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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

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 use it. What need then of other doctrine? (Ps 119:72, 96; Eph 3:8).

I may and must insist that my people and hearers give heed to no other doctrine, for none other is divinely revealed (1 Tim.6:1), guaranteed to save (1 Thess. 2:13), effectual in power, or able to make us free (John 8:31). This is “the doctrine according to godliness” (1 Tim. 6:3), the “doctrine of God our Saviour” (Tit. 2:10), “the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9) “good doctrine” (Prov 4:2), “sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1)—doctrine that drops as the rain and distills as the dew (Deut 32:21).

No other doctrine has any claim or place in my life, or my hearers’ lives. If I am not wise in my own conceits, and not wise above what is written, what of it? The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; I am Christ’s, and Christ is God’s (Rom 12:16; 1 Cor 4:6, 3:19–23).

The world passes away, and the lusts thereof; only he who does the will of God abide for ever. (1 John 2:17). Savior, let me abide still and so do.

5. Jesus, Thou art My Shepherd

1 Jesus, Thou art My Shepherd

I shall not want, with Thee;

Green pastures, quiet waters

In these Thou feedest me:

My soul Thou soon restorest

From straying and distress,

And for Thy Name’s sake leadest

In paths of righteousness.

2 Yea, though in death’s dark shadow,

I walk, I will not fear

For evil, since my comfort

Thy rod and staff still are:

A Table Thou preparest

Before my very foes,

My head with oil anointest,

And my cup overflows.

3 Thy goodness and Thy mercy

Shall follow all my ways

To keep me close beside Thee

Through all my earthly days;

Till in God’s House forever

In safety I will dwell:

Naught from Thy love can sever—

Thou doest all things well!

7.6.7.6.D

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 16; New Testament: Matthew 5 Psalm: 5

1 Timothy 1:3–4

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies: Paul is insisting that I shun all of which fables and endless genealogies are but a sample. All that is alien to the Bible; all that distorts or embellishes the Bible; all that merely fascinates; all that teases mysteries out of minutiae—in a word all that glisters and is not gold. Soon the Apostle will unveil the real nature of such stuff: “doctrines of devils” (4:1), “lies in hypocrisy” (4:2), “profane and old wives’ fables” (4:7), “strifes of words” (6:4), “perverse disputings” (6:5), “profane and vain babblings,” “science falsely so called” (6:20).

I so need the sanctified sense to sift the precious from the vile. (Jer 15:16, 19), the wheat from the chaff (Jer 23:28). Let me prove all things, and hold fast that which is good (1Th. 5:21) with such tests as these, “What saith the Scripture?” (Rom 4:3). “Of what manner of spirit is this?” (Luke 9:55). “Where are the old paths, where is the good way, where is rest for the soul?” (Jer 6:16). “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God” (2 John 9).

Rather than godly edifying which is in faith: Lord Christ, who wast anointed of Thy Father with the Spirit without measure to speak the words of God (John 3:34), to speak a word in season to the weary (Isa 50:4) to preach the Gospel to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set the bruised at liberty (Luke 4:18), empower my poor preaching by the Spirit of grace so to bless my hearers.

Make my ministry edifying: instructing, encouraging, directing, correcting, exhorting in the truth of Thy Word; godly edifying: Spirit-filled, and not with fleshly wisdom; glorifying God, and not exalting self; preaching Christ Jesus the Lord and myself a servant for Jesu’s sake; not tickling the itching ear, but engaging heart, mind and will to hear and obey the voice of the living, Triune God; godly edifying in faith: holding fast the form of sound doctrine in the faith once delivered to the saints; holding forth the Word of life with prayerful confidence of faith in the Gospel’s power to save.

So do: Father of mercies, work in me by Thy Holy Spirit to will and do Thy good pleasure that I may do and teach no other doctrine . . . than godly edifying which is in faith. So do! Amen.

6. Hear God’s good, just , holy Law

1 Hear God’s good, just, holy Law

Reverently, with fear and awe:

God’s own finger traced in stone

All these Ten Commands alone!

2 “I am God the Lord alone: [Preface]

So, beside Me, worship none! [First]

Keep My Word to seek My face [Second]

Put no image in My place!”

3 “Never take My Name in vain, [Third]

Nor My holy Day profane: [Fourth]

Six days work, and one day rest ----

So thy family will be blest!”

4 “ Honour parents, rulers, all; [Fifth]

Do no violence—great, or small: [Sixth]

Keep from all adultery, [Seventh]

And from all uncleanness flee!”

5 “Do not steal, but earn thy due: [Eighth]

Do not speak but what is true: [Ninth]

Do not covet; be content— [Tenth]

Let thy life for Me be spent!”

[Sum of Law & Golden Rule]

6 Love the Lord thy God with all

Heart and mind and strength and soul!

Love thy neighbor as thou would

Have him love and do thee good.

[Christ the end of the Law]

7 Jesus Christ, who bled and died,

Has Himself now satisfied

All the Law and so imparts

All its precepts to our hearts.

8 Weary sinner, flee to Christ!

His own Blood has paid the price

For all sins against the Law:

Turn and trust Him, joy with awe!

