This _is_ a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. Ver. 1. _If a man desire_] As no woman, so neither may every man desire the office of a minister, but such only as are gifted and fitted for such a service. _ He desireth a good work_] But a hard work. The mi... [ Continue Reading ]
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Ver. 2. _A bishop then must be blameless_] That is, every faithful pastor must be such as against whom no just exception can be laid, no gross fault objected. Involuntar... [ Continue Reading ]
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; Ver. 3. _Not given to wine_] No ale stake, tavern haunter, that sits close at it, till the wine inflame him. _ No striker_] Either with tongue or hand. Such as were Timotheus Herulus, A. D. 467; Po... [ Continue Reading ]
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; Ver. 4. _One that ruleth well_] προισταμενον. A good priest in his own family, which he daily perfumes with evangelical sacrifices, till his house, as the house of David, be as God, as the angel of the Lord befo... [ Continue Reading ]
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Ver. 5. _For if a man know not how_] A very cogent argument from the less to the greater; used also by our Saviour, Luke 16:11,12. Eli was justly taxed and Augustus heavily upbraided with their domestic... [ Continue Reading ]
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Ver. 6. _Not a novice_] νεοφυτος. Rude and proud, a young scholar or newly converted, but well experimented, and sufficiently commended by men of worth. He that offered to run a race was led about by the crier... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Ver. 7. _A good report of them, &c._] For a workman that needeth not to be ashamed; such a one as may muzzle the black mouth of any Campian, that shall say, as he doth of our Church... [ Continue Reading ]
Likewise _must_ the deacons _be_ grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Ver. 8. _Not doubletongued_] διλογους. That can turn their tales, and tune their fiddles to the base of the times, saying as the company says, being as the planet Mercury, good in conjunct... [ Continue Reading ]
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Ver. 9. _Holding the mystery_] _See Trapp on "_ 1Ti 1:19 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being _found_ blameless. Ver. 10. _Being found blameless_] The world will look round about them, and expect (though unjustly) an angelical perfection. _ Let them use the office of a deacon_] _Diaconus_ is said to come of... [ Continue Reading ]
Even so _must their_ wives _be_ grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Ver. 11. _Must their wives be grave_] As themselves must, 1 Timothy 3:6. Gravity is such an elixir, as by contaction (if there be any disposition of goodness in the same metal) it will render it of the property. S... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Ver. 12. _Husbands of one wife, &c._] _See Trapp on "_ 1Ti 3:2 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ 1Ti 3:4 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
For 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. Ver. 13. _A good degree_] Or a fair step to a higher order, _i.e._ to a bishopric or presbytership. _ And great boldness in the faith_] The peace of a... [ Continue Reading ]
These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: Ver. 14. _Hoping to come unto thee_] And to be an eyewitness of thy diligence, whereof I doubt not, joying in the mean while, "and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ," Colossians 2:5 .... [ Continue Reading ]
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Ver. 15. _In the house of God_] See here the dignity of the Church, and the duty of ministers, which is to be faithful as st... [ Continue Reading ]
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Ver. 16. _And without controversy_] Learned Cameron beginneth this verse at those words be... [ Continue Reading ]