6
Faith means some knowledge upon which faith may rest; without it, we can never come off conquerors. R2312:2
A good fight is in the interest of that which is good, true, noble, pure, godly; for righteousness. R2309:1
We fight for a liberty and a glory of the verity of which we have no knowledge, except as we accept it by faith. R2312:1
Lay hold – And thus lay hold. R715:4*, 279:4, 142:5
By acceptance of Christ and consecration to his service. R1878:6
On eternal life – The prize of life eternal. R3273:2
Eternal life must be grasped; it will never be forced on anybody. E386; R1878:4
Art also called – Addressed only to the body of Christ, the consecrated Church. R2309:1
And hast professed a good profession – And didst make a noble covenant. A341
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| 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; |
God – The great life giver, Jehovah; we are his representatives in the earth; the honor of his name is to be vindicated in the presence of his enemies and before many of his deceived children. R1128:3
Pontius Pilate – The Roman governor of Judea; he had in his hands the power of life and death. R2470:3
A good confession – It was the Lord's witness to the truth that cost him his life. R2471:6
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| 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: |
This commandment – Greek, entole, meaning "this thing given in charge," this doctrine given by divine inspiration. R1127:6
Without spot – Untarnished in its glorious simplicity and purity unmixed with human theories and false doctrines. R1127:6
The appearing – Greek, epiphania, signifies bright shining or manifestation. R2979:1
Of our Lord – The salvation we are looking for is at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. R4298:5
Does not point to a special moment, hour or day, but to the period of his presence (parousia), during which his harvest work will gather and glorify his saints and establish his promised kingdom. R3652:6
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| 15 Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; |
Which – Good confession or sound faith. R1127:6
In his times – Greek, kairos, meaning fixed times, as "the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand." (Mark 1:15) B78
The Millennial age; the thousand year judgment day. A139, A210
Show who is – Display himself as. E136
Only potentate – Who will then be known as the "Everlasting Father." (Isa. 9:6) R4411:5*
The King of kings – "And the Lamb shall overcome them for he is King of kings and Lord of lords." (Rev. 17:14) R2747:6
Lord of lords – Greek: kurieno, meaning to be lords. E71
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| 16 Who 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. |
Who only – Christ; the Father, as always, being excepted. (1 Cor. 15:27) E79, E392; R2747:6
To apply this text to the heavenly Father would not be consistent with the testimony of Scripture, that the heavenly Son possessed immortality at the time these words were written, as well as the Father. R2747:5
This passage is somewhat ambiguous--we would have no special controversy with those who claim it refers to the heavenly Father--our own view is that it refers to our Lord Jesus, as the Apostle explains, God is always excepted. (1 Cor. 15:27) Q337:2
God. R2339:2, 1879:1, 1642:4, 632:2*, 252:4, 44:4; OV138:4
Hath immortality – Greek, athanasia, meaning deathlessness, that which cannot die. E397; R2339:2, 204:1
Not mortal; death-proof; indestructible; imperishable. R1879:1, 715:1*; OV139:1
Inherency of life, requiring no sustenance. R4775:1, 2747:5, 252:4
Immortality belongs exclusively to the divine nature. R2747:4
The fulness of life which could not cease under any circumstances. R279:2, 142:3
This quality inheres in Jehovah God alone, as it is written, "The Father hath life in himself" (John 5:26); i.e., his existence is nn innate or original quality of His being. R1879:1, 715:1*
When Jesus was highly exalted, he became partaker of the same divine, immortal nature, "...that he should have life in himself." (John 5:26) R233:6, 1642:4, 715:1*
Now also possessed by Jesus, and promised as a special reward to the saints, the elect bride, the "body of Christ." OV138:4; R4955:6, 4071:3, 3774:1, 2747:4, 1052:5*
In the light – The light of which is above the brightness of the sun. CR467:6
No man hath seen – Jesus as the perfect New Creature; he comes in power and great glory, the express image of the Father's person. R348:4, 5269:1, 1692:1, 558:6, 361:1
No man ever saw the person of God. Q360:2
Men can only see God as manifested through his works and revelation. R558:6
"No man hath seen God at any time." (1 John 4:12) B132; T85
Christ and the Church, the real spiritual rulers of God's kingdom, will be unseen. R1872:5
Nor can see – Personally. R4966:4
Christ and his glorified Church will be as invisible to men as are Satan and his angels now; or as are God and the angels. R3075:3, 2289:2, 598:2, 546:3
But we [the little flock, when glorified] shall see him as he is, for we shall be like him. (1 John 3:2) T86; R3075:3
The Bible makes no attempt to describe heaven itself, nor its inhabitants. Men must discern God in his works. R4966:4; CR117:4
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| 17 Charge them that are rich in this age, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; |
Charge – Warn. R5243:4
Them that are rich – These words of the apostle never were more in season than now. R5243:4
It is when parents attempt to become rich and to leave their children rich that they specially err. R1828:4
There were both rich and poor in the assemblies of the primitive Church. R2932:4
In uncertain riches – If we would win the prize and the Kingdom, we must not set out hearts upon earthly things. R5004:2
Those who trust in riches find in the end that their trust has been misplaced, and that life as a whole is a failure, that it brings discontent, disappointment, strife and unhappiness. NS106:5
Who giveth us – All his people. R2763:5
Richly – "No man that hath left [all] for my sake and the gospel's but he shall receive an hundredfold now...and in the world to come." (Mark 10:29,30) Our Lord could truthfully have said that we receive a thousand-fold more than anything we have sacrificed for His sake. NS107:1,4
Things to enjoy – All things (needful) to their rich enjoyment. R2763:5
We are to see our liberties and to use them according to our judgment of the Lord's will. R3667:2
We can enjoy the rich works of art and beauty displayed in the shop windows without any desire to have them under our special care. R3734:6
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| 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; |
Ready to distribute – Liberal, ready to bestow. R2763:5
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| 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. |
Laying up in store – The Ancient Worthies have thus "laid up in store," as a result of their fiery experiences (represented in the ashes of the burned heifer), characters precious in God's sight, which he intends to use for the blessing of the world, after the Day of Atonement is ended. R1872:4
Good foundation – Good preparation. R2763:5
Lay hold on – It will not be forced on any, but must be grasped. E386; R1878:4
By acceptance of Christ and consecration to his service. R1878:6
Eternal life – The real life. R2763:5
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| 20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: |
Science – Human theories and philosophies. F138
The word means knowledge or wisdom in a more general sense. R299:1*
Particularly the Grecian philosophies current in Timothy's day. R5910:3, 2611:2
Which acknowledged Christ as a teacher, but not as a pre-human Son of God and a Redeemer. E285, E296
All fanciful speculations and philosophies should be disesteemed and discouraged. R1892:4
A guess is not to be set down as scientific truth. Q633:T
The same God made both the world and the Word, so that there can be no contradiction. R3420:2*
Close students of the divine Word are prepared to quickly detect error, even though it lurk behind a very plausible semblance of truth. R1206:4
True science has never contradicted the Bible; has never touched it but to confirm. R3420:2*, 299:2
The danger to faith arose not from real science, but from that baseless and pernicious gnosis, unworthy of the name of science, that was already on the way to its full fruitage in the Gnostism of Marcion and Valentinus that at a later day so cursed the early church. R3420:1*
Science may be wholly vitiated by a superficial knowledge of the facts, by false generalization from them, by irrational and unwarranted explanations of them, or by failure to make proper application of the principle of causation in dealing with them. R3420:5*
Falsely so-called – Because not absolute truth, and hence not science. So-called science is changeable. F138
Pseudo-science. R3420:2*
Science may become false by the narrowness that fails to take in all the range of facts involved, and thus leaves it incomplete; or by incoherency that shows itself incapable of grouping facts into unity, and thus results in merely a disjointed mass. R3420:6*
It is only science falsely so called that has ever been made to appear to discredit the Word of God--Positivism, Darwinism, Spencerism, and all similar "isms." R3421:1*
The theory of Evolution; Christian Science; Spiritism; Theosophy; New Thought, etc. R5816:1; A172
Christian Science denies the personality of God, deifies man, degrades Christ Jesus into merely a good man, relegates the account of the fall to mythology, teaches salvation entirely by works, and claims that death is an illusion. R3186-3187
600 denominations with 600 different professions. R5016:6
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| 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
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