aul relates his conversion and I. TIMOTHY. call to the apostleship. A. M. 406). A. D. 65. 10 For whoremongers, for them || 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our A. M. 4069. that defile themselves with mankind,|| Lord, who hath enabled me, for for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, that he counted me faithful, putting me into and if there be any other thing that is contrary the ministry; Ito sound doctrine, 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief: 1 Cor. vii. 25.- 2 Cor. iii. 5, 6; iv. 1; Col. i. 25. z Acts viii. 3; ix. 1; 1 Cor. xv. 9; Phil. iii. 6. - Luke xxiii. 34; John ix. 39, 41; Acts iii. 17; xxvi. 9. saic, is, as far as it goes, salutary doctrine. On the other hand, the doctrine which encourages men to sin, or which makes them easy under it, though represented by some as evangelical, and the sweet doctrine of grace, is unwholesome and pernicious. According to the glorious gospel-Which, far from making void, does indeed establish the law, and that Verses 12-14. And I thank Christ Jesus-Here thanksgiving, an important branch of divine worship, is addressed to the Lord Jesus; who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful—The meaning is, I thank him for putting me into the ministry, and enabling me to be faithful therein; who was before a blasphemer-Of Christ; a persecutor-Of his church; and injurious-In my behaviour toward it; or rather a reviler, as vhọɩ5ŋv may be properly rendered, namely, of his doctrine and people. But I obtained mercy-He does not say, because I was unconditionally elected, but, because I did it igno be justified, Rom. iii. 20; Gal. ii. 16; where see the notes. But Christ having redeemed true believers from that curse and condemnation of the law to which they would otherwise be exposed, through him their love to God and man is graciously accepted as the fulfilling of the law, Rom. xiii. 10; Gal. v. 14; James ii. 8. But for the lawless-That is, it lies against the lawless; and disobedient-Who, || in the most effectual manner. despising or disregarding the authority of the lawgiver, knowingly transgress his commands. Perhaps, as some observe, the expression, KELTAι, lies, refers to the custom of having laws written on tables, and hung up or laid in public places, to be read || by all, and evidently showing against whom the law || lay: see on Col. ii. 14. Against the ungodly and sinners-Persons destitute of the knowledge and fear, as well as love of God, and notorious transgressors; the unholy-In heart and life; and profane -Violating the name and day of God, and all sacred things, and so treating with contempt or neglect all the commands of the first table: murderers of fa-rantly-Because, though I acted in a very rash, thers and of mothers-The apostle proceeds to speak savage, and criminal manner, yet I did not therein of those who violate the commands of the second contradict the sentiments of my own conscience; table; and first, of those who, instead of honouring in unbelief-Not knowing nor believing that Jesus their parents, even imbrue their hands in their blood, of Nazareth is the Messiah, or that those whom I and so by one act transgress and trample under foot persecuted were his servants. Not that his ignoboth the fifth and sixth commands: whoremongersrance took away his sin, but it left him capable of -Adulterers, fornicators, and lewd persons of all mercy, which he would hardly have been, had he kinds, who violate the seventh; men-stealers-Who|| acted as he did in contradiction to the conviction of in the grossest sense possible break the eighth; for his own mind: for had he knowingly opposed what of all thieves, those who steal human beings are the he apprehended to be truth, (especially truth of such worst. In comparison of them, highwaymen and unspeakable importance to the glory of God and the house-breakers are innocent! "They who make salvation of mankind,) out of regard to his secular war for the inhuman purpose of selling the van- interest, he would doubtless have been left to perish quished for slaves, as is the practice of African under a judicial blindness and hardness of heart. It princes; and they who, like African traders, en- is probable, as Paul was "then a scholar at Gamacourage their unchristian traffic by purchasing that liel's feet, he might not have been present when any which they know to be thus unjustly acquired, are of Christ's miracles were performed, as Christ spent really men-stealers."-Macknight. And such are all but little time at Jerusalem. The popular cry was the nations who legalize or connive at such proceed- strong against him, and the Pharisees and rulers ings. And what shall we say of those who steal treated him with so much contempt, and were so children to beg with them, or that they may rob full of malignity toward him, and so ready to advance them of their clothes, or for other purposes: or of the most slanderous reports to the prejudice of his those who enlist soldiers by lies, tricks, or entice- character, that it is the less to be wondered at that ments? Liars, perjured persons-Who violate the this rash, hot youth was borne down by the torrent. ninth commandment; and if there be any other Yet we see how far Paul was from thinking all this, thing-As there are very many; contrary to sound and whatever could be added to it, a sufficient exdoctrine-Tylaivoon diduokahia, salutary, or healing cuse. Instead of insinuating, with some, that the doctrine. According to the apostle, therefore, the miracle wrought for his conversion to Christianity doctrine which condemns and restrains wicked prac- was a reward for his extraordinary integrity and tices, though ridiculed by some as legal and Phari- || virtue while a Jewish zealot, he speaks of himself as The apostle's charge A. D. 65. b C CHAPTER I. d m to Timothy. A. D. 65. A. M. 4069. 