_Paul, an apostle by the will of God_ See 1 Corinthians 1:1; _according to the promise of life_ Appointed to exhibit, by preaching the gospel, and to bring men to, eternal life, promised by God to all true believers; _in_ And through; _Christ Jesus_ Who hath revealed and procured it. _I thank God, w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore_ Because I remember this; _I put thee in remembrance_ Because of my love to thee; _that thou stir up the gift of God_ That is, every gift which the grace of God has given thee. The word αναζωπυρειν is a metaphorical expression, borrowed from stirring up fire when it is almost extinct, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be not thou, therefore_ Discouraged by any dangers or trials; or _ashamed of the testimony of our Lord_ The gospel which testifies of Christ, or of testifying the truth and importance of it to all men; _nor of me his prisoner_ The cause of the servants of God, doing his work, cannot be separated fr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whereunto_ For proclaiming which good news; _I am appointed a preacher_ Κηρυξ, _a herald;_ and _an apostle_ Invested with an extraordinary commission, and furnished with spiritual gifts to make me a successful _teacher of the Gentiles_ That is, of them chiefly. _For which_ Namely, my preaching to t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hold fast the form_ The _draught, pattern_, or _model;_ (so υποτυπωσις signifies;) _of sound words_ Of pure and salutary doctrine; _which thou hast heard of me_ Hast received repeatedly from my own lips: keep this, not merely in theory, and in thy memory, but in thy heart; _in faith and love_ In th... [ Continue Reading ]
_This thou knowest_ Of this thou hast received information; _that all they which are in Asia_ He appears to mean those of Asia who were known to him by a profession of Christianity, and who had attended him at Rome for a while; _are turned away from me_ And have proved treacherous friends, after all... [ Continue Reading ]