1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. The gospel does not leave us with any loose ideas of responsibility. There is often a universal sentiment of goodness which finds no particular application. I. MAN HAS "HIS OWN." He is to care for his own soul. He is accountable for his own influence. He is the father of his own family, and, up to a certain age, his will is their law. He is to provide for his own; his thought and skill and care are all to be laid upon the altar or' the household. It is sad to see men sometimes flattered by the world, and welcomed to every hearth, who yet leave "their own" slighted and neglected at home. The gospel says that the husband is the head of the wife; and the gospel evidently understands the design of God, that man should be the hard worker and- bread-winner of life. II. HE HAS A FAITH TO KEEP. What is meant here by denying the faith, and being worse than an infidel? Surely this, that the faith is meant to make us Christ-like; one with him who pleased not himself, who ministered to others, and who revealed to us that great law of love by which every Christian life must be inspired. The word. "infidel" has often been used. to represent mere skeptical unbelief. It really means "wanting in faith;" and the man who, whatever he professes, does not live out the spirit of the gospel (which sanctifies, above all things earthly, the marriage life, and makes it the image of the union betwixt Christ and his Church), that man is worse than an infidel, if by infidel we mean a man who intellectually has not accepted the Christian faith. - W.M.S. Parallel Verses KJV: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. |
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