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faith and the faithfulness of Paul the pattern given by God. When therefore, we arrive at
the apostle's own summing up, we read:
"I have fought a good fight.
I have finished my course.
I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH" (II Tim. 4: 7).
Love is there, for the crown which the Lord will award the apostle who "kept the
faith" is for all them also the LOVE His appearing (8). "Longsuffering" makrothumia;
from makros "far" as in (Luke 15: 13, 19: 12), or "long" as in (Luke 20: 47); and
thumos, wrath (Gal. 5: 20), indignation (Rom. 2: 8). Thumos is from thuo to rush
impetuously, and then in the New Testament times, to slay either as a sacrifice
(Mark 14: 12), or for food (Acts 10: 13). Makrothumia is another word that occurs
fourteen times in the New Testament. That it was an integral part of the apostle's
character we may learn from II Cor. 6::
"Approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience . . . . . by
longsuffering . . . . . by love unfeigned" (4-6).
This longsuffering had been made manifest in his own case (I Tim. 1: 16) and is
enjoined upon Timothy and all who follow after.
"Preach the word . . . . . with all longsuffering and doctrine" (II Tim. 4: 2).
In Hebrews, where the word is translated "patience", we have a parallel with
II Timothy, for both epistles have a reward in view.
"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and longsuffering
inherit the promises" (Heb. 6: 12).
"Longsuffering" is an integral part of the walk that is worthy of our calling
(Eph. 4: 2), and is essential to the walk that is worthy of the Lord (Col. 1: 11). It
becomes the elect of God (3: 12) and is evidently a reflection of that image after which
the new man has been created (1: 11). If any of our readers can read these words without
the humbling sense of failure in the past to reach this high standard, then they are already
much nearer to perfection than the writer of these lines, or they are blind to their own
shortcomings. Why did the apostle associate "faith" with "longsuffering"? Possibly for
the same reason that he joined together the two exhortations "Do all to the glory of God"
and "Give none offence". In urging Timothy to maintain the faith, he did not want him to
become a bigot, consequently, he added to faith, longsuffering, that the balance might be
maintained.
"Charity" agape. There is a world of theology packed into the choice and the history
of this word. The word "charity" has lost its primitive meaning to-day, its stages being
indicated by the passing of time, and suggested in the following:
(1)
"The charity of God, that is in Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 8: 39).
(2)
"Charity begins at home."
(3)
"As cold as charity."