The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-01
- The
Sunday=Sch
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR DECEMBER 1o.

Subject: Paul's Last Words, 2 Tim.
4:1-1s-Golden Text: Phil. 4:
21-Commit Verses G-S-Com-
mentary on the Lesson.
TIME.-A. y. GIGS.
PLACE.-Rome. g.
EXPOSITION.-I. Paul's Last
Charge to Timothy, 1-S. This is a
most solemn charge both in its form
and in it's contents. The fact that
|. Christ is coming again to judge both
the living and the dead is mighty
incentive to faithful work. The key
note of Paul's charge is found in the
three last words Of v. 5, r. V. Paul
gives Timothy four reason for fulfill
ing his ministry: Cd v. /; Cd V. 6;
Cd vs.. 3-5; "a vs.. II, 1877. In the
closing verses Of the third chapter
Paul has urged Timothy to study the
word, he urges him to preach it.
The word alone has power to save, to
convict, to regenerate, to edify, to
comfort, to cleanse, to do all that
every man most needs to have done
(cf. Acts 2:37; / Pet. 1928; az; Jas.
1:21; Acts 20:32; Ps. 1899, IL;
Jno. 1879, therefore the word is the
only thing any man can AFFORD to
preach. The word should be preached
with energy at every possible oppor.
tunity, Gin season, out Of season"
Every form of earnest preaching
should be made use Of, reproof, re-
buke, exhortation. But no matter
how stem the reproof that is demand
ed, it should always be with all long
/ suffering" and with teaching. The
reason why we should make the best
use of every opportunity is, because
there Is a time coming when they will
not endure the sound doctrine. The
time Paul speaks of has already
come with many. Itching ears" are
ears that desire to be tickled with
some new teaching, ears that never
want to hear the old, mo matter how
true and precious 1t Is, but are ever
running after the new, no matter
how false and foolish 1t is (Acts II:
21). The world is governed by its
lusts, and demands teachers after
their own lusts." These teachers
never satisfy the real craving Of the
heart, SO they heap them up" What
a picture this is of our own times. In
view of the grieyous character Of the
time the follower of Christ should be
Sober (clear headed and wakefuD
"in all things" It is not a time to
seek easy places, but to Suffer hard
ship" to do the work of an evangelist
Constantly tell the glad tidings OF
salvation in CHRISTI, to fulfill" our
ministry (make full use of it,. Paul
appeals TO the fact that his own
earthly ministry was so near ended
to stir up Timothy to harder effort.
The fact that the great workers OF
the past are falling out of the ranks
should stir every one of US to more
earnest effort. Paul had poured his
life out for Christ and His people, so
he compares himself to a drink offer
ing that is being poured out (R. ",
Marg.; CT. Phil. 2:17, r. W. He
also compares his departure from
this world to a vessel loosing its
moorings and putting out to sea. He
weS sailing to a better port (Phil. j:
20, r. W. In v. 8 the Christian life
is compared to a fight, a race, and to
a sacred trust of faith" to be kept,
Looking at the Christian life in each
aspect, Paul could say II have been
faithful" We live In a day when but
few are willing to fight, or to run, and
when few can say, II have kept the
/ faith" The many are willing to give
1t up at the demand of the first plau-
sible speaker who assures them thai
"all the scholars have now given UP
this old fashioned doctrine" (cf. Jude
3. R. w.. Paul turns his eyes from
the past to the future, from what he
had done to what he should receive, g
crown that would more than compen.
safe for all the hard fighting an6
painful running. The Lord Himself
would bestow the crown "at thai
day." i. e., at His appearing (cf
Matt. 16:2O. That crown is only
for one class of people, them thai
love His appearing"
II. Paul Deserted by Man. Defend
ed by the Lord, 1918. Paul wa:
one of the loneliest men that ever
walked the earth. Like his Master
he was deserted by all mel in the
hour of his deepest need (cf. Matt
1850. 1t was a cowardly act OF
the part of his friends. but, Paul for
gave them and prayed God that HI
might forgive them. But though de-
serted by men Paul was not deserted
the Lord stood with" him. Tina
was enough (cf. Rom. $50. Better
to have all men forsake us and the
Lord with us, than to have all mel
with us and the Lord forsake US. On
can stand anywhere if only the Lore
stands with him The Lord not onl!
! stood with Paul but strengthened
Paul to stand himself. The Lord
purpose in strengthening Paul t.
stand was that 1.-The message nigh
be fully proclaimed" (R. W. Thu
Lord desired that all the Gentile
might hear. Paul was in danger o
being thrown to the lions, but tn
Lord delivered him out of the mouth
of the lions. AS the Lord had al
ready delivered him from peril in thu
past, he had every confidence tina
God would deliver him in the future
from every evil work. With a hear
full of gratitude he ascribed glory tt
God unto the ages of the ages"