1_I exhort therefore_. These exercises of godliness maintain and even strengthen us in the sincere worship and fear of God, and cherish the good conscience of which he had spoken. Not inappropriately does he make use of the word _therefore_, to denote an inference; for those exhortations depend on t... [ Continue Reading ]
2_For kings _He expressly mentions kings and other magistrates because, more than all others, they might be hated by Christians. All the magistrates who existed at that time were so many sworn enemies of Christ; and therefore this thought might occur to them, that they ought not to pray for those wh... [ Continue Reading ]
3_For this is good and acceptable before God_. After having taught that what he enjoined is useful, he now brings forward a stronger argument — that it pleases God; for when we know what is His will, this ought to have the force of all possible reasons. By _good _he means what is proper and lawful;... [ Continue Reading ]
4_Who wishes that all men may be saved_. Here follows a confirmation of the second argument; and what is more reasonable than that all our prayers should be in conformity with this decree of God? _And may come to the acknowledgment of the truth_. Lastly, he demonstrates that God has at heart the sa... [ Continue Reading ]
5_For there is one God _This argument might, at first sight, appear to be not very strong, that God wishes all men to be saved, because he is one; if a transition had not been made from God to men. Chrysostom — and, after him, others — view it in this sense, that there are not many gods, as idolater... [ Continue Reading ]
6_Who gave himself a ransom for all _(34) The mention of redemption in this passage is not superfluous; for there is a necessary connection between the two things, the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and his continual intercession. (Romans 8:34.) These are the two parts of his priesthood; for, whe... [ Continue Reading ]
7_For which I have been appointed_. That it may not be thought that he makes rash assertions — as many are wont to do — on a subject which he did not well understand, he affirms that God had appointed him for this purpose, that he might bring the Gentiles, who had formerly been alienated from the ki... [ Continue Reading ]
8_I wish therefore that men may pray _This inference depends on the preceding statement; for, as we saw in the Epistle to the Galatians, we must receive “the Spirit of adoption,” (37) in order that we may call on God in a proper manner. Thus, after having exhibited the grace of Christ to all, and af... [ Continue Reading ]
9_In like manner also women _As he enjoined men to lift up pure hands, so he now prescribes the manner in which women ought to prepare for praying aright. And there appears to be an implied contrast between those virtues which he recommends and the outward sanctification of the Jews; for he intimate... [ Continue Reading ]
10_Which becometh women_; for undoubtedly the dress of a virtuous and godly woman must differ from that of a strumpet. What he has laid down are marks of distinction; and if piety must be testified by works, this profession ought also to be visible in chaste and becoming dress.... [ Continue Reading ]
11_Let a woman learn in quietness_. After having spoken of dress, he now adds with what modesty women ought to conduct themselves in the holy assembly. And first he bids them learn quietly; for _quietness _means silence, that they may not take upon them to speak in public. This he immediately explai... [ Continue Reading ]
12_But I suffer not a woman to teach_. Not that he takes from them the charge of instructing their family, but only excludes them from the office of teaching, which God has committed to men only. On this subject we have explained our views in the exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians. ... [ Continue Reading ]
13_For Adam was first created _He assigns two reasons why women ought to be subject to men; because not only did God enact this law at the beginning, but he also inflicted it as a punishment on the woman. (Genesis 3:16.) He accordingly shews that, although mankind had stood in their first and origin... [ Continue Reading ]
14_And Adam was not deceived _He alludes to the punishment inflicted on the woman: “Because thou hast obeyed the voice of the serpent, thou shalt be subject to the authority of thy husband, and thy desire shall be to him.” (43) (Genesis 3:16.) Because she had given fatal advice, it was right that... [ Continue Reading ]
15_But she shall be saved _The weakness of the sex renders women more suspicious and timid, and the preceding statement might greatly terrify and alarm the strongest minds. For these reasons he modifies what he had said by adding a consolation; for the Spirit of God does not accuse or reproach us, i... [ Continue Reading ]