Like the first,presupposes Timothy's previous Christian character, and draws some of its persuasive force from his home and the dear ones there--an argument which, no doubt, Paul knew would tell on such a clinging, affectionate nature. We note the double reason for steadfastness--the teachers, and the early beginning of the knowledge of the truth. It is thought a sign of independence and advancement by many young people nowadays to fling away their mother's faith, just because it was hers, and taught them by her when they were infants. The fact that it was is no bar against investigation, nor against the adoption of other conclusions, if needful; but in the present temper of men, it is well to remember that it creates no presumption against a creed that some white-haired Lois, or some tender mother Eunice has striven to engrave it on the young heart.
But the great reason adduced for steadfast grip of the truth is that the' sacred writings' (by which are to be understood the Old Testament) have power, as Timothy had experience, to give a wisdom which led to salvation, and to' furnish' a Christian, especially the Christian teacher, for every good work.' In either of the two usually adopted renderings of 2 Tim. 3:16, the divine origin of Scripture and its value for the manifold processes for perfecting character are broadly asserted. That origin and these uses are unaffected by variety of view as to the methods of inspiration or by critical researches. It will always be true that the Bible is the chief instrument em- ployed by the Spirit of power and of love and of self- control to mould our characters into beauty of holiness. He who has that Spirit in his heart and the Scriptures in his hands has all he needs.
The one exhortation for such is to' abide in' what he has received. That counsel as given to Timothy was probably directed chiefly against temptations very unlike those which attack us. But the spirit of it applies to us. It enjoins no irrational conservatism, scowling at all new thoughts, but it bids us aim at keeping up our personal hold of the central truths of Christ's incarnation, sacrifice, and gift of the Divine Spirit, which hold is slackened by worldliness and carelessness twenty times for once that it is so from intellectual dissatisfaction with the principles of Christianity.
Timothy was relegated, not only to his early memories, but to his own experience. He had not only learned these things from revered lips, but had been assured of' them by the response they had found and the effects they had produced in himself. That is the deepest ground of our holding fast by the gospel, and it is one we may all have. He that believeth hath the witness in himself,' and may wait with equanimity while the dust of controversy clears off, for he knows in whom he has believed,' and what that Saviour has done for and in him.
