{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/113/1130121.htm","path":"chr/ecf/113/1130121.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/113/1130121.htm","text":"\u201cAll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.\u201d [R.V.: Every Scripture inspired of God is also profitable, &c.]\nHaving offered much exhortation and consolation from other sources, he adds that which is more perfect, derived from the Scriptures; and he is reasonably full in offering consolation, because he has a great and sad thing to say. For if Elisha, ho was with his master to his last breath, when he saw him departing as it were in death, 1423 rent his garments for grief, what think you must this disciple suffer, so loving and so beloved, upon hearing that his master was about to die, and that he could not enjoy his company when he was near his death, which is above all things apt to be distressing? For we are less grateful for the past time, when we have been deprived of the more recent intercourse of those who are departed. For this reason when he had previously offered much consolation, he then discourses concerning his own death: and this in no ordinary way, but in words adapted to comfort him and fill him with joy; so as to have it considered as a sacrifice rather than a death; a migration, as in fact it was, and a removal to a better state. \u201cFor I am now ready to be offered up\u201d (2 Tim. iv. 6.), he says. For this reason he writes: \u201cAll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, 1424 and is profitable for doctrine, p. 510 for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.\u201d All what Scripture? all that sacred writing, he means, of which I was speaking. This is said of what he was discoursing of; about which he said, \u201cFrom a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures.\u201d All such, then, \u201cis given by inspiration of God\u201d; therefore, he means, do not doubt; and it is \u201cprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.\u201d\n\u201cFor doctrine.\u201d For thence we shall know, whether we ought to learn or to be ignorant of anything. And thence we may disprove what is false, thence we may be corrected and brought to a right mind, may be comforted and consoled, and if anything is deficient, we may have it added to us.\n\u201cThat the man of God may be perfect.\u201d For this is the exhortation of the Scripture given, that the man of God may be rendered perfect by it; without this therefore he cannot be perfect. Thou hast the Scriptures, he says, in place of me. If thou wouldest learn anything, thou mayest learn it from them. And if he thus wrote to Timothy, who was filled with the Spirit, how much more to us!\n\u201cThoroughly furnished unto all good works\u201d; not merely taking part in them, he means, but \u201cthoroughly furnished.\u201d\n2 Tim. 4.1. \u201cI charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead.\u201d\nHe either means the wicked and the just, or the departed and those that are still living; for many will be left alive. In the former Epistle he raised his fears, saying, \u201cI give thee charge in the sight of God, Who quickeneth all things\u201d (1 Tim. vi. 13.): but here he sets before him what is more dreadful, \u201cWho shall judge the quick and the dead,\u201d that is, Who shall call them to account \u201cat His appearing and His kingdom.\u201d When shah He judge? at His appearing with glory, and in His kingdom. Either he says this to show that He will not come in the way that He now has come, or, \u201cI call to witness His coming, and His kingdom.\u201d He calls Him to witness, showing that he had reminded Him of that appearing. Then teaching him how he ought to preach the word, he adds,\n2 Tim. 4.2. \u201cPreach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.\u201d\nWhat means \u201cin season, out of season\u201d? That is, have not any limited season: let it always be thy season, not only in peace and security, and when sitting in the Church. Whether thou be in danger, in prison, in chains, or going to thy death, at that very time reprove. Withhold not rebuke, for reproof is then most seasonable, when thy rebuke will be most successful, when the reality is proved. \u201cExhort,\u201d he says. After the manner of physicians, having shown the wound, he gives the incision, he applies the plaster. For if you omit either of these, the other becomes useless. If you rebuke without convicting, you will seem to be rash, and no one will tolerate it, but after the matter is proved, he will submit to rebuke: before, he will be headstrong. And if you convict and rebuke, but vehemently, and do not apply exhortation, 1425 all your labor will be lost. For conviction 1426 is intolerable in itself if consolation be not mingled with it. As if incision, though salutary in itself, have not plenty of lenitives to assuage the pain, the patient cannot endure cutting and hacking, so it is in this matter.\n\u201cWith all longsuffering and doctrine.