9 To our God, the Three in One,

Father, Holy Spirit, Son

Bring we praise eternally,

God Most Holy Trinity!

7.7.7.7.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 17; New Testament: Matthew 6 Psalm: 6

1 Timothy 1:5

5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned

To what end, to what goal is the Apostle’s charge to teach no other doctrine? Indeed what is the goal of the very Word of life in Law and Gospel? What then is the goal and proof of my ministry?

Now the end of the commandment is charity: What love does not move, is worthless; what love does not govern is wicked; what love does not grow and thrive from, is barren, cursed ground (1 Cor 13). So do I rightly divide the Word of truth as a pastor after God’s own heart? Where is the constraining love of Christ among my motives for service? Where is the servant love of Christ for the people I minister to? Where is the fragrant love of Christ in the approach, attitude, affections and address of my preaching?

The end of the commandment is charity. Do I leave people with warmer, more enlarged hearts, open to the Gospel, if they are lost; open to the great things of God’s Law if they are saved? What does all my sermon-making and pulpiteering achieve to this supreme end?

Charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: All is not love which takes the name or makes a show of love. The divine charity which the Word works must come out of a renewed soul whose faith is unfeigned; out of a pure heart; out of a renewed mind with a good conscience—in short, out of the whole man as a new creature in Christ.

O God my Savior, by Thy Holy Spirit create in me a pure heart—clean, single, and true (Ps 5110; Ps 86:11–12; Heb. 10:22). By the Blood of Christ purge my conscience of dead works to serve Thee, and exercise me always to have a conscience void of offense toward Thee and man—to have a good conscience in all things to live honestly, whose testimony is that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by Thy grace I have had my conduct in the world and toward Thy people; a pure conscience in which to serve Thee (Heb.9:14; Acts 24:16; Heb. 13:18; 2 Cor 1:12; 2 Tim. 1:3). Increase my faith; let me endure the trying of my faith that works patience, that patience may have its perfect work till I am whole, entire, lacking nothing. Grant me to hold fast Thy faithfulness, and have such faith in Thee as works by love, faith filled with love, power and a sound mind (Luke 17:5; James 1:3–4; Mark 11:22; Gal 5:6; 2 Tim. 1:7).

In me, O my covenant Triune God, work the end of the commandment, the end of all Thy commandments; write Thy laws upon my mind, and heart, that in me all may see that the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (Ezek 36:26–27; Jer 31:33; Heb. 8:10).

7. Lord Jesus, true and living Vine

1 Lord Jesus, true and living Vine,

In Thee I ever would abide;

O let Thy grace my soul entwine!

My faith clings to Thy riven side.

2 O Father, Who as Husbandman

Hast grafted me into Thy Son,

Purge, cleanse me, as Thy love may plan,

Till precious fruit to Thee be won.

3 Come, Holy Spirit, let Thy Word

Dwell richly in my mind and heart,

That I may live in Christ the Lord,

And from His presence ne’er depart!

4 Rooted in love’s most holy ground,

Built up and stablished in the faith,

With joyful thanks I would abound

And walk in all the Scripture saith.

5 As Vine and branch, let me abide

In Christ, and He abide in me!

Lord, may Thy Name be glorified

In worship, work, and witness free.

6 Hear, heed my longing, earnest prayer:

Reveal Thy glory—Christ in me!

With all Thy saints, O let me share

Thy glory when Thy face I see!

7 To Father, Son and Spirit, praise!

To God the Lord, the One in Three

Be glory all the length of days,

Now and to all eternity!

L.M.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 18; New Testament: Matthew 7 Psalm: 7

1 Timothy 1:6–7

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.

Here is a warning, here is a caution—will I hear it, and heed it? Those perverse men have arisen from the midst of the Church, even as Paul warned the elders of Ephesus at Miletus (Acts 20:20). The wolves raven from outside, seeking to penetrate and pillage; the perverts emerge inside, like mavericks straying and stampeding the flock to destruction. How Paul could say in all truth, “Many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil. 3:18). Enemies of Christ—enemies! Men who dare betray the Son of God with their hands upon His Table, His bread in their mouths—worse than Judas Iscariot himself! Am I so blind with conceit, so stupefied with complacency that I cannot think to ask, “Lord, is it I?” Lord Jesus, is it I? (Matt 26:20–25).

Some having swerved have turned aside: They lost their bearing from which—from what? from “the end of the commandment”, from the whole design of Scripture and the mandate of the Gospel ministry; from “charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1:5). Blind men, leading the blind into the ditch! (Matt 15:12–14). No conscience, no faith, no charity, no heart!

Now, do I really know where I am going, how, and why? No clown in the circus, no buffoon on the stage can match the tragicomedy of a preacher whose life has swerved, turned aside and fallen short, filled with popularity, notoriety, ingenuity: a fig tree with nothing but leaves!

Without charity, all knowledge of all mysteries, all gifts of prophecy, all is nothing (1 Cor 13:1–4) so when we having swerved, have turned aside all we have left, all we do is vain jangling.