14 And the grace of our Lord was || 17 Now unto the King eternal, * im- A. M. 4069. exceeding abundant with faith and mortal, 'invisible, the only wise God, love which is in Christ Jesus. " be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, Paccording to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest 1 war a good warfare; 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, h for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 19 Holding faith and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck : S heathen deities who were the workmanship of men's hands, or the creatures of God, such as the luminaries of heaven, and from all those deified heroes and other human beings who had once been visible on earth, and were made the objects of worship after their decease. To the only wise God-Or, to God only wise; that is, originally, independently, essentially, and infinitely; or, to the wise God alone, (for the reason of which rendering see note on Rom. xvi. 27,) be honour and glory-That is, let these excellences be more sensibly manifested, more seriously and frequently acknowledged, and sincerely venerated. one of the greatest sinners upon earth, and thereby ed to one who had so furiously persecuted his shows, by the way, how much guilt a man may con- || church. tract without acting directly contrary to the convic- Verse 17. Now unto the King, &c.-A considerations of his mind, if he has neglected an impartial || tion of the great mercy which God had shown him, care in forming his principles of action."-Doddridge. in not only pardoning him when he was involved And the grace of our Lord-Whereby I obtain mer- in such great guilt, but in making him an example cy; was exceeding abundant-Yпεрεлλεоvаσε, super- for the comfort of future penitents, causes him to abounded; with faith-Opposite to my preceding || break forth in a rapture of praise and thanksgiving; unbelief; and love-Opposite to my blasphemy, eternal-Whose existence had no beginning, and persecution, and reviling; which is in Christ Jesus || shall have no end; immortal—Or incorruptible, as -Which, through his mediation and the influence aovapre also signifies; it is however rightly transof his Spirit, was implanted in my heart, thereby || lated immortal, because what is incorruptible is likegiving life and comfort to my profession. wise immortal; invisible-To mortal eyes. By this Verses 15, 16. This is a faithful saying-A say-epithet the true God is distinguished from all those ing not only certainly true, but infinitely momentous, as the same expression evidently signifies chap. iv. 9; 2 Tim. ii. 11; Tit. iii. 8; and worthy of all acceptation-As infallibly true, it is worthy of all credit, and as infinitely important, worthy of being considered, received, and embraced, with all the powers of our souls; that Christ-The Messiah promised; Jesus-The Saviour exhibited; came into the world to save sinners-All sinners without exception, who are willing to be saved in the way of repentance toward God, and faith in him and his gospel. Of whom I am chief-"The apostle did not mean that he was absolutely the greatest of all sinners, but the greatest of those who sinned through Verses 18-20. This charge-To the Judaizers ignorance, as is plain from verse 13. And he spake not to teach differently, or this office of the ministry; in this manner concerning himself, to show the deep I commit unto thee-That thou mayest deliver it to sense he had of his sin in reviling Christ, and per- the church; according to—Or, being encouraged by; secuting his disciples, and that he judged charitably the prophecies which went before on thee-He refers of the sins of other men, and of their extenuations." to some special revelations concerning Timothy, that Howbeit, for this cause-Among others which were he should be taken into the ministry, and be emialso important; I obtained mercy, that in me first—nently useful therein; probably these were uttered Or, in me the chief of sinners, as the clause may when he was first received as an evangelist, (see be rendered; Jesus Christ might show forth all long-|| chap. iv. 14,) and that by many persons, chap. vi. 12. suffering-Might exhibit an example thereof to the That being assured by them that thy calling is from view of the whole world; for a pattern to them- God, and that his grace and blessing will accomFor the direction and encouragement of those who pany thee, thou mightest war a good warfareshould afterward believe on him-Even to the re- Mightest execute thy office with courage, resolution, motest ages of time; that is, to teach and encourage and persevering diligence, notwithstanding all oppothem to expect the like mercy upon their believing sition and discouragements whatever. Holding fast in him, to the obtaining of eternal life. And it must a true and lively faith-In the gospel and its divine be acknowledged, that no example could be more Author; and a good conscience-That is, walking proper to encourage the greatest sinners in every uprightly before God and man, according to the age to repent, than the pardon which Christ grant-directions of an enlightened and renewed mind; Prayers to be made I. TIMOTHY. for magistrates, &c. A. M. 4069. 