1 Timothy 3:1
He desireth a good work — An excellent, but laborious, employment.... [ Continue Reading ]
He desireth a good work — An excellent, but laborious, employment.... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore — That he may be capable of it. A bishop — Or pastor of a congregation. Must be blameless — Without fault or just suspicion. The husband of one wife — This neither means that a bishop must be married, nor that he may not marry a second wife; which it is just as lawful for him to do as to m... [ Continue Reading ]
Having his children in subjection with all seriousness — For levity undermines all domestic authority; and this direction, by a parity of reason, belongs to all parents.... [ Continue Reading ]
Lest being puffed up — With this new honour, or with the applause which frequently follows it. He fall into the condemnation of the devil — The same into which the devil fell.... [ Continue Reading ]
He ought also to have a good report — To have had a fair character in time past. From them that are without — That are not Christians. Lest he fall into reproach — By their rehearsing his former life, which might discourage and prove a snare to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Likewise the deacons must he serious — Men of a grave, decent, venerable behaviour. But where are presbyters? Were this order essentially distinct from that of bishops, could the apostle have passed it over in silence? Not desirous of filthy gain — With what abhorrence does he everywhere speak of th... [ Continue Reading ]
Holding fast the faith in a pure conscience — Steadfast in faith, holy in heart and life.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let these he proved first — Let a trial be made how they believe. Then let them minister — Let them be fixed in that office.... [ Continue Reading ]
Faithful in all things — Both to God, their husbands, and the poor.... [ Continue Reading ]
They purchase a good degree — Or step, toward some higher office. And much boldness — From the testimony of a good conscience.... [ Continue Reading ]
That thou mayest know how to behave — This is the scope of the epistle. In the house of God — Who is the master of the family. Which is — As if he had said, By the house of God, I mean the church.... [ Continue Reading ]
The mystery of godliness — Afterwards specified in six articles, which sum up the whole economy of Christ upon earth. Is the pillar and ground — The foundation and support of all the truth taught in his church. God was manifest in the flesh — In the form of a servant, the fashion of a man, for three... [ Continue Reading ]