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A parallel passage that but confirms this blessed association of the Saviour and the
saint is Phil. 1: 19:--
"For I know that this shall turn to my salvation, through your prayer (the saints
helping together), and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (the Saviour). According to
my earnest expectation" (the recipient).
Here once again we have this blessed chain that binds us all around the throne of God.
Shall we not rise to such a call for fellowship?
#31.
"Heights and Depths."
pp. 61, 62
It is beyond our knowledge to be able to say, without reserve, that the apostle Paul
was the greatest servant of the Lord Jesus that ever lived, but we do know that he was one
of the greatest. We learn much by the noble example he sets us in faith, in hope and
in love and its labours. It is, however, written for our consolation that he suffered as we
do, felt as we do, prayed as we do, and lived the daily round as we do. In the midst of a
passage dealing with the delicate problem of church government, and immediately after
giving a charge "before God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels", Paul suddenly
descends to earth and sends a little private advice concerning Timothy's weak stomach
(I Tim. 5: 23); and then without ceremony or explanation he resumes his theme
concerning church government. The incongruity is only superficial. Timothy, though
possessed of spiritual gifts, was an "earthen vessel", and Paul knew that physical
disability often interferes with spiritual witness. If we were more spiritual and less
shallow we should accept the fulness of truth that can sweep all things into the service of
God, and sense no dissonance when reading of elect angels, church officers, Timothy's
infirmities, Paul's prescription, and the day of judgment.
In the second epistle to Timothy, Paul's martyrdom is in full view. During his life of
service he had suffered as few men ever suffered, yet how refreshing it is to see the utter
absence of "pose". We have full, deep and utter consecration, but not one word of the
heroic:--
"The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee"
(II Tim. 4: 13).
The man who was happy in the prospect of "being offered" (II Tim. 4: 6), and who
could stand unashamed and unperturbed though all men forsook him (1: 12 and 4: 16),
had too great a conception of truth to pander to the flesh and write:--
Do not think of bringing the cloak from Troas. What is a little cold to one in whose
breast burns the holy fire of martyrdom?