20 Of whom is Hymeneus and || unto Satan, that they may learn not A. M. 4069. "Alexander; whom I have delivered to blaspheme. A. D. 65. 2 Tim. ii. 17.—————" 2 Tim. ii. 14. *1 Cor. v. 5.-y Acts xiii. 45. A. D. 65. which-Namely, a good conscience; some—Aлwσα- terror on others. If the offender, in consequence of μevol, having thrust away, or rejected. "It departs this punishment, was afflicted with some bodily unwillingly," says Bengelius, "it always says, 'Do || disease, it probably was removed on his repentance, not hurt me;' and they who retain this, do not easily or after a time. And even though it continued, make shipwreck of their faith." Indeed, none can some of the offenders may have been so obstinate in make shipwreck of faith who never had faith. The their wicked courses, that they did not amend. This persons here spoken of, therefore, were once true seems to have been the case with the two persons believers; yet they fell, not only foully, but finally. here named; "for notwithstanding the apostle, after For ships once wrecked cannot be afterward saved. || his departure, punished them by delivering them to "In this metaphorical passage the apostle insinuates Satan, they persevered in spreading their erroneous that a good conscience is the pilot, who must guide doctrines, 2 Tim. ii. 17; iv. 14. At what time the us in our voyage through the stormy sea of this life apostle delivered these persons to Satan does not into the harbour of heaven." Of whom is Hyme- appear; but from his informing Timothy of it as a neus and Alexander-Two of the corrupt teachers thing he did not know, it may be conjectured that at Ephesus, whom Timothy was left to oppose; the apostle did it after he left Ephesus, and was whom I have delivered unto Satan-See on 1 Cor. come into Macedonia, probably immediately before v. 5; that they may learn not to blaspheme-That he wrote this epistle. And as it was done without by what they suffer they may be, in some measure, the knowledge or concurrence of the church at restrained from speaking evil of the truths of God. Ephesus, it was not the censure called excommuniThe apostles delivered obstinate offenders to Satan, cation, but an exercise of miraculous power, which not only for their own reformation, but to strike was peculiar to him as an apostle."-Macknight. CHAPTER II. Here the apostle (1,) Directs prayers to be made for magistrates and all sorts of men, since the grace of God and the blessings procured by the mediation of Christ are free for all mcn, 1–8. (2,) He shows how women professing godliness ought to adorn and conduct themselves, and prohibits their teaching and usurping authority over men, 9-14. (3,) Signifies how they may be saved in child-bearing, 15. NOTES ON CHAPTER II. Verse 1. I exhort therefore-Seeing God is so gracious, and thou art intrusted with the office of the ministry, I give thee this in charge among other things. He proceeds to give directions, 1st, With regard to public prayers; and, 2d, With regard to doctrine. That supplications-To prevent evil; prayers-To procure good; intercessions-On behalf of others; and giving of thanks-For mercies received; be made for all men-Chiefly in public. "Supplications, dengeic," says Whitby, "are deprecations for the pardon of sin, and averting divine judgments; pooevxai, prayers, for the obtaining of all spiritual and temporal blessings; evreugels, intercessions, addresses presented to God for the salvation of others. And by this rule were the devotions of the church continually directed. For, saith the author of the book De Vocatione Gentium, 'there is no part of the world in which the Christian people do not put up such prayers as these, praying not only for the saints, but for infidels, idolaters, the enemies of the cross, and the persecutors of Christ's members; for Jews, heretics, and schismatics."" Of prayer in general we may observe, it is any kind of offering up of our desires to God. But the true, effectual, fervent prayer, which St. James speaks of as availing much, implies the vehemency of holy zeal, the ardour of divine love, arising from a calm, undisturbed soul, moved upon by the Spirit of God. "By this exhortation," says Macknight, “we are taught, while men live, not to despair of their conversion, however wicked they may be, but to use the means necessary thereto, and to beg of God to accompany these means with his blessing." Verses 2-4. For kings-Especially; and for all that are in authority-"That is, for the ministers h a ransom for all men. 6 i Who gave himself a ransom for A. M. 4069. all, to be testified in due time. k 3 A. D. 65. 7 m Whereunto I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, ("I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not,) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; || verity. Rom. xii. 2; Chap. v. 4.- d Chap. i. 1; 2 Tim. i. 9. Exod. xviii. 