_RULES TO BE OBSERVED IN REPROVING. OF WIDOWS. OF ELDERS. A PRECEPT FOR TIMOTHY'S HEALTH. SOME MEN'S SINS GO BEFORE UNTO JUDGMENT; AND SOME MEN'S FOLLOW AFTER._ _Anno Domini 58._ BECAUSE it is the duty of ministers to reprove such of their people as err, and because the success of reproof, in a gr... [ Continue Reading ]
HONOUR WIDOWS— To _honour_ here, signifies not only to _respect_ but _maintain,_ as is evident from the context from 1 Timothy 5:17 and other passages of Scripture: "Respect and maintain the _widows,_ who are (what that word imports) really χηρας, that is, _bereaved_ and desolate.... [ Continue Reading ]
NEPHEWS,— Or, _grand-children._... [ Continue Reading ]
NIGHT AND DAY.— That is, _continually;_ morning and evening, and on every proper occasion, whether by night or by day.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SHE THAT LIVETH IN PLEASURE— The Jews had a common saying among them, "that wicked men, while they live, are to be reckoned among the dead." The Pythagoreans built empty tombs for those who had revolted from philosophy; and it was reckoned a beautiful thought in Pythagoras, and other ancient hea... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THEY MAY BE BLAMELESS.— Some would refer this to the _widows;_ but the gender of the word ανεπιληπτοι, rather favours our referring it either to the deacons, or to Timothy's hearers in general; since it is certain that widows were not the only persons who, in so luxurious a city as Ephesus, wer... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HIS OWN, &C.— That is, "for his own relations, and his own domestics;—those of his own family." _Denying the faith,_ is here, according to St. Paul, leading a wicked life, or living and acting contrary to the moral law, which is adopted in the Christian law. Suppose the man of whom the apostle i... [ Continue Reading ]
BE TAKEN INTO THE NUMBER,— _Be put upon the list,_ is the precise signification of the word καταλεγεσθω. Surely none can imagine that the apostle meant to confine the charity of the church to widows of such an age, and who had all these characters. We must therefore conclude, that he speaks of those... [ Continue Reading ]
IF SHE HAVE WASHED THE SAINTS' FEET,— It was an usual piece of civility, as well as a great refreshment in the Eastern countries, to wash a person's feet, or to take care that it should be done for him. See Genesis 18:4; Genesis 19:2.Luke 7:38; Luke 7:44. John 5:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY HAVE BEGUN TO WAX WANTON AGAINST CHRIST,— The word Καταστρηνιασωσι, is a strong expression, which cannot be exactly rendered into English. When these widows grew negligent of their proper duty, sensual affections might prevail upon them; and their credit among _Christians_ being hurt by su... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING DAMNATION, &C.— _Condemnation,_ which, without repentance, must end in eternal damnation, because they violate, and thereby destroy that living faith, which always produces purity of heart.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WITHAL—TO BE IDLE, &C.— _And moreover, being idle, they get a habit of rambling from house to house; and are not only idle, but triflers,_ φλυαροι :—a word derived from the verb φλυειν, which signifies the noise made by water, when it is ready to boil over; and therefore well expresses the inwar... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE ELDERS, &C.— The apostle proceeds to give directions concerning _elders,_ and that under three heads: _First,_ with respect to the provision which the church was to make for them, especially for the diligent among them. _Secondly,_ with respect to Timothy's reproving them, which was not to b... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LABOURER IS WORTHY OF HIS REWARD.— This passage occurs no where in the New Testament, except here and Luke 10:7. St. Luke was the companion of St. Paul, and wrote his gospel, not only under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but, as it were, under the inspection of that apostle; insomuch that s... [ Continue Reading ]
THEM THAT SIN, REBUKE— This was also according to the custom of the synagogue.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE ELECT ANGELS,— That is, "Those _angels,_ who having kept their stations, when so many of their fellows were seduced by Satan, are now confirmed in a state of immutable felicity, and shall attend our common Lord to the awful judgment of the great day.... [ Continue Reading ]
LAY HANDS SUDDENLY ON NO MAN,— _"Suddenly and rashly,_ before his character and qualifications have been fully examined, and thoroughly approv... [ Continue Reading ]
DRINK NO LONGER WATER— One cannot forbear reflecting here, how very temperate Timothy must have been, to need an advice of this kind, which amounts to no more than mingling a little wine with his water: and what is said of his many infirmities, compared with the apostle's exhortation to him to be in... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME—ARE OPEN BEFORE-HAND, &C.— _Are notorious, going before to judgment; and some men follow after._ _INFERENCES.—_With what respect should the aged, whether men or women, and with what affability and purity should younger people, be cautioned against every sinful practice and avoidable infirmity!... [ Continue Reading ]