Lord Jesus! King of glory, Head of the Church, what love and forbearance moves Thy heart and stays Thy hand not to scourge from Thy presence every mercenary, hobby-horsing knave and fool that make merchandise of Thy Word and of souls in Thy courts as a den of thieves! What patience is Thine with this poor wayfaring fool, this unprofitable servant, that Thy children should not fail to be fed with meat! Have I fed them in due season? Is their meat needful, wholesome? Forbid, Savior, that I too should swerve and turn aside to vain jangling!

8. Lord Jesus, take my ransomed life

1 Lord Jesus, take my ransomed life,

And use it to Thy praise

Through sorrow, suffering, strain or strife:

To Thee I yield my days.

2 Send where Thou wilt: there shall I go

In all the vast world wide,

To work, to weep, to wait, to sow

Till comes Thy harvest-tide

3 I hold not dear to live or die,

But to complete my race,

My ministry—to testify

The Gospel of Thy grace

4 “He must increase, I must decrease”

Let me my days thus spend

Till I at last depart in peace,

Enduring to the end.

C.M.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 19; New Testament: Matthew 8 Psalm: 8

1 Timothy 1:6–7

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.

I put out my hand, and count the fingers. For every finger, I know a name. Each name belongs to a man once active in the Gospel ministry. Every man was better, brighter, more able, more attractive, than ever I could be. I remember them, because I admired them; yes, I loved them. Everyone of them is now out of Christian service. When I think of them, I weep. When I think of myself, I shudder.

Every pastor probably knows such names—more, or less. Every seminarian can expect that one or other class-mate may fall, or depart from the faith.

Paul warned the saints “often” of “many” who had become “enemies of the cross of Christ.” He warned them “even weeping” (Phil. 3:18). He must have known some of them by name, from better days. During his first prison term in Rome, he wrote happily enough about Demas, right alongside Luke (Col.4:14). At his last imprisonment in Rome, he must break the news to Timothy, “Demas hath forsaken me . . . only Luke is with me” (2 Tim. 4:10–11). The Apostle John might have felt the same sorrow of soul as he wrote his host Gaius, condemning Diotrephes, and commending Demetrius (3 John)

Why do such men of which Paul speaks here, careen from the sense and sanctity of a Scriptural ministry of the Gospel? Some, he tells us, desire to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm. They long to strike a pose, assume airs, take a name as teachers of the law. Like the scribes, they yearn and “love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market places, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts” (Mark 12:38–39). Every age and place sees such, who in their own culture and context hanker for the privilege, purse, and prestige of the sage, and are willing to play the fool to get them.

And fools they are. They run, but have no tidings; they run when the Lord did not send them (2 Sam 18:19–32; Jer 23:21–22). They have no content; no vital grasp of Biblical theology, no sound doctrine, no aim at “godly edifying in faith” and no fruit of “charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned.”

Dare I dabble in passages or controversies where I understand neither what I say, nor whereof I affirm? Let me keep silence, Lord Jesus, rather than give out the vain jangling of sounding brass and clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1).

9. Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior King

1 Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior King,

Thy praise our willing hearts would sing:

We bow the knee before Thy throne—

We glory in Thy Name alone!

2 Thou art the promised Woman’s Seed,

Which hast our souls from bondage freed:

Who, dying, crushed the serpent’s head,

And rose victorious from the dead.

3 Our King of righteousness and peace,

Thy royal priesthood ne’er shall cease:

For through Thy veil of flesh, to God

Thou hast redeemed us by Thy Blood.

4 Thou art the Star of Jacob bright,

Which brings to all the nations light—

Scepter of Judah, Shiloh, Sun,

To whom the people gathering come.

5 Trembling we kiss Thee, Son of God,

Who rules the earth with iron rod

To dash in shards of potter’s clay

The wicked in Thy power’s day.

6 Thou King of glory, Lord of hosts,

O save us to the uttermost:

Thou hast ascended up on high

Captive to lead captivity.

L.M.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 20; New Testament: Matthew 9 Psalm: 9

1 Timothy 1:8–11

We know . . . knowing this: the Apostle calls me to keep every truth in the context and proportion of other truths; to make “the whole counsel of God” my aim. The Law is good if a man use it lawfully: Zeal for God without knowledge prompted rabbinical Jews, ignorant of God’s righteousness in Christ, to go about to establish their own righteousness (Rom 10:2–3). But the works of the Law bring a curse upon us in our depravity and with it death (Rom 7:9–13; Gal 3:10). Thus the Law is not made for a righteous man—it does not create man’s righteousness by merit of his works, but reveals his sin, to drive him to Christ.

What does the righteous standard of the holy Law reveal in all, in me? It reveals we are all the lawless who despise God’s commandment; the disobedient who willfully violate it; the ungodly who have no fear of Him before their eyes; sinners enslaved to iniquity; unholy who are too defiled for God’s sight; profane who actively desecrate all that reveals or represents God; murderers of mothers, manslayers who regard neither order nor life itself; whoremongers who exploit our sexual life for money; those that defile themselves with mankind and pervert our sexual life altogether to our confusion and damnation; menstealers who traffic in human life to enslave or kidnap, turning humanity to chattel like horseflesh; liars who love to deceive and be deceived; perjured persons who compound their deceit with the blasphemy of false swearing.

Is not all this heinous, horrid before my God? And is not my own heart tainted with all this, if not in open vice, then in its impulses of self-will, rebellion, uncleanness, hatred, and deceit? Yes, the Law has made me out to be what I really am before God, in anything that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God. The Law reveals my need of the Gospel’s pardon. The Gospel alone can make of me what the Law shows I am not at all.

10. Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior King

II.

6 Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior King,

Thy praise our willing hearts would sing:

We bow the knee before Thy throne—

We glory in Thy Name alone !

7 O Prince and Savior, in Thy grace

Be Thou our Rock and Hiding place:

With judgment fill the wilderness,

The fruitful fields with righteousness.

8 Pour Thou the Spirit from on high

On us; in all our places dry

Rivers of water send, to bless

With righteous peace and quietness.

9 Light of the morning, shining clear,

Our King and God, our voice now hear:

Our worship deign with peace to bless

In beauty of Thy holiness.

10 Thy congregation’s saints would sing

And Zion’s children in their King

Be joyful; pleasure in us take,

And, Savior, beautify the meek!

11 Lord Jesus, grant , at Thy right hand,

That we with all Thy Church may stand

Fairer than children all of men—

Thy Bride, all glorious within !

12 In us Thy holy beauty see—

Thou art our Lord; we worship Thee,

One with the Father evermore,

And Holy Ghost, by all adored!

L.M.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 21; New Testament: Matthew 10 Psalm: 10

1 Timothy 1:11

11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

The glorious Gospel of the blessed God . . . committed to my trust: This is the meaning of my life, as a Christian man, as a pastor, elder, teacher, bishop in the house of God. It is my trust to ‘show and tell’ the glorious Gospel of the blessed God: exhibit its power in my life; extol it to all in my witness; expound it through “godly edifying in faith” to the Church. I am a steward of the mysteries of God, and it is required that I be found faithful (1 Cor 4:1–2). A day is coming soon when my Lord Jesus will return to earth or will summons me to heaven. He will say to me “Give account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest no longer be steward” (Luke 16:2). “After a long time, the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them” (Matt 25:9). What will I have to show? Will I have profited myself and others for all the time, trouble and training of the years? How will I account for 20, 30, 40 50 years or more as a professed minister of Jesus Christ? Or dare I look ahead, as might I well look back at times, only this to say, “Lo, there Thou hast that is Thine” (Matt 25:25)? “Necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is me, if I preach not the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16).

Committed to my trust is the glorious Gospel of the blessed God. Glorious Gospel! Glorious because it displays the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:4,6); glorious because it reveals the grace, wisdom and power of God to choose things that are not to confound things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Cor 1:28–29); glorious in uniting us to Christ Jesus as our wisdom, strength, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, that, as it is written “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Cor 1:30–31); glorious in the glad tidings of great joy it brings to all peoples in Christ the Lord, a Savior who brings “glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men” (Luke 2:10–14); glorious in revealing “the glory, as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). glorious as that ministration of the Spirit to righteousness and life which excelled all before it (2 Cor 3:8–10).

The Gospel of the blessed God: Who will not worship this God? Paul cries, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ!” (Eph 1:1). Peter cries, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:1)! John hears all heaven and earth cry, “Blessing, and honour and glory and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever!” (Rev. 53–14). “Stand up and bless the Lord your God forever and ever; and blessed be Thy glorious Name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise” (Neh 9:5).

11. O Shout a Hallelujah!

1 O shout a Hallelujah!

My soul from sin is free!

My righteous Savior Jesus

Has died, and lives for me!

My tongue is filled with singing,

My heart is filled with joy,

Peace through my soul is springing

Which nothing can destroy!

Refrain: O shout a Hallelujah!

The Lamb that once was slain,

My risen Savior Jesus

Forevermore shall reign!

2 O shout of God’s salvation,

And praise Him day by day:

There is no condemnation,

And nothing left to pay!

For Jesus gave the ransom

In His most precious Blood

Upon the Cross of Calvary

To bring me back to God!

3 Shout, shout of sovereign mercy,

And free, abounding grace

That gave me to the Savior

Who suffered in my place !

No, never had I loved Him,

But that He first loved me

And left His throne in heaven

To die upon the Tree!

4 O shout aloud Hosanna

And join me with the throng

Of all God’s chosen people

To sing the glad new song:

All glory to the Father

All glory to the Lamb

All glory to the Spirit

One God—the great I AM!

7.6.7.6. D, Tune: God Bless the Prince of Wales

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 22 ; New Testament: Matthew 11 Psalm: 11

1 Timothy 1:12–14

Who can explain or comprehend the mercy and wisdom of Jesus Christ our Lord? Every believer, every preacher, must find his own life story patterned in the mould of the Apostle Paul, for we are all the sinners of whom he is chief; we have hereafter believed in the pattern which the Lord made of him; we are teachers of the Gentiles as he was first and foremost as Apostle (1:15–16; 2 Tim 1:11). Paul has scrawled in his own large hand (Gal 6:11–16) what each of us scribbles after him on the pages of our lives—mercy (1:13), grace , faith, love (1:14).

