_OF THE DUTY OF DUTY OF SERVANTS. NOT TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH NEW-FANGLED TEACHERS. GODLINESS IS GREAT GAIN, AND LOVE OF MONEY THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. WHAT TIMOTHY IS TO FLEE, AND WHAT TO FOLLOW; AND WHEREOF TO ADMONISH THE RICH. TO KEEP THE PURITY OF TRUE DOCTRINE, AND TO AVOID PROFANE JANGLINGS._... [ Continue Reading ]
_1 TIMOTHY 6:1_.— Whether the law, "that the Jews should none of them remain slaves for life, withouttheirownconsent,"(Exod.xxi.2-6.) might, through the devices of Satan, give occasion to introduce something like it into the Christian church, or whatever gave rise to it, it appears, that the Judaize... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THEY ARE FAITHFUL AND BELOVED, &C.— Dr. Heylin reads it, _but serve them better, because they are Christians, and to be loved, as partakers of the same advantages._ See the Syriac version.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CONSENT NOT TO WHOLESOME WORDS,— Or do not adhere, or give heed to wholesome words, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT DOTING ABOUT QUESTIONS— _But raving on questions._ The original word seems to express the effect of a disease upon the mind. Dr. Heylin reads it, _Knows nothing, but has the disease of disputation, and controversy about words._... [ Continue Reading ]
SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS:— _That godliness is gain._ Peirce. _Who consider piety as a means to enrich themselves._ Heylin. Compare Philippians 3:1... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT, &C.— _Piety, indeed, with contentment, is great riches._ Heylin. This is a most pleasing sentiment for the religious poor.—_Contentment_ will attend _piety,_ as its inseparable companion; and, consequently, the pious man will be happy, whatever his circumstances may b... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE—PIERCED THEMSELVES THROUGH, &C.— "Have felt long and incurable pains, by the numerous wounds they have given to their own consciences, as it were, on every side." The original word περιεπειραν is very emphatical, and properly signifies, _"They have stabbed themselves,_ as it were, _from head to... [ Continue Reading ]
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH,— _Strive generously for the faith;_ lay hold upon Christ, lay hold upon God, _lay hold on eternal life,_ &c. St. Paul, Hebrews 13:23 says, that Timothy was _set at liberty;_ whence we may conclude, that he had been put in prison on account of the faith, and, on that oc... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO QUICKENETH ALL THINGS,— This seems a very suitable though oblique intimation, that should Timothy, after the example of his great Lord, sacrifice his life to the glory of God and the honour of his sacred profession, God, who raised up Christ from the dead, was equally able to raise _him;_ and th... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM NO MAN HATH SEEN, NOR CAN SEE:— This might be an allusion either to the _eastern courts,_ where the people were not admitted into the royal presence, or to behold the face of their king; or, to the _inaccessible light_ and _glory_ in which God dwelt _in the holy of holies;_—or perhaps to both.... [ Continue Reading ]
_1 TIMOTHY 6:17_.— As the apostle had given directions concerning some of the Judaizing Christians, who attempted to enrich themselves bypreaching the gospel in a dishonest manner, he here gives directions concerning such Christians as were already possessed of riches; namely, that they should not b... [ Continue Reading ]
RICH IN GOOD WORKS, &C.— If the phrases in this verse have a different signification, the following exposition of Archbishop Sharpe's may perhaps be as satisfactory as any other. "Let them endeavour, in the general, to _do good;_—not only now and then, in some scanty proportion, but _frequently, con... [ Continue Reading ]
LAYING UP IN STORE, &C.— Or, _Securing,_ &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH SOME PROFESSING, &C.— "Which some having professed to pursue, have fatally wandered from the Christian faith, some entirely forsaking it, and others corrupting it with such adulterations, that it is hardly to be known for that religion which came immediately out of the hands of the Lord Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]