23; John iii. 16, 17; Tit. ii. 11; 2 Pet. iii. 9. || John xvii. 3; 2 Tim. ii. 25.- - Rom. iii. 29, 30; x. 12. Heb. viii. 6; ix. 15. i Matt. xx. 28; Mark x. 45; Eph. i. 7; Tit. ii. 14.- 1 Cor. Rom. v. 6; Gal. iv. 4; Eph. i. 2 Tim. i. 11.- n Rom. ix. 1. 16. and counsellors of kings, and for the inferior magis- those of their own religion, cherished a most rancortrates, by whatever name they may be called, seeing ous hatred of all the rest of mankind. Who will even the lowest country magistrates frequently do || have all men-Not a part only, much less the smallmuch good or much harm. In the early times the est part; to be saved-Eternally. This is treated of Jews prayed for the heathen princes, who held them verses 5, 6. And-In order thereto; to come-(They in captivity, (Ezra vi. 10; Bar. i. 10, 11,) being direct- are not compelled ;) to the knowledge of the truth— ed by God so to do, Jer. xxix. 7. But afterward be- Which brings salvation. This is treated of verses coming more bigoted, they would not pray for any 6, 7; to which knowledge they would be most likely heathen ruler whatever. Nay, the zealots among to come, if they should see the professors of it bethem held that no obedience was due from the peo- having in the manner now recommended, and avoidple of God to idolatrous princes, and often raised ing all occasions either of public or private offence. seditions in the heathen countries, as well as in Ju- Verses 5-7. For there is one God-One Creator dea, against the heathen magistrates. This malevo- || of all, the Father of the spirits of all flesh, who is lent disposition some of the Jewish converts brought || no respecter of persons; and one Mediator between with them into the Christian Church. The apostle, God and men-Appointed by God to make atonetherefore, agreeably to the true spirit of the gospel, ment for the sins of men by his death, and who, in commanded the brethren at Ephesus to pray, both consequence of that atonement, is authorized to inin public and private, for all men, whatever their tercede with God in behalf of sinners, and empownation, their religion, or their character might be, ered to convey all his blessings to them. The man and especially for kings. That we may lead a quiet Christ Jesus-Therefore all men are to apply to and peaceable life-God supports the power of ma- this Mediator. By declaring that the one Mediator gistracy for the sake of his own people, when, in the is the man Jesus Christ, St. Paul intimated that his present state of men, it could not otherwise be kept mediation was founded in the atonement which he up in any nation whatever. And we should pray made for our sins in the human nature. Wherefore that our rulers may exercise their power in such a Christ's intercession for us is quite different from our wise and equitable manner, that, under the protec- intercession for one another: he intercedes as having tion of their government, we may live in peace with merited what he asks for us. Whereas we intercede our neighbours, and undisturbed by foreign enemies. for our brethren, merely as expressing our good-will In all godliness-In the genuine fear, love, worship, toward them. We, depraved and guilty sinners, and service of God; and honesty-A comprehensive could not rejoice that there is a God, were there not word, taking in the whole duty we owe to our neigh- a Mediator also; one who stands between God and bour. "In the first age, when the disciples of Christ men, to reconcile man to God, and to transact the were liable to be persecuted for their religion by whole affair of our salvation. This excludes all their heathen neighbours, it was highly necessary, other mediators, as saints and angels, whom the by praying for kings and all in authority, to make Papists set up and idolatrously worship as such: the heathen rulers sensible that they were good sub- just as the heathen of old set up many mediators to jects. For thus they might expect to be less the ob- pacify their superior gods. Who gave himself a ranject of their hatred." For this-That we should som for all-Avriλutpov, such a ransom, the word sigpray for them and all men; is good and acceptable nifies, wherein a like or equal is given, as an eye for in the sight of God our Saviour-Who has actually an eye. The clause seems to be an allusion to saved us, and is willing to save all. For the disci- Christ's words, (Matt. xx. 28,) to give his life, hvτpov ples of Christ thus to pray for all men, especially for avri, a ransom for many. Any price given for the their heathen enemies and persecutors, was of ex- redemption of a captive, was called by the Greeks cellent use to make the latter sensible how good,|| 2vrpov, a ransom; but when life was given for life, how patient, and how benevolent the disciples of they used the word avrihvтpov. Indeed, this ransom Jesus were, and that their religion led them to no paid by Christ, from the dignity of his person, was seditious practices. Indeed, as Macknight observes, more than equivalent to all mankind. To be testithis display of the Christian character was then pe- fied in due time-To μaptuρiov karpoiç idiots, the testiculiarly necessary, in that the heathen were apt to mony, that is, a thing to be testified, in his own confound the Christians with the Jews, and to im- seasons; namely, those