The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-12-09
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for December
IL, 1S07-Paul's Last WOrds-2 Tim-
Othy 4,1.S. l4.1S.

II, 1s87-PauIs Last words-2 Tim-
Othy 4,1-S. 1918.
ARRANGED from Peloubet's Notes.l
GOLDEN TEXT have fought good
fight l have finished my course, have
kept the faith.-2 Tim. Al.
THE SECTION includes the whole Epis-
tie.
Timothy was written about A. D. &C. not
long before the martyrdom Of Paul at
Rome.
EXPLANATORY.
The Circumstances.-At the close of
the Acts we left Paul in prison at Rome,
but in his own hired house. Soon after
that he was released. So far as can
be learned, he went on with his mission
ary work for three or four years, and
then was arrested and brought again to
Rome. He was now probably in the
dark, foul, lower dungeon of the
Mamertine prison which even now it
makes one shudder to enter, even with
light and guide.
1. Motives for Faithfulness.-V. /.
II charge thee:" This is my dying re-
quest, the charge l lay upon you. Be
fore God," the Father, land the Lord
and whom he delights to honor and
proclaim. who shall judge the quick"
those living at the time of the judg-
ment, land the dead" those who have
fallen asleep before His appearing 20
Judge the world. and to enter upon
His completed kingdom.
II. The Teachers Work.--V. 2. O
Preach" proclaim as herald. Make
known the good news. This is what
he charged Timothy to do by all the
motives enforced in verse /. "The
word" The truths of the Gospel of
Christ, who is the Word of God.
(2) "Be instant" give attention to,
apply yourself to, be earnest, pressing.
"In season, out of season." at the regu-
lar appointed times, and whenever an
opportunity comes in any form. or at
any time.
(3) "Reprove:" The same word that
is used in John 1858. when Jesus says
that the spirit shall reprove, r. V. con-
vict, convince, the world of sin. 1t
means the showing one his fault" or
error, so that he may forsake it.
az "Rebuke:" There are times
when only the severe, sharp reDuke
| will penetrate the soul and awaken
men to duty.
(5) "Exhort:" Awaken courage
arouse, strengthen good purposes.
All this is to be done with LONG suf-
fering," patience, for the process of
making men good is slow and discour-
| aging, land doctrine" teaching. line
upon line, precept upon precept.
| III. Opposition, and How to Meet it.
VS.. 3-5. There is need of the above
charge because opposition will arise.
3. will not endure sound" healthful,
good for the soul. doctrine" teaching.
| The teacher of sound doctrine will be-
come unpopular. "But after their own
| lusts," their evil desires. They will
want to sin, and hence will reject those
who teach holiness, and will heap"
up, load themselves with, adding one
| kind to another, teachers" who will
| teach according to their lusts, the things
| that please, not the things that are
healthful and true. Having" that is,
| the scholars having Itching ears" itch
ing for some novelty, for some pleasing
! that tastes good, not that which cures.
4. Turn away" 1t is the eternal
| punishment of him who departs from
| the apostolic witnesses that he loses
| himself in the whirlpool of manifold
errors. Whoever will not listen to what
is true, but only to what is pleasant,
will at last abandon himself to silly,
| fantastic chimeras.
w. Paul's Good Fight of Faith.-Vs.
6, 2. 6. For" because my work is
done, let my mantle fall on you. You
take up the work must leave. II am
now ready to be offered" as a sacrifice
| to the cause. He knew that at any
hour the sword of Nero might end his
life by martyrs death.
| 7. II have fought good fght:" The
fight against sin and wrong within and
without, the fight against error, aga INST
all that would overthrow the Gospel.
II have finished my course:" AS a
Christian athlete in the games, he had
run the race. and reached the goal he
sought. He had not fallen or faltered
in the race, but had ''kept the faith" he
had received in spite Of all hindrances
and enemies.
v. The Crown of Victory.-V. 8.
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a
CROWN" Having compared his labors
to the exertions of the combatants at
the games, he represents his reward
under the idea of q crown, because
that was the reward bestowed on the
victors in these combats. "Crown of
righteousness" The crown awarded
to righteousness.
vi. Light in Darkness.-Vs. 1918
16. mo man stood with me:" He notes
in verses 1915 some of his experiences
II. 'The Lord stood with me:" This
special presence was at the first an
swer, verse 16, and God enabled him to