In the great mystery of godliness, exceeding abundant grace bestowed mercy on me in my ignorance and unbelief (1:13), counts me faithful to put me at all in the ministry (1:12), has enabled me to hold the trust of “the glorious gospel of the blessed God” (1:11) with faith and love supplied in Him (1:14).

If without that abundant grace, Paul were but a blasphemer and a persecutor, and injurious before conversion before calling to the ministry of this life-giving Gospel (1:13), how much worse would I become “having swerved” and “turned aside” from “godly edifying in faith,” from “charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1:4–6) without that exceeding abundant grace? I would be worse than a blasphemer if all my talk amounts to “vain jangling” (1:6); worse than a persecutor from outside, if from within the Church I only foster “questions” (1:4) or “strifes about words” (6:4); worse than injurious if I cause Christ’s little ones who believe to be offended (Mark 9:42–48). Mercy was granted me in all my sin and harm to God’s people when and because I did it ignorantly in unbelief (1:13). Mercy will not remain for me if at the end I have run when God did not send; if I have labored in vain and be found a castaway (1:7; Jer 23:21; 1 Cor 9:27; Phil.2:15).

Savior, here is a sinner needing Thine abundant grace with faith and love. Without Thee I am but injurious, a blot of shame upon Thy cause and people, an offence to Thy children—better never to have been born, better to have been cast into the sea with a millstone hung on my neck (Matt 18:6). Keep me from falling! Count me faithful now, as in the day Thou didst put me into the ministry. Enable me; make me an able minister of the New Testament, of the Spirit that gives life. And all my days shall I thank Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

12. Come, come to Calvary !

1 Come, come to Calvary,

Look to the Lamb of God

Who bore our sins upon the Tree,

And shed His precious Blood!

2 Come to the Cross, and live!

Jesus the Crucified

Pardon and peace to all shall give

For whom He bled and died.

3 Come to the Fount of life:

Drink and be satisfied

Rivers of living water flow

From out the Savior’s side.

4 Come to the feast now spread

Taste that the Lord is good:

Christ is the true and living bread

Better than angels’ food.

5 Come, wine and milk now buy,

No money bring, nor price!

The gift of God, eternal life,

Is yours through Jesus Christ!

6 Come, all ye weary, rest!

Sin’s burden now forsake.

Learn of our Master, and be blest!

His easy yoke now take!

7 Come, now repent, believe!

Jesus the Lord confess

Eternal life you shall receive:

Come, and you shall be blest!

S.M.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 23; New Testament: Matthew 12 Psalm: 12

1 Timothy 1:15–16

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.

O God our Father, by the Holy Spirit’s grace and light bind this saying around my neck, write it upon the tablet of my heart; set it as a lamp to my feet shining in a dark place till Thy day break and all shadows flee away (Prov 33; Ps 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:20; Song 2:17). Thou hast given it me as a faithful saying, which my soul may entirely trust; that will never fail to guide me, like the pole star in the night’s sky. It is suited to all my need, and to any fallen child of Adam the world over, worthy of all acceptation. With it I can be sure to bring blessing, to offer life and hope to any fellow sinner that ever I meet. If nothing else come out of my mouth, O God of all grace, let this come first and last: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

What better two words could anyone hear than Christ Jesus? What more could the heart of God yield or the treasure of heaven bestow, to exhaust my condemnation, to flood away my guilt, to translate me from death to life and from perdition to paradise than Christ Jesus?

He is my “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption;” my “all in all;” my “anchor;” “light of life;” “bread of life;” “Passover;” “Beloved;” “bridegroom”’ “foundation,” “cornerstone”; good, great, one, chief Shepherd; “peace;” “Prince and Saviour”; “Firstborn of many brethren;” “friend of sinners;” “hope;” “life;”’ “advocate;” “high priest” “mediator”—these are but the firstfruits of all His glories, and of even each of these I know but in part, nor yet the half. Pilate never knew how well he spoke when he cried, “Behold the Man!” and when he wrote “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Christ Jesus came into the world: These simple words chronicle a stoop spanning infinity, whose dimensions dwarf the universe—the very length, breadth, depth and height of the love of Christ that passes knowledge. Christ Jesus came into the world: Eternity cradled in time; infinity swaddled in space; omniscience hidden in ignorance; omnipotence poured into weakness; the Holy One seen in that holy thing born of the virgin Mary—“God manifest in the flesh.”

“Christ Jesus . . . being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Calvary alone can tell us how “God so loved the world”, and how far Christ Jesus came into the world.

13. No Reputation Didst Thou Make

No reputation didst Thou make

To save us from our sin,

When Thou, Lord Jesus, didst forsake

Thy throne, our flesh and blood to take:

No room was in the inn.

2 No beauty in Thee did we meet

As Thou on earth didst tread,

Through want and pain, in cold and heat,

No leisure so much as to eat—

No place to lay Thy head!

