The Seal of the Foundation of God
John Jackson, M. A., H. D. M. Spence, M. A. 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And… The inscription is twofold; the first part relating to God, the second to ourselves; the first confirming our faith, the second directing our practice; the first permitting us to trust our all on our Redeemer, the second inciting us to "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." I. IN THE VISIBLE CHURCH THE BAD ARE MINGLED WITH THE GOOD. Many bear the name of Christian who have not even the outward appearance of the reality; others profess much with their lips, but are strangers to the power of religion in the heart: others, again, are despised by man, who yet bear about with them that pearl of great price — a true and lively faith, without which the rich are poor, and with which the poor are richer than all the world could make them. But all this is surrounded with such a mist Of circumstances and forms and conventional habits, that the difference is well nigh imperceptible to human eyes. Certain broad lines of distinction between those who may be the Lord's, and those who certainly are not, may easily be drawn; but much will still be left where we may hope or fear, but cannot know. But God knows. His eye pierces through the outward covering of professions, and looks directly on the heart. And there is much comfort in the belief that God thus "knoweth them that are His." 1. It is a guarantee of the safety of those who are His, whatever may be their station, or how powerful soever their enemies. 2. Joined to this belief also is the comfortable conviction that, where God" has begun a good work, He will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). 3. And this truth furnishes a key to the mystery, that in the visible Church the bad are ever mingled with the good. To human eye they are, but not to God's. II. But this is but part of the seal or inscription on the foundation of God's temple, and the part with which, however confirmatory of our faith and consolatory to our weakness, we have the less immediate concern. This relates to God's knowledge, THE OTHER TO OUR DUTIES. "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 1. God's foreknowledge does not at all diminish man's responsibility, nor detract from the necessity of our own endeavours. 2. Man's holiness is the end of God's predestination. He has chosen those who are His, not simply to be happy, but to be holy. Would we read God's eternal counsels concerning ourselves? We may do so with reverence and trembling hope; but only in our growing freedom from sin, and the increasing holiness of our lives. (John Jackson, M. A.)Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. — "Iniquity" here includes the teaching of those false men above alluded to, as their teaching led away from the truth, and resulted in a lax and evil way of life. (H. D. M. Spence, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. WEB: However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness."