This is a true saying [π ι σ τ ο ς ο λ ο γ ο ς]. Better, faithful is the saying. See on ch. 1 Timothy 1:15. Desire [ο ρ ε γ ε τ α ι]. Better, seeketh. Only here, ch. 6 10, and Hebrews 11:16. Originally to stretchv forth, to reach after. Here it implies not only desiring but seeking after. Desire is... [ Continue Reading ]
Blameless [α ν ε π ι λ η μ π τ ο ν]. Or without reproach : one who cannot be laid hold of [λ α μ β α ν ε ι ν] : who gives no ground for accusation. o P. Only in 1st Timothy. The husband of one wife [μ ι α ς γ υ ν α ι κ ο ς α ν δ ρ α]. Comp. ver. 12; Titus 1:6. Is the injunction aimed (a) at immora... [ Continue Reading ]
Given to wine [π α ρ ο ι ν ο ν]. Only here and Titus 1:7. The verb paroinein to behave ill at wine, to treat with drunken violence, is found in Xenophon, Aeschines, Aristophanes, and Aristotle. Once in LXX, Isaiah 41:12. Rev. renders brawler, which is not definite enough. Better, quarrelsome over wi... [ Continue Reading ]
That ruleth [π ρ ο ι σ τ α μ ε ν ο ν]. Mostly in the Pastorals, but also in Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12. The participle means placed in front. Here in a general sense, but in 1 Thessalonians 1:5 of church authorities, but only functionally, not as a title of specially appointed officers. It is... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall he take care of [ε π ι μ ε λ η σ ε τ α ι]. Only here and Luke 10:34.... [ Continue Reading ]
Novice [ν ε ο φ υ τ ο ν]. N. T. o. From neov new and futon a plant. Comp. 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 3:7; Matthew 14:13. Hence, a new convert, a neophyte. Comp. in LXX Job 14:9; Psalms 127:3; Psalms 143:12; Isaiah 5:7. Chrysostom explains it as newly catechised [ν ε ο κ α τ η χ η τ ο ς]; but a... [ Continue Reading ]
A good report [μ α ρ τ υ ρ ι α ν κ α λ η ν]. Comp. Acts 6:3. Not only does kalov occur in the Pastorals nearly twice as many times as in Paul, but the usage is different. Out of 16 instances in Paul, there is but one in which kalov is not used substantively (Romans 7:16), while in the Pastorals it i... [ Continue Reading ]
Deacons. The office of Deacon appears in the Pastorals, but not in Paul's letters, with the single exception of Philippians 1:1, where the Deacons do not represent an ecclesiastical office, though they remark an advance toward it. Clement of Rome (ad Corinth. xlii, xliv) asserts their apostolic appo... [ Continue Reading ]
The mystery of the faith [τ ο μ υ σ τ η ρ ι ο ν τ η ς π ι σ τ ε ω ς]. The phrase N. T. '. In the Gospels only, mystery or mysteries of the kingdom of God or of heaven. In Paul, mystery or mysteries of God, of his will, of Christ, of the gospel, of iniquity, the mystery kept secret or hidden away. Se... [ Continue Reading ]
These also [κ α ι ο υ τ ο ι δ ε]. As well as the Bishops. No mention is made of a proving of the Bishops, but this may be fairly assumed. Comp. not a novice, ver. 6. Be proved [δ ο κ ι μ α ζ ε σ θ ω σ α ν]. Common in Paul; only here in Pastorals. See on 1 Peter 1:7. Not implying a formal examinatio... [ Continue Reading ]
Their wives [γ υ ν α ι κ α ς]. Probably correct, although some find a reference to an official class of women - deaconesses (so Ellicott, Holtzmann, Alford). But the injunction is thrown incidentally into the admonition concerning Deacons, which is resumed at ver. 12; and if an official class were i... [ Continue Reading ]
Purchase [π ε ρ ι π ο ι ο υ ν τ α ι]. Only here, Luke 17:33, and Acts 20:28 On which see note. Purchase is unfortunate from the point of modern usage; but it is employed in its original sense of to win, acquire, without any idea of a bargain. So Bacon, Ezra 4:14 : "There is no man doth a wrong for t... [ Continue Reading ]
Shortly [ε ν τ α χ ε ι]. The adverbial phrase once in Paul, Romans 16:20 : only here in Pastorals. Several times in Luke and Acts, and twice in Revelation. 105... [ Continue Reading ]
I tarry long [β ρ α δ υ ν ω]. Only here and 2 Peter 3:9. Thou oughtest to behave thyself [δ ε ι α ν α σ τ ρ ε φ ε σ θ α ι]. The verb ajnastrefesqai only here in Pastorals. In Paul, 2 Corinthians 1:12; Ephesians 2:3. The reference is not to Timothy's conduct as the A. V. impliest but rather to the i... [ Continue Reading ]
Without controversy [ο μ ο λ ο γ ο υ μ ε ν ω ς]. Lit. confessedly. N. T. o. The mystery of godliness [τ ο τ η ς ε υ σ ε β ε ι α ς μ υ σ τ η ρ ι ο ν]. (a) The connection of thought is with the truth (ver. 15), and the words mystery of godliness are a paraphrase of that word. The church is the pillar... [ Continue Reading ]