CONCERNING SERVANTS, THE RICH, AND CORRUPT TEACHERS 1, 2. The eighth charge to Timothy, as to bondservants or slaves. We have here an indication of the way in which Christianity abolished slavery—not by denouncing it, but by implanting the idea of Christian brotherhood, which was incompatible with... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THEY ARE FAITHFUL AND BELOVED, PARTAKERS OF THE BENEFIT] RV 'because they that partake of the benefit of their service are believing and beloved.'... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOLESOME WORDS] RV 'sound words.' _Even_ THE WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST] His teaching in the Gospels.... [ Continue Reading ]
RESUMPTION OF THE CHARGE AGAINST HETERODOX TEACHERS. They had all the faults already mentioned, and in addition they made use of religion as a means of getting money, or, as they expressed it, of 'gain.' Reproving them, St. Paul points out in what sense religion is a 'gain,' namely, that it produces... [ Continue Reading ]
SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS] RV 'supposing that godliness is a way of gain.' 8. RAIMENT] RV 'covering.' Houses may be included as well as clothes. 9, 10. Similarly Seneca, 'Ep.' 87, 'While we wish to gain riches we fall into many evils.'... [ Continue Reading ]
O MAN OF GOD] cp. 1 Samuel 2:27; 1 Kings 12:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
RESUMPTION OF PERSONAL CHARGE TO TIMOTHY. Timothy's conduct was to be in absolute contrast with that of the heterodox teachers, who valued religion as a source of gain. He must be faithful, as he had promised when he made his confession of faith, and as Christ faithfully made His confession before P... [ Continue Reading ]
ART.. CALLED] RV 'was called.' A GOOD CONFESSION] RV 'the good confession,' made when he was admitted into the Church, or possibly when he was brought before a Roman magistrate to answer for his faith (Hebrews 13:23).... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS COMMANDMENT] i.e. the sum of the charges contained in the Epistle. WITHOUT SPOT, UNREBUKEABLE] Timothy's faith is to be without spot, so that he should be without reproach. UNTIL THE APPEARING] These words do not necessarily indicate a belief on St. Paul's part that the Coming of the Lord would... [ Continue Reading ]
READY.. TO COMMUNICATE] i.e. to contribute generously of their substance.... [ Continue Reading ]
LAYING UP IN STORE] see Matthew 6:19; Luke 16:9. ETERNAL LIFE] RV 'life indeed,' following a reading which, has slightly the better authority of the two. 20-22. Final and impassioned appeal to Timothy. The faith is a 'deposit' (RV) which St. Paul has committed to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:13), and which... [ Continue Reading ]