chosen by his own wisdom. pute to them the odious spirit and wicked practices Whereunto I am ordained-Appointed; a preacher of the Jews, who, confining their benevolence to-Knpv§, a herald, to proclaim the grace of it all abroad; and an apostle-To attest by miracles that appear in public assemblies for divine worship; great and essential doctrine of it, the resurrection of || adorn themselves in modest-Kooμw, decent, or beJesus from the dead. I speak the truth in Christ- || coming, apparel-Neither too costly nor sordid, but As thou, Timothy, well knowest; I lie not-In pre- || what is neat and clean, as the word signifies, and tending to such an extraordinary mission. Ateacher || suitable to their place and calling. The word kataof the Gentiles-As if he had said, I was not only in soλn, rendered apparel, according to Theophylact general ordained to this ministry, but by peculiar and Ecumenius, was a long upper garment which destination was appointed to preach to the heathen covered the body every way. What the apostle and instruct them; in faith and verity-That is, in especially forbids is that immodest manner of dressthe faith of the gospel, and in the whole system of ing which is calculated to excite impure desires in truth which it comprehends. This same solemn as- the spectators, or a vain admiration of the beauty of severation the apostle used Rom. ix. 1. He intro- || those that use it: also that gaudiness or showiness duces it here in confirmation of his being an apostle, of dress which proceeds from vanity, and nourishes and a teacher of the Gentiles in the true faith of the vanity, wastes time and money, and so prevents gospel, because some in Ephesus denied his apostle- many good works. With shamefacedness-Mera ship, and especially because the Jews were so averse aides, with modesty, teaching to avoid every thing to his preaching the gospel among the Gentiles, unbecoming; and sobriety-Or soundness of mind, charging his doing it either upon the want of a due as σwópocvvŋ signifies, which will prevent all unneregard to his own nation, or some view of avarice cessary expense. This latter expression, in St. Paul's or ambition. On this passage Dr. Benson remarks, || sense, signifies the virtue that governs our whole ። What writer ever kept closer to his subject than life according to true wisdom. Not with broidered this apostle? The more we understand him, the -Plaited, or rather curled hair, as λeyμativ properly more we admire how much every sentence and signifies; or gold-Worn by way of ornament; or every word tends to the main purpose of his writing." pearls-Jewels of any kind; (a part is put for the Verse 8. I will-A word strongly expressing his whole ;) or costly array-Iμatioμw tohvreĥεl, expenapostolical authority; therefore-This particle con- sive clothing. These four things are expressly fornects the 8th and the 1st verse; that men pray bidden by name to all women, (there is no exception,) everywhere-Еvаντι Tопw, in every place. Wherever professing godliness—And no art of man can reconmen are, there prayer should be used; and if their cile with the Christian profession, the wilful violation hearts be right with God they will use it. By this of an express command. But-Instead of these vain precept the apostle condemned the superstitious ornaments, (what is itself infinitely more valuable, notion of both the Jews and Gentiles, who fancied and much better becometh women professing godlithat prayers offered in temples were more ac- ness, and the gospel of Christ, the great rule of it,) ceptable to God than those offered anywhere else. with good works-That is, works of mercy and This worshipping of God in all places was foretold charity to their fellow-creatures, which will render as the peculiar glory of the gospel dispensation, them amiable in the eyes of God himself, and of all Mal. i. 11. Lifting up holy hands-Pure from all wise and virtuous persons with whom they converse. known sin, and in particular from injustice and op- Verses 11-14. Let the women learn in silence-Let pression; without wrath-In any kind, against any every woman receive instruction in religious matcreature. And observe, reader, every temper of the ters from the men in silence, in your public assemsoul which is not according to love is wrath; and blies; with all subjection-With becoming submission doubting-Which is contrary to faith. Unholy to the other sex, neither teaching nor asking quesactions, or wrath, or want of faith in him we call tions there. I suffer not a woman to teach-Namely, upon, are the three grand hinderances of God's hear- publicly; nor to usurp authority over the maning our petitions. Christianity consists of faith and Which she might seem to do if she officiated under love, embracing truth and grace. Therefore the the character of a public teacher. The word avversum of our wishes should be to pray, and live, andrew, here used, signifies both to have, and to exercise die, shunning every known sin, and guarding against w ati ani doubting. Verses 9, 10. In like manner also, I command that women-Particularly when they are about to || authority over another. In this passage it is properly translated usurp authority; because, when a woman pretends to exercise authority over a man, she arrogates a power which does not belong to her. |