SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES by F. D. Starr

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 17, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 40.

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.

By F. D. Starr

Second Timothy.

THIS epistle is the last-known writing of the apostle Paul; so that, of the fourteen books that have come from his pen, and which constitute over one-half of the books of the New Testament, this is the final one. We naturally have a special interest in the last letter of a dear friend. Written from his prison cell, just before his final trial and execution, his words have a peculiar and thrilling significance.

The golden text of this epistle we may consider to be chapter 3:15: "And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." What greater literary advantage can one enjoy than an early knowledge of the Word of God? Let parents and children both take this into consideration. The word "child" in this verse is, in the original, "babe," and is so rendered by Rotherham.

So from infancy, Timothy's grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, had instructed him in the things of God. Instead of teaching him "Mother Goose" stories, and such nonsensical fables, they had taught him concerning Adam, Noah, Moses, and Daniel, and such-like useful knowledge. Noble example to be followed to-day.

Two texts in this letter refer to keeping power. The first is in chapter 1:12: "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." The other is chapter 4:7: "I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith."

It will be noticed that Paul had kept, and he expected the Lord to keep. Did the two ideas have anything to do with each other? Doubtless they did, and the relation between the keeping on the part of God, and the keeping on the part of man, is stated in Rev. 3:10: "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will

keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Because thou hast kept, I will keep. If Paul had not kept the faith which was committed unto him, could he expect God to keep that which he had committed unto His divine keeping? The answer is evident.

This is in harmony with God's reciprocal dealings with the race. "Them that honor Me, I will honor." "The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you." "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven," etc. Of course it is He who gives man the power, but eternal consequences depend upon the manner in which men use that power.

This letter is not lacking in information concerning the second advent of Christ. The condition of society in the last days is plainly stated in chapter 3:1-5. Here is a list of nearly a score of popular sins enrolled, commencing with lovers of self, and ending with lovers of pleasures. This is no "temporal millennium" view of the condition of things just before the Lord comes.

There is one instance of sad warning mentioned in this book: "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world." Chapter 4:10. Who was Demas?—A fellow-minister of the apostle Paul, as will be seen by Col. 4:14 and Philemon 24. But he stands out in New Testament history like Lot's wife in the Old Testament, as a lover of this world. How many have followed the same sad example, and will meet the same sad fate?

The judgment day is brought vividly to view in the closing chapter. In connection with that event are mentioned those who will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to the German reading, they will "heap to themselves teachers just according as their ears itch." The Lord help us to be ready to take heed to the pure teachings of His inspired Word. F. D. STARR.