In his farewell address to the elders of Ephesus, Paul forewarns them that after his departure grievous wolves shall enter in among them, not sparing the flock, and that also of their own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:29-30. Whatever view... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAKING LIES IN HYPOCRISY; or, in the hypocrisy of those who speak lies, inculcating on the people as true what they know to be false; such as the power of the priests to forgive sins, the pretended working of miracles by the relics of saints, the liquifying of the blood of St. Januarius, and the w... [ Continue Reading ]
FORBIDDING TO MARRY; as popery forbids the clergy, and induces monks and nuns to take vows of celibacy, declaring, as did the council of Trent, "Whosoever shall say that the married state is to be preferred to a state of virginity or celibacy, let him be accursed." COMMANDING TO ABSTAIN FROM MEATS;... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY CREATURE; which God hath made for food is good for food, and not to be abstained from, but to be eaten with gratitude to God the giver.... [ Continue Reading ]
SANCTIFIED; made holy to him who partakes of it, so that the use of it cannot defile him. BY THE WORD OF GOD; ordaining it for man's use. PRAYER; which procures from God's blessing upon it.... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS; the truths of which he had spoken. To point out the errors of popery and the predictions of the Bible concerning it, and to warn the people against its seductive, demoralizing, and ruinous influence, is the duty of all good ministers of the gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
PROFANE AND OLD WIVES' FABLES; see note to chap 1 Timothy 1:4. These fables are in their spirit and influence profane, and in their character absurd and anile.... [ Continue Reading ]
BODILY EXERCISE; the discipline of the body by fastings and other austerities, considered as a religious exercise. Godliness is profitable for both worlds; and the man who makes it his great object to do his whole duty, takes the course which is best suited to promote his own highest good.... [ Continue Reading ]
SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN; as preserving all men, and having opened for them a way of salvation, and commanded that it be made known to them, and that they should be entreated to embrace it. 2 Corinthians 5:20. ESPECIALLY OF THOSE THAT BELIEVE; for to them alone does the perfect and everlasting salvation... [ Continue Reading ]
COMMAND AND TEACH; teach all men these truths, and command them, from God, to believe and obey them. As the declarations of God are all true, and his commands good, those who have confidence in him will labor hard, and if need be suffer much to induce others to believe and obey him; knowing that thi... [ Continue Reading ]
THY YOUTH; compare the admonition in the second epistle, "Flee also youthful lusts," chap 2 Timothy 2:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
READING; of the holy Scriptures. The immediate connection of this word with "exhortation" and "doctrine" seems to show that the public reading of the Scriptures in religious assemblages, after the manner of the Jewish synagogues, is meant. This was of course to be accompanied with the exposition of... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE; the spiritual gift imparted to Timothy by the Holy Ghost. BY PROPHECY; in accordance with preceding prophecies, which pointed him out as a man to be inducted into the sacred office. Compare chap 1 Timothy 1:18. WITH THE LAYING ON OF THE HANDS; the special gift of the Spir... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THYSELF; to his own character and conduct. DOCTRINE; the truths which he taught. IN THEM; in the belief, teaching, and practice of those truths. THEM THAT HEAR; thy hearers, upon the condition of their obeying the truths taught them. The ability of ministers to do good may, by their own effo... [ Continue Reading ]