South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-05
TELLS OF PAUL'S
LETTERS IN TALK
AT TRINITY M. E
Rev. Russell L. Phillips Says
There We're Two Pre-
vailing Strains.

There are two prevailing strains
IN PauI.s second epistIe 20 Tiroothv. %
said the Rev Russell L. Phillips at
the Trinity " L. church Sunday
morning, "One of a personal triumph
attained, the other OF o aeeL alA4e,y
for the continuance Of the spread OF
The church"
The circumstances surrounding
the writing of PauTs second letter
To Timothy are most interesting
There IS no doubt ia my mind but
that Paul was acquitted after mis-
first Roman imprisonment and that
he made other journeys possibly
preaching the gospel in Spain and
again IN Asia Minor as he revisited
the churches which he had estab-
lished. IL was during this trip that
ne left Timothy at Ephesus as the
head Of that church.
Paul Arrested.
1T was not long until Paul was
arrested for "a second time and
taken 20 Rome under the wicked
and ruthless reign OF Nero. who put
ali Christians under the ban and
who saw III TO put scores 10 death
for no other reason than that they
were called Christians" During
this imprisonment Paul was no
doubt placed in the historic dun
Eeon with none of the personal
privileges which had been extended
him before. No friend was with him
but Luke. the physician, VINO had
been his travelling mate for some
years. These then were the circum-
stances surrounding the writings OF
this epistle. the reasons will come
out as we proceed.
Though Paul depressed
physically and very lonely i'm heart
his spirit in Jesus Christ was bOuy-
ant. even more so than ever. There
Is prevalent in this letter the as
surance Of "a personal triumph at
tanned. These last words OF Paul
are fraught with some memorable
statements which the Christian
church shall never surrender nor
forget This tireless apostle pro-
claimed thu great JOY of his life
in these words:
God gave US not a spirit OF fear
fitness. I suffer yet am not
ashamed; for / know him whom 1
have believed, and am persuaded
that ne is able 10 keep that which /
have committed unto him against
that day suffer hardship. unto
bonds. as a malefactOr, but the
word OF God Is not bound The firm
foundation Of God standest, having
this seal. the Lord kuoweth them
that are his 7 have fought the
good fight. have finished the
course. have kept the faith: hence
forth there is laid UP for me a crown
OF righteousness which the Lord. the
righteous Judge, shall give TO me at
that day In this Paul proclaimed
The entire essence Of his spiritual
life
Holds Deep Anxiety.
He passes from this spirit of per-
sonal attainment TO his deep ankle
" for the church Of Jesus Christ
which he has esta blished in so many
places Conscious that he would
never be able 10 visit them again
for death was hanging over him;
conscious OF his deep concern about
the progress OF this important work;
conscious OF the great factor limo
thy could be in keeping this work
going. conscious too Of the fact that
Timothy was at times respondent
and fearful. yet knowing full we'll
that, his child IN the gospel, man
Of strength, was always Obedient
unto commands and commissions;
with this consciousness upon him
Paul sets himself TO the task of
strengthening Timothy for the pur-
pose of commissioning him to take
the place OF the one who was Iass-
ing out OF this great field of Chris
tian endeavOr.
Paul summons all his mental
ability for this vital matter OF the
conservation and the progress Of
the gospel OF Jesus Christ. He sets
ia the foreground an utterance Of
confidence in the one whom he is
addressing and with whom he is
pleading. having been reminded of
the unfeigned faith that Is In thee.
which dwelt first I'm thy grand
mother Lois. and thy mother Eu-
nice; and, ! am persuaded in thee
also.
Appeals for Timothy.
Paul follows this with an appeal
for Timothy TO put all fear and
every idea Of suffering aside. for
which cause I put these in remem-
brance that thou stir up the gift Of
God. which Is IN thee through the
laying on OF my hands, for God
gave US not a spirit OF fearfulness;
but OF power and love and discip-
line. BE not ashamed therefore Of
the testimony OF our Lord, nor of
me his prisoner. but suffer hardship
with the gospel according TO the
power OF God His closing appeal
Is pathetic. yet powerful. and full
OF the spirit which was continually
dominating Paurs life, Suffer hard
ship. do the work OF an evangelist
fulfll thy ministry for l am already
being offered