The House of God. Rev. John Peter Bodner
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as a Minister of the Gospel, I was greatly challenged by hearing Dr. A.N. Martin of New Jersey expounding and applying 1 Timothy 4:11–16 during a one day conference for pastors at Canton, Michigan, in the United States. It seemed to me that the Spirit of grace had led the preacher into applications of particularly pertinent personal and practical help for my soul and service.
As I later reviewed my notes and the passage so expounded, I noted this directive from the Apostle:
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (1 Timothy 4:15).
It was thus laid upon my heart that I should give myself to extended, prayerful reflection and rumination upon this Epistle in light of the whole counsel of God in Holy Scripture, as the Holy Ghost might grant me light and leading.
The exercises of devotional meditation which followed this course began on 1 January 2006 and closed on 25 May 2008. They are here presented in a form slightly edited to allow for weekly reading by my brethren in the ministry and by students seeking to prepare for the good work of a bishop, elder, pastor, and teacher in the house of God.
Each section supplies an original hymn. A course of select Bible readings covers the words and works of leading men of God in the Old Testament, many of the richest portions of the New Testament, and the whole Psalter. Finally, there is a meditation on a portion of 1 Timothy. To these 145 devotions have been added 12 short devotional pieces written for magazines and local church bulletins under the heading “From My Bible.” The book can thus serve as a weekly companion to a seminarian for three years of training. In addition, I would warmly commend to any student of the ministry unfamiliar with the Heidelberg Catechism to read and reflect upon its 52 Lord’s Days each year of his studies.
This is neither an exegetical commentary nor a series of expository sermons. While I have on occasion consulted lexicon and concordance to ascertain more clearly the intent of the sacred text, I have not attempted an academic work here. I have sought throughout to mull over and assimilate to my heart the words of life in their immediate import to my own soul. I invite the reader to share my experience by retaining the first person. I hope I have not strayed far from the simple truths that offer themselves at once to the devout mind, nor in any way wrested the Scriptures.
In humble hope that reading these Meditations may accrue to others some of the profit I have experienced in writing them, I now offer them to those who labor “for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” May we all know the blessedness of that man who meditates in the Law of the Lord day and night (Josh 1:8; Psalm 1).
Affectionately yours in the Lord Jesus, our faithful Savior,
Rev. John Peter Bodner M.A., M.Div.
Pastor, Hope Assembly, Mississauga, Canada
First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
Salutation—1:1–2
1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Charge to Keep Sound Doctrine: Law and Gospel—1:3–20
3As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Exhortation to Prayer—2:1–7
2:1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
Men and Women at Public Worship—2:8–15
8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
The Offices: Bishop and Deacons—3:1–13
3:1This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
The House of God; The Mystery of Godliness—3:14–16
14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15But if I tarry long,