\u201d For he that reproves is required to be longsuffering, that he may not believe hastily, and rebuke needs consolation, that it may be received as it ought. And why to \u201clongsuffering\u201d does he add \u201cdoctrine\u201d? \u201cNot as in anger, not as in hatred, not as insulting over him, not as having caught an enemy. Far be these things from thee.\u201d But how? As loving as sympathizing with him, as more distressed than himself at his grief, as melted at his sufferings? \u201cWith all longsuffering and doctrine.\u201d No ordinary teaching is implied.\n2 Tim. 4.3. \u201cFor the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.\u201d\nBefore they grow stiffnecked, 1427 preoccupy them all. For this reason he says, \u201cin season, out of season\u201d; do everything, so as to have willing disciples.\n\u201cBut after their own lusts,\u201d he says, \u201cshall they heap to themselves teachers.\u201d\nNothing can be more expressive than these words. For by saying \u201cthey shall heap to themselves,\u201d he shows the indiscriminate multitude of the teachers, as also by their being elected by their disciples. \u201cThey shall heap to themselves teachers,\u201d he says, \u201chaving itching ears.\u201d Seeking for such as speak to gratify and delight their hearers.\n2 Tim. 4.4. \u201cAnd they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables.\u201d\nThis he foretells, not as willing to throw him into despair, but to prepare him to bear it firmly, when it shall happen. As Christ also did in saying, \u201cThey will deliver you up, and they will scourge you, and bring you before the synagogues, for My name\u2019s sake.\u201d (Matt. x. 17.) And this blessed man elsewhere says, \u201cFor I know this, that after my departures shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.\u201d (Acts 20.29p. 511 .) But this he said that they might watch, and duly use the present opportunity.\n2 Tim. 4.5. \u201cBut watch thou in all things, endure affliction.\u201d\nIt was for this therefore, that he foretold these things; as Christ also toward the end predicted that there should be \u201cfalse Christs and false prophets\u201d; so he too, when he was about to depart, spoke of these things. \u201cBut watch thou in all things, endure affliction\u201d; that is, labor, preoccupy their minds before this pestilence assails them; secure the safety of the sheep before the wolves enter in, everywhere endure hardship.\n\u201cDo the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.\u201d Thus it was the work of an evangelist that he should endure hardship, both in himself, and from those without; \u201cmake full proof of\u201d that is, fulfill \u201cthy ministry.\u201d And behold another necessity for his enduring affliction,\n2 Tim. 4.6. \u201cFor I am now ready to be poured out, 1428 and the time of my departure is at hand.\u201d\nHe has not said of my sacrifice; but, what is much more, \u201cof my being poured out.\u201d For the whole of the sacrifice was not offered to God, but the whole of the drink-offering was.\n2 Tim. 4.7. \u201cI have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.\u201d\nOften, when I have taken the Apostle into my hands, and have considered this passage, I have been at a loss to understand why Paul here speaks so loftily: \u201cI have fought the good fight.\u201d But now by the grace of God I seem to have found it out. For what purpose then does he speak thus? He is desirous to console the despondency of his disciple, and therefore bids him be of good cheer, since he was going to his crown, having finished all his work, and obtained a glorious end. Thou oughtest to rejoice, he says, not to grieve. And why? Because, \u201cI have fought the good fight.\u201d As a father whose son was sitting by him, bewailing his orphan state, might console him, saying, Weep not, my son; we have lived a good life, we have arrived at old age, and now we leave thee. Our life has been irreproachable, we depart with glory, and thou mayest be held in admiration for our actions. Our king is much indebted to us. As if he had said, We have raised trophies, we have conquered enemies, and this not boastfully. God forbid; but to raise up his dejected son, and to encourage him by his praises to bear firmly what had happened, to entertain good hopes, and not to think it a matter grievous to be borne. For sad, sad indeed is separation; and hear Paul himself, saying, \u201cWe being bereaved of 1429 you for a short time, in presence, not in heart.\u201d (1 Thess. ii. 17.) If he then felt so much at being separated from his disciples, what thinkest thou were the feelings of Timothy? If on parting from him whilst living he wept, so that Paul says, \u201cBeing mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy.\u201d (2 Tim. i. 4.), how much more at his death? These things then he wrote to console him. Indeed the whole Epistle is full of consolation, and is a sort of Testament. \u201cI have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.\u201d \u201cA good fight,\u201d he says, therefore do thou engage in it. But is that a good fight, where there are imprisonment, chains, and death? Yea, he says for it is fought in the cause of Christ, and great crowns are won in it. \u201cThe good fight\u201d! There is no worthier than this contest. This crown is without end. This is not of olive leaves. It has not a human umpire. It has not men for spectators. The theater is crowded with Angels. There men labor many days, and suffer hardships, and for one hour they receive the crown, and immediately all the pleasure passes away. But here far otherwise, it continues for ever in brightness, glory, and honor. Henceforth we ought to rejoice. For I am entering on my rest, I am leaving the race. Thou hast heard that \u201cit is better to depart and to be with Christ.\u201d\nI have finished \u201cthe course.\u201d For it behooves us both to contend and to run; to contend, by enduring afflictions firmly, and to run, not vainly, but to some good end. It is truly a good fight, not only delighting, but benefiting the spectator: and the race does not end in nothing. It is not a mere display of strength and of rivalry. It draws all up to heaven. This race is brighter than the sun\u2019s, yea, this which Paul ran upon earth, than that which he runs in heaven. And how had he \u201cfinished his course\u201d? He traversed the whole world, beginning from Galilee and Arabia, and advancing to the extremities of the each, so that, as he says, \u201cFrom Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ.\u201d (Rom. xv. 19.) He passed over the earth like a bird, or rather more swiftly than a bird: for a bird only flies over it, but he, having the wing of the Spirit, made his way through numberless impediments, dangers, deaths, and calamities, so that he was even fleeter than a bird. Had he been a mere bird, he might have alighted and been taken, but being upborne by the Spirit he soared above all snares, as a bird with a wing of fire.\n\u201cI have kept the faith,\u201d he says. There were many things that would have robbed him of it, not only human friendships, but menaces, and death, and countless other perils: but he stood firm against all. How? by being sober and watchful. This might have sufficed for the conp. 512 solation of his disciples, but he further adds the rewards. And what are these?\n2 Tim. 4.8. \u201cHenceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.\u201d\nHere again he calls virtue in general righteousness. Thou shouldest not grieve that I shall depart, to be invested with that crown which will by Christ be placed upon my head. But if I continued here, truly thy mightest rather grieve, and fear lest I should fail and perish.\n2 Tim. 4.8. \u201cWhich the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but to all that love His appearing.\u201d\nHere also he raises his mind. If \u201cto all,\u201d much more to Timothy. But he did not say, \u201cand to thee,\u201d but \u201cto all\u201d; meaning, if to all, much more to him.\nMoral. But how, it may be asked, is one to \u201clove the appearing\u201d (\u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u1f10\u03c0\u03b9\u03c6\u03b1\u03bd\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1\u03bd) of Christ? By rejoicing at His coming; and he who rejoices at His coming, will perform works worthy of His joy; he will throw away his substance if need be, and even his life, so that he may obtain future blessings, that he may be thought worthy to behold that second coming in a fitting state, in confidence, in brightness and glory. This is to \u201clove His appearing.\u201d He who loves His appearing will do everything to ensure, before His general coming, a particular coming to himself. And how, you will say, is this possible? Hear from Christ, who says, \u201cIf a man love Me, he will keep My words, and My Father and I will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.\u201d (John xiv. 23.) And think how great a privilege it is that He who will appear to all generally, should promise to come to us in particular: for He says, \u201cWe will come and make Our abode with him.\u201d If any man \u201clove His appearing,\u201d he will do everything to invite Him to himself, and to hold Him, that the light may shine upon him. Let there be nothing unworthy of His coming, and He will soon take up His abode with us.