that thou keep this commandment the commandment; this phrase in the singular or plural (as indicated above, 1 Timothy 6:13) specially characterises St John's first epistle and is closely linked with the confession of the true Christ: and the commandment there is -love": see e.g. 1 John 3:23. Again St Paul here, in 1 Timothy 6:13, -I charge thee" &c. Is clearly recurring to -the charge" of 1 Timothy 1:5, -the end" of which is - love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned." We have therefore no difficulty as to -the commandment" here.

without spot, unrebukeable Both words used of persons only in N.T., elsewhere of things; the latter has occurred 1 Timothy 3:2 and 1 Timothy 5:7, and so A.V. apparently here refers them to Timothy; R.V. alters, giving the alliter ation and leaving open the question whether they agree with the subject or the object without spot, without reproach. The early Greek interpreters take them with -commandment," which on the whole the construction favours.

the appearing of our Lord At His second Advent; lit. -the Epiphany." After use in the Apostle's earliest letters, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, which dealt directly with the subject, the word has been dormant till now; now in each of the latest letters (here and Titus 2:13 and 2 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:8) it shines out, as is so natural after the 15 years that have made an old man of him: -Surely the world too is growing old; Timothy may see His coming: yet let it be its own time no nearer, no further."

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