'How To' Instructions in Righteousness    printer-friendly

Lesson 34:

Keep this commandment
Be without spot
Be unrebukeable
Remain fervent to the end


Key verse: 
1 Timothy 6:14
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Keep this commandment

Referring particularly to the solemn injunction which he had just given him, to "fight the good fight of faith," but perhaps also including all that he had enjoined on him. –Barnes

Two things are mentioned here:

1. That the commandment itself-the whole doctrine of Christ, should be kept entire.

2. That his life should be agreeable to that doctrine. Keep it without spot-let there be no blot on the sacred book; add nothing to it; take nothing from it; change nothing in it. Deliver down to thy successors the truth as thou hast had it from God himself. –Adam Clarke

That thou keep this commandment. Commandment seems to be used here as a comprehensive word for the Gospel, as Christ used it in John 12:50 –Wycliffe 

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. –John 12:50

Keep this commandment-Greek, 'the commandment;' i.e., the Gospel rule (John 13:34; 1 Tim 1:5; Titus 2:12; 2 Peter 2:21; 3:2). –JFB

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. –John 13:34

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. –1 Tim 1:5

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. –Titus 2:12

For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. –2 Peter 2:21

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour. –2 Peter 3:2

It is clear that "this commandment" is in reference to the entire gospel rule.  This is how the church is taught today.  It is taught doctrine which is the whole Word of God and Christ in particular.
 

Be without spot

It seems harsh, and is unusual, to apply the epithet, "without spot"-aspilos (NT:784)-to a command or doctrine, and the passage may be so construed that this may be understood as referring to Timothy himself-"That thou keep the commandment so that thou mayest be without spot and unrebukeable.  The word here rendered "without spot," occurs in the New Testament only here and in James 1:27; 1 Peter 1:19; 2 Peter 3:14. It means without any "stain" or "blemish; pure." If applied here to Timothy, it means that he should so keep the command that there would be no stain on his moral character; if to the doctrine, that that should be kept pure.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. –James 1:27

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. –1 Peter 1:19

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. –2 Pet 3:14 --Barnes

Keeping the commandment spotless and without reproach means both teaching and living above reproach. –Wycliffe

Without spot, unrebukeable-agreeing with "thou" [as aspilon (NT:784), anepileempton (NT:423) are applied in the New Testament only to persons]. Kept the commandment; so be without spot, etc. "Pure" (1 Tim 5:22; Eph 5:27; James 1:27; 2 Peter 3:14). –JFB

There is much more here than what meets the eye and mind on the first read.  The new minister, Timothy, is being given a four-fold set of instructions:

1) Keep the doctrine pure.
2) Teach this pure doctrine without adding anything to it or taking anything away.  Do not stray from it.
3) Conform yourself to the doctrine, which is the mind and character of God, the Father and Christ.
4) Do not allow the elements of the world to battle with or degrade your conformation to the doctrine.
 
Be Unrebukeable
So that there be no occasion for reproach or reproof. –Barnes
 
Let there be nothing in thy conduct or spirit contrary to this truth. Keep the truth, and the truth will keep thee.--Clarke’s

Most biblical rebuke is from the Lord and this is the clear intent here.  These elements of being without spot and unrebukeable are personal and between God and the firstfruit.  The verse is not an encouragement for one in the congregation to go looking for "spots" in their brethren or to personally rebuke them.  The whole verse is taking about the overall concept of lifelong character development in the Salvation Process rather than the event of a sin being committed.  In other words, a "spot" is not necessarily a committed sin.  It is development of conduct, habit or thinking that is contrary to doctrine and the character of Christ.  Only God can ultimate judge this.  If we, over a period of time [a process], stray from the doctrine and the Salvation Process [backsliding], we open ourselves to rebuke from God.
 
Remain fervent to the end
Hand it down pure, and let thy conduct be a comment on it, that it may continue in the world and in the church until the coming of Christ. –Clarke’s

Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ-in person (2 Thess 2:8; 2 Tim 4:1; Titus 2:13). Believers then used to set before themselves as a motive the day of Christ as at hand; we, the hour of death. The fact has in all ages of the Church been certain; the time as uncertain to Paul as it is to us (cf. 1 Tim 6:15): the Church's true attitude is, continual expectation of her Lord's return (1 Cor 1:8; Phil 1:6,10). –JFB

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. –2 Thess 2:8

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. –2 Tim 4:1

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. –Titus 2:13

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. –1 Cor 1:8

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.Phil 1:6

The church, the ministry and the individual firstfruit are to continue in the ways of righteousness, in the Word of God and in the Salvation Process until the end.  We are to be fervent in our journey to this end.  God is giving us His promise that He will finish this molding process unto the end as we remain fervent in the Salvation Process.
 

Lesson 34: Instructions 
 
 1) Keep the whole Gospel rule.
 2) Know the ways of righteousness.

 
3) Keep the doctrine pure.
 4) Teach this pure doctrine without adding anything to it or taking anything away.  Do not stray from it.
 5) Conform yourself to the doctrine, which is the mind and character of God, the Father and Christ.
 6) Do not allow the elements of the world to battle with or degrade your conformation to the doctrine.
 7) Remain fervent in the ways of righteousness unto the end.


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