Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, _which is_ our hope; Ver. 1. _By the commandment of God_] For how should he have preached except he had been sent? This he mentioneth, Romans 10:15, as a thing impossible. _ Of God our Saviour_] So the F... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto Timothy, _my_ own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, _and_ peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Ver. 2. _Mine own son_] This the apostle speaketh απο πολλης φιλοστοργιας, "out of deep affection," as Chrysostom observeth. _ Grace, mercy, and peace_] Not only grace and peace, as t... [ Continue Reading ]
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Ver. 3. _That they teach no other doctrine_] Either for matter or manner, for substance or circumstance. What hideous heresies are today broached and preached... [ Continue Reading ]
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: _so do_. Ver. 4. _Endless genealogies_] It is but laborious loss of time to search into those things, whereof we can neither have proof nor profit; the gains will not pay for... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and _of_ a good conscience, and _of_ faith unfeigned: Ver. 5. _Now the end of the commandment_] Or, of the charge, to wit, of that charge, to teach no other doctrine, &c., 1 Timothy 1:3,4. As if the apostle had said, This is that which... [ Continue Reading ]
From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Ver. 6. _Some having swerved_] αστοχησαντες. "Having missed the mark," as unskilful shooters, being "heavenly wide," as Sir Philip Sidney translateth that proverb, _Toto errant caelo._ Having turned aside unto vain jangling] Igno... [ Continue Reading ]
Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. Ver. 7. _Understanding neither what_] _Non curo illos, _ saith Augustine, _qui vel non intelligendo reprehendunt, vel reprehendendo non intelligunt._ I pass not for the censures of such as dare to repr... [ Continue Reading ]
But we know that the law _is_ good, if a man use it lawfully; Ver. 8. _If a man use it lawfully_] For discovery of sin, for manuduction to Christ, and for a rule of life. _Lex, lux, Proverbs 6:23_. Xenophon telleth us, that this was the drift of the Persian laws, to keep men from acting, yea, from... [ Continue Reading ]
Knowing 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, Ver. 9. _Is not made for a righteous_] For he is freed by Christ from the coac... [ Continue Reading ]
For 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; Ver. 10. _For menstealers_] That steal away other men's children; so those that steal other men's books and writings,... [ Continue Reading ]
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. Ver. 11. _Of the blessed God_] Blessed in himself, and to be everlastingly blessed of all creatures. Hence he is called, "The blessed," Mark 14:61. And frequently in the Commentaries of the Hebrew Doctors he is se... [ Continue Reading ]
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Ver. 12. _Who hath enabled me_] Christ sends none but whom he gifts. _Asinos elegit Christus et idiotas, sed oculavit in prudentes, simulque dona dedit et ministeria._... [ Continue Reading ]
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did _it_ ignorantly in unbelief. Ver. 13. _Who was before a blasphemer_] Chrysostom observes it of Paul, as his greatest honour, that although he had obtained pardon of God for his sins, yet he is not asha... [ Continue Reading ]
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Ver. 14. _Was exceeding abundant_] Hath abounded to flowing over, υπερεπλεονασε, as the sea doth above mole hills. "I will scatter your sins as a mist," saith God, "and they shall be cast into the midst o... [ Continue Reading ]
This _is_ a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Ver. 15. _This is a faithful saying_] Worthy to be credited and embraced, as it was by Bilney the martyr, who by this promise was much comforted in a great conflict... [ Continue Reading ]
Howbeit 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. Ver. 16. _Might show forth_] By full demonstration and sufficient evidence, ενδειξηται, so that all might see a... [ Continue Reading ]
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, _be_ honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Ver. 17. _Invisible_] God is too subtle for sinew or sight to bear upon. We can but see his back parts and live; we need see no more, that we may live. _ Now unto the King immortal_] P... [ Continue Reading ]
This 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; Ver. 18. _Son Timothy_] This is Timothy's task, whom the apostle fitly calleth son, according to the custom both of those and these times. _Patres eos d... [ Continue Reading ]
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Ver. 19. _Holding faith and a good conscience_] A good conscience, saith one, is as it were a chest wherein the doctrine of faith is to be kept safe, which will quickly be lost if this chest be on... [ Continue Reading ]
Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Ver. 20. _That ye may learn_] _Ut castigati discant; _ that being buffeted and bodily tormented by Satan, as Acts 13:2; (for as yet there were no Christian magistrates), they may learn, παιδε... [ Continue Reading ]