\nAnd it is called His \u201cEpiphany,\u201d 1430 because He will appear above, 1431 and shine forth from on high. Let us therefore \u201cseek those things that are above,\u201d and we shall soon draw down those beams upon us. None of those who grovel below, and bury themselves in this lower earth, will be able to view the light of that Sun. None of those who defile themselves with worldly things will be able to behold that Sun of righteousness. He shines on none of those who are so occupied. Recover thyself a little, recover thyself from that depth, from the waves of a worldly life, if thou wouldest see the Sun, and enjoy His appearing. Then thou wilt see Him with great confidence. Be even now a philosopher. Let not a spirit of perverseness possess thee, lest He smite thee severely, and bring thee low. Let not thy heart be hardened; nor darkened, lest thou be shipwrecked there. Let there be no self-deceit. For the rocks beneath the sea cause the most fatal shipwrecks. Nourish no wild beasts, I mean evil passions, worse than wild beasts. Confide not in things ever flowing, that thou mayest be able to stand firmly. None can stand upon water, but upon a rock all find a secure footing. Worldly things are as water, as a torrent, that passes away. \u201cThe waters,\u201d he saith, \u201care come in unto my soul.\u201d (Ps. lxix. 1.) Spiritual things are as a rock. For he saith, \u201cThou hast set my feet upon a rock.\u201d (Ps. xl. 2.) Worldly things are as mire and clay; let us extricate ourselves from them. For so we shall be able to attain to the appearing of Christ. Whatever may befall us, let us endure. It is a sufficient consolation in all circumstances that we suffer for Christ. This divine incantation let us repeat, and it will charm away the pain of every wound.\nAnd how can we suffer for Christ, you ask? If one accuse thee falsely in any case, not on account of Christ, yet if thou bearest it patiently, if thou givest thanks, if thou prayest for him, all this thou doest for Christ. But if thou curse him, if thou utter discontent, if thou attempt to revenge it, though thou shouldest not be able, it is not for Christ\u2019s sake; thou sufferest loss, and art deprived of thy reward on account of thy intention. For it rests with us either to profit, or to be injured, by afflictions. It depends not upon the nature of the affliction, but upon the disposition of our own minds. As, for instance, great were the sufferings of Job, yet he suffered with thankfulness; and he was justified, not because he suffered, but because in suffering he endured it thankfully. Another under the same sufferings, yet not the same, for none ever suffered like Job\u2014but under lighter sufferings, exclaims, is impatient, curses the whole world, and complains against God. He is condemned and sentenced, not because he suffered, but because he blasphemed; and he blasphemed, not from any necessity arising from his afflictions, since if necessity arising from events were the cause, Job too must have blasphemed; but since he, who suffered more severely, did no such thing, it did not come to pass from this cause, but from the man\u2019s weakness of purpose. We want therefore strength of soul, and nothing will then appear grievous, but if our soul is weak, we find a grievance in everything.\nAccording to our dispositions, all things become tolerable or intolerable. Let us strengthen our resolution, and we shall bear all things easily. The tree whose roots are fixed deep in the earth is not shaken by the utmost violence of the storm, but if it be set lightly in the surface of p. 513 the ground, a slight gust of wind will tear it up from the roots. So it is with us; if our flesh be nailed down by the fear of God, nothing will be able to shake us; but if we merely intend well, a little shock will subvert and destroy us. Wherefore, I exhort, let us bear all with much cheerfulness, imitating the Prophet, who says, \u201cMy soul cleaveth to Thee\u201d; observe, he says not, draweth nigh, but \u201ccleaveth to Thee\u201d; and again, \u201cMy soul thirsteth for Thee.\u201d (Ps. lxii. 3.) He said not merely \u201clongeth,\u201d that he might by such words express the vehemence of his desire; and again, \u201cFix 1432 my flesh in Thy fear.\u201d (Ps. cxix. 120, Sept.) For he wishes us so to cleave and be united to Him, that we may never be separated from Him. If thus we hold by God, if thus we rivet our thoughts upon Him, if we thirst with the love of Him, all that we desire will be ours, and we shall obtain the good things to come, in Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be glory, power, and honor, now and for ever. Amen.\n\u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c0\u1ff3 \u03c4\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u03c5\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u1f41\u03c1\u1ff6\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u03c4\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u03c5\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1. An Old Lat. has \u201cby a new and strange manner of death.\u201d The present Greek is difficult and suspected.\n509:1424\nOr, \u201cevery Scripture inspired,\u201d &c.\n510:1425 510:1426\nThe word translated \u201creproof.\u201d\n510:1427 511:1428\ni.e. as the drink-offering. [So R.V. in margin.\u2014P.S.]\n511:1429 512:1430 512:1431 513:1432\nLit. \u201cnail\u201d; compare Gal. v. 24.","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. XIII: The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.: 2 Timothy 3:16,17","type":"page"}