3 Our Guest unwelcome, gave we Thee

No water, kiss or oil?

In darkness of Gethsemane,

Throughout Thy prayers of agony,

No man cared for Thy soul!

4 Thy judges found no fault in Thee,

Who cam’st our souls to win:

Betrayed, deserted and denied,

For us condemned and crucified,

In Thee there is no sin!

5 No greater love hath any man

Than this which Thou hast shown:

No man can pluck us from Thy hand.

In no wise wilt Thou cast out him,

Who trusts in Thee alone!

6 Our sins no more retained, forgiven

Thy Blood hath cleansed and laved:

None other name from under heaven

To us, to any, has been given

Whereby we must be saved!

7 No man save Thee alone we see,

Jesus, our Lord, our God!

None to the Father, but by Thee,

The Life, Way, Truth that sets us free,

Can come, save through Thy Blood!

8.6.8.8.6.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 24; New Testament: Matthew 13 Psalm: 13

1 Timothy 1:15–16

Christ Jesus came into the world: Will I not pause, think, reflect, weep over this staggering work, this strange work? “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.” “The princes of this world crucified the Lord of glory.” “Ye denied the Just One, and slew the Prince of life” (John 1:10; 1 Cor 2:8; Acts 3:14–15). He could go no further than He went at Calvary to come into the world—He probed its darkest pit of condemnation, He descended into the hell it deserved, and took upon Himself the eternal curse of God upon it.

And why? To save sinners. “He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father.” “God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal 1:4; 6:14). Never was such truth spoken in jest as the mockery of the scribes, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.”

What more could He do, what more must He do, how much more must He yet suffer of my self-will, ignorance, folly and sin upon sin after sin, till I love Him as He loved me and gave Himself for me? When will the saying come to pass, that is written, “He shall see the travail of His soul, and be satisfied?”

Sinners of whom I am chief: Paul has confessed to this in writing Holy Scripture; he has spoken, moved by the Holy Ghost, and the things he writes are indeed the commandments of the Lord. The Scripture cannot be broken, so these sayings must be faithful and true. Like a man fleeing his shadow in sunlight all day, did Paul hasten through a lifetime’s zealous service, aware of the shadows of his past. While he sought forget the things behind and reach out for the things before, to press toward the prize of God’s high calling in Christ Jesus, he never lost the true humility of a pardoned sinner: “least of all the apostles” “less than least of all the saints,” “chief of sinners.” (1:15; 1 Cor 15:9; Eph 3:8). But though Paul be chief of sinners, and the Bible tells us so, yet am I a sinner, whose measure of sin cannot be far behind, who must love much because I am forgiven much. Let me then rejoice in the comfort which the Apostle’s admission brings—Howbeit 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. Grace reigns! Grace, greater than all my sin!

14. O the Depths of All the Riches

1 O the depths of all the riches

Men and angels ne’er can sound,

Both of wisdom and of knowledge

In the God of glory found!

How unsearchable His judgments,

And His ways past finding out!”

Now, O Zion, bring the tidings,

Lift thy voice with strength, and shout!

2 “Who would dare the Lord give counsel?

Who has known Jehovah’s mind?

God to none can be a Debtor,

Recompense from Him to find!

Of Him, through Him, to Him ever

Shall be, are and were all things!

Glory to Him be forever—

Amen!” All creation sings.

3 O ye heavens and earth, adore Him,

Men and angels, now extol

One true God, the Lord Jehovah,

Blest forever, over all!

Of the Father’s love elected,

Through the Son’s redeeming Blood,

To the Spirit’s grace perfected,

Praise we now the Triune God!

8.7.8.7D

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 25; New Testament: Matthew 14 Psalm: 14

1 Timothy 1:17

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

Amid pressing problems, insidious errors, and anxious concerns for Timothy, the Church at Ephesus, believers at large, and the cause of Gospel truth, Paul pauses to worship. He worships now. His personal, lively thanks for salvation (1:12–13), the total confidence in “the glorious Gospel of the blessed God” which his experience proves and patterns (1:11,14–16) crowd upon his heart and impel him to lift up holy hands and cry Now! Worship is the only proper conclusion for sound doctrine, just as worship will climax and close the whole drama of redemption (Rev. 1:4–6; 5–14; 7:9–17; 11:15–18; 14:1–7; 15; 19:1–10; 21:22–26).

Now unto the King: When Paul bids us worship, he calls us to acclaim God as King, a “great King above all gods;” to “kneel before the Lord our Maker” (Ps 95:6) and abase ourselves before His dread, awesome sovereignty. His “exceeding abundant grace with love and faith” in Christ Jesus manifests His supreme sovereignty and royal prerogatives. His aseity, eternity, invisibility and wisdom adorn His crown as the King (1:17). No ignorant teacher of the Law, for all his “vain jangling” can claim the allegiance which saints owe not to Paul himself, but only to the King, “the blessed God” whose Gospel of grace is committed to Paul’s trust (1:11). All honor and glory in our praises and prayers belong only unto the King.

Unto the King . . . God is my worship due. And all He reveals of Himself to me settles His crown rights as the King. Let me tremble before His presence (Ps 114:7); let me keep silence before Him (Zech 2:13; Hab 2:20); let me be still and know that He is God (Ps 46:10). Know that the LORD, He is God (Ps 100:3), eternal from everlasting to everlasting (Ps 90:2) immortal as the fountain of life (Ps 36:9) “I Am that I Am” (Exod 3:14) invisible in light to which none can approach, filling heaven and earth with His glory (6:16; Isa 6:3). He is the only . . . God for all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. He is in the heavens and has done whatsoever He pleased; so He is our help and our shield (Ps 96:5; 115:3,11). He is the only wise God: with Him is wisdom and strength; the deceived and deceiver are His, in whose hand is the breath of all mankind (Job 12:13, 16, 10). He takes the wise in their own craftiness, and knows their thoughts are vain (Job 5:5–15; Ps 94:11–15; 1 Chr 3:19–20). In praise we “give Him the glory due unto His Name” (Ps 96:8–9); we “honour Him with our substance” and service in obedience to His Word (1 Sam 2:29–39; Prov 3:5–10). His worship must endure as long as His worth, so our souls give unto the King . . . honor and glory forever and ever. As creatures we need to worship; as believers we delight to worship. For “Christ Jesus who came into the world to save sinners” in all His “exceeding abundant grace” constrains us to love and serve “the blessed God” as King. To that we can only say. Amen.

15. We praise Thy Name, O God most High!

1 We praise Thy Name, O God Most High!

Before Thy throne we gather;

We boldly now to Thee draw nigh

And call Thee “Abba, Father!”

Thou hast redeemed us by Thy Son;

In Jesus Christ we now are one:

For by His Blood and merit,

In us now lives Thy Spirit.

2 We now stand fast in liberty,

All bondage hence refusing,

For Christ thy Son has set us free

From sin, its fetters loosing:

Upon the Cross He bore our curse,

Thy wrath against us to disperse,

All righteousness fulfilling,

All condemnation stilling.

3 As once Thy Son in love did give

His life for us and died,

We by Thy Spirit walk and live

In Christ now crucified:

Grant us Thy name to glorify,

Our sinful flesh to mortify,

All fruits of grace displaying,

Thy holy Law obeying!

8.7.8.7.8.7.7.7.

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 26; New Testament: Matthew 15 Psalm: 15

1 Timothy 1:18–20

Paul puts this charge into Timothy’s hands—this charge to teach “the glorious Gospel of the blessed God”; the charge and “commandment” whose “end is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned”, the work of “godly edifying in faith”. Paul commits this charge to him—it is all in Timothy’s hands, to carry on through all his days, and then “to commit . . . to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (1:11,3–5; 2 Tim.2:2).

Timothy served his generation in the will of God and fulfilled this charge, as have countless other “faithful men” since, so that the Scriptures are now at my hand, the doctrines of the Gospel are known and confessed, the work of the ministry is now in my trust. Hence the apostles’ charge is now committed to me. How well will I at the end fulfill this charge?

Paul can confide in this particular disciple and convert Timothy as son Timothy. Paul cherishes him for he has “served as a son with the father . . . in the Gospel” and he “naturally cares” for the saints (Phil. 2:20, 22). Timothy’s deep affection for Paul brings him to tears (2 Tim.1:5). Shall I fulfill a son’s duty to my fathers in the faith, and the faith of my forefathers?

Paul’s confidence, though, does not rest in Timothy himself, rather according to the prophecies which went before him. God’s Word marked out Timothy’s gifts, and God’s Church confirmed them (4:14). And that Word commissions Timothy to war a good warfare. It is a battle at sea amid storms, for failure means shipwreck; it is defensive, protective action to endure the onslaught and emerge in position holding faith and a good conscience—“ to stand fast in the faith,” “to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all things, to stand” (1 Cor 16:13; Eph 6:13). Sometimes we advance; sometimes, we retrench. (2 John 8).

Jesus my Lord, Captain of my salvation, Prince and Savior, Thou hast overcome the world: grant me good cheer that I too may overcome, endure temptation, fight the good fight, finish my course and keep the faith! (John 16:33; Jas.1:12; 2 Tim. 4:7–8). Let me overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony! (Rev. 12:11).

16. Lord, is it I?

1 Lord Jesus, didst Thou truly say,

“One of the Twelve shall Me betray,

That share the dish with Me” ?

Each sorrowed heart the same reply

Returned to Thee, “Lord, is it I?”

As Thou their hearts did see! (Mark 14).

2 Their strife amid the Paschal Feast,

To rank the greatest and the least,

Sank into silent shame;

For who could tell among them all

Would faithful stand or faithless fall

When powers of darkness came? (Luke 22)

3 Such treachery fell th’appointed lot

Of Judas, named Iscariot:

His heart had Satan filled (John 13, Acts 1)

To sell his Master as a slave

To cruel foes, who gladly gave

A pittance which he willed. (Matt 26)

4 For half the price of ointment rare

Which Mary in her loving care

Bestowed on Christ so well, (Mark 14, John 12)

This devil, called perdition’s son, (John 6)

At thirty silver pieces, won (Matt 26)

His place in lowest hell! (Mark 14, John 17, Acts 1)

5 And yet, in vain would Peter cry,

“Though all forsake Thee, yet not I!”

