Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Timothy 5:15

ἐξετράπησάν τινες is the order in AFG g; txt אCD2KLP d f &c.

15. ἤδη γάρ τινες ἐξετράπησαν ὀπίσω τοῦ σατανᾶ, for already some are turned aside after Satan. To support his advice (βούλομαι κ.τ.λ.) St Paul adduces the weighty argument of past experience (γάρ). Some ecclesiastical widows have already proved unfaithful to their pledges to the heavenly Bridegroom and have followed the seducer, Satan. It has been argued that this indicates that the ordo viduarum had been in existence for a considerable time, and that thus the date of the Epistle must be postponed to a period subsequent to St Paul’s labours; but (a) it must be remembered that the experience to which appeal is made is not necessarily confined to the Church at Ephesus, but extends over all the Christian communities known to St Paul, and (b) ἥδη, ‘already,’ seems to indicate that the order had not been long established, for disorders had arisen before they might naturally have been expected.

ἐξετράπησαν, i.e. swerved from the path of virtue. See note on 1 Timothy 1:5.

ὀπίσω τοῦ σατανᾶ. Cp. Acts 20:30 (in the speech of St Paul to the Ephesian elders) ἀποσπᾷν τοὺς μαθητὰς ὀπίσω ἑαυτῶν.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Timothy 5:15

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