f 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.
f departures from the faith that began already to appear.
(1-5) Several directions, with motives for due discharge of
duties. (6-16)