In vain so all would say:

According to the Master’s Word,

Thrice Simon would deny his Lord

And all would flee away. (Matt 26)

6 Once more the Savior calls us here:

The bread and cup He bids us share,

Which speak of pardoned sin: (1 Cor 11)

Yet has each guest in Christ a part

To come with clean hands and pure heart

Thus to remember Him? (Ps 15)

7 Dare we presume we cannot stray,

Should we neglect to watch and pray,

When comes the tempter dread? (Mark 14)

Dare we provoke our jealous Lord

In gorging from this vile world’s board,

And touching then His bread? (1 Cor 10)

8 So now, at this our feast of love,

Let every saint his own soul prove,

Examination make!

Let us at Table find a place

Of true repentance, faith, and grace

Before we here partake! (1 Cor 1)

8.8.6.8.8

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 27 New Testament: Matthew 16 Psalm: 16

1 Timothy 1:18–20

Paul has already given Timothy ample warning against the dereliction of his duty toward this charge. Some have already made shipwreck. The entire freight of their ministry is lost on the seas of time, and their lives are shattered. “Having preached to others” they themselves are now “castaways” (1 Cor 9:27). What has run them aground is that they have put away . . . faith and a good conscience. By the arrogance of unbelief, by pernicious heresy, or perverse opposition to “godly edifying in faith” they have learned to blaspheme.

Paul will not pass over these disgraced souls in shameful anonymity; no, he names names. The Holy Ghost who moves him to write names names. Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander. These two have ploughed their furrow, made their mark, and left their record. Their sin is engraven with an iron pen upon the sacred page. In the landscape of Scripture, they gleam as pillars of salt. Through history they stand as condemned as they shall to eternity. The Savior told His disciples to rejoice because their names were written in heaven. What is written on high, of me?

Paul has cut short any evil influence they might have in the Churches: whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they learn not to blaspheme. Excommunication has sentenced them to live as “heathen or publican” (Matt 18: 17), profaned as once they professed Christ’s Name in vain that they may learn not to blaspheme. To put away . . . faith and “teach any other doctrine” or “give heed to fables” to “turn aside” to “vain jangling”—this is to blaspheme. For to cast aside “the glorious Gospel of the blessed God” is no other than “to give heed to . . . doctrines of devils” and be fit to be delivered unto Satan. The prompt discipline of the congregation has placed them henceforth outside, among the incestuous, the fornicator, the covetous, the idolater, the drunkard, the railer, the extortionist and the wicked. Such hypocrites and reprobates are consigned to Satan (1 Cor 5:1–5,11,13). The devil still goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet.5:8–9). He preys upon the proud , and ensnares the erring (3:6–7; 2 Tim. 2:24–26) as easy pickings. “Resist the devil and he will flee” (Jas. 4:7).

17. The Gospel of Salvation

1 The Gospel of salvation

In Christ the world shall bless:

Proclaim to every nation

The faith we now confess.

O let God’s Word unhindered

Its full, free course now gain,

Till every tribe and kindred

Shall praise the Lamb once slain!

2 Declare to all the story

The Holy Scriptures tell:

God sent His Son from glory

To save our souls from hell—

One only Mediator,

The Father sanctified:

The Virgin-born Redeemer,

Christ Jesus, crucified.

3 The fullness of the Godhead

Dwells in Him bodily,

For only thus His bloodshed

Availed at Calvary:

Our nature, sinless, sharing,

He lived, thus to provide

Our righteousness, and bearing

Our sins, for us He died.

4 The Savior slain is risen!

He ever lives to plead

At God’s right hand in heaven

Our cause in all our need:

No other name can save us,

None to the Father come

But by this same Lord Jesus,

Our Savior, God the Son!

5 God now commands to all men:

Repent of sin; believe

This Gospel of salvation,

And Jesus Christ receive!

He lives and pleads to save us

Unto the uttermost:

Convict, convert and call them—

Lord God, the Holy Ghost!

6 O Triune God, Jehovah,

Beside Thee there is none:

We worship, praise and bless Thee

Who hast Salvation won:

We laud the holy Father,

the co-eternal Son,

and Holy Ghost—none other,

Our God, the Three in One.

7.6.7.6. D

Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 28; New Testament: Matthew 17 Psalm: 17

1 Timothy: Reading over Chapter 1

The burden of the Word of the Lord in this first chapter of 1 Timothy has been to preserve the purity of sound doctrine, and through it the saving power of the Gospel. Let me review and reflect on this chapter, hiding God’s Word in my heart, praying that my heart might be sound in His statutes.

Prayer for the defense and confirmation of the Gospel:

Glory to God in the highest

And on earth peace goodwill toward men!

Glad tidings of great joy to all people hast Thou published to us

O Lord God:

To us a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

His Name is Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.

Thou hast anointed Him, and the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him

To preach good tidings to the poor

Deliverance to captives, sight to the blind, liberty to the bruised!

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