0899. 881. “Thyself”

881. “Thyself”

Paul’s weighty injunctions to Timothy are pertinent and powerful in 1 Timothy.

1. Behaviour. “How thou oughtest behave thyself” (Mat_3:15). If we were as careful with our character and our conduct as we are with our clothes and homes, we would be saints indeed.

2. Exercise. “Exercise thyself unto godliness” (Mat_4:7). This is the best kind of exercise. It neither exhausts nor enervates, but strengthens and stimulates.

3. Diligence. “Be diligent in these things, give thyself wholly to them” (Mat_4:15, R.V.). To cultivate the spiritual life with diligence ana whole-heartedness is to be fruitful in grace.

4. Personality. “Take heed unto thyself” (Mat_4:16). To look after others and not ourselves is the height of folly, but to develop our own resources is essential and wise and helpful.

5. Salvation. “Both save thyself and them that hear thee” (Mat_4:16). We save ourselves from failure and fruitlessness when we are diligent in duty.

6. Purity. “Keep thyself pure” (Mat_5:22). The inner life kept pure, the outward life will be powerful.

7. Separation. “From such withdraw thyself” (Mat_6:5). When brethren are in error or evil we are responsible to withdraw ourselves from them.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH