 |  |
an assembly should ever be indicated as "the pillar and ground of truth". Nowhere in the
whole range of N.T. teaching is such an idea to be found. If we ignore the punctuation of
the English versions, recognize the fact that a change of theme is indicated in 3: 16,
omit the article that has been added by the A.V., we shall arrive at the following:
". . . . . how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God which is the church of
the living God. A pillar and ground of the truth and confessedly great is the mystery of
godliness" (I Tim. 3: 15, 16).
It is Christ Himself Who is the pillar and ground of the truth, even as He is the
foundation of I Cor. 3: 10, 11 and of II Tim. 2: 19. This foundation is "firm" and
"sure". There is no possibility of it ever failing. The only room for doubt is connected
with the building erected by the believer, which building is likened to erections made of
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay and stubble in I Corinthians; and by a change in
the figure, the likeness is to that of gold, silver, wood and earthen vessels in II Tim. 2:
Consequently our attention is directed in II Tim. 2: 19 not to the foundation, about
which no doubt is entertained, but to the seal that is found upon it. There is an interesting
note in Calmet's Dictionary which we transcribe:
"Among the representations of seals collected by Mr. Taylor, is one from Tavernier,
being that of the first minister of state of some oriental prince. The seal, in the original, is
set on the back of the patent, no man daring to affix his seal on the same side as the King;
and this Mr. Taylor thinks may give the true bearing of the apostle's expression
(II Tim. 2: 19), The foundation of God standeth sure having this motto around the seal--
this inscription `The Lord knoweth them who are His'. And this inscription is on the
enclosed, the folded, side of the patent, not visible to us: whereas, on the open side, the
exposed part of the patent, is the counter-inscription `Let all who name the name of Christ
depart from iniquity'."
Here we have in the two inscriptions of this seal, the two great doctrines of Divine
Sovereignty and human responsibility. We are encouraged as we realize that we are
known to the Lord, but this fundamental truth is stated but not elaborated. In this passage
the apostle is enforcing the necessity for those who know they were chosen before the
overthrow of the world (Eph. 1: 4), and whose calling goes back before the age times
(II Tim. 1: 9) to act accordingly and to realize that such a calling and such a choice
necessitates there shall be no conscious compromise with iniquity, even though it mean
the "shunning" and "avoiding" of believers by reason of their evil doctrine. The reader
will find suggestion for much thought by observing that both sides of this seal of
II Tim. 2: 19 are found in Numb. 16:
"The Lord will show who are His" (16: 5).
"Depart I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men" (16: 26).
We may ask, In what way does II Tim. 2: resemble Numb. 16:? We should
remember that Korah objected to the possibility that some of Israel may have been called
to higher glory and closer relationship to the Lord in their service, than others and we
may perceive the trend of the apostle's thought if we read II Tim. 2: 20 as follows: