1_Now the Spirit plainly saith _He had industriously admonished Timothy about many things; and now he shews the necessity, because it is proper to provide against the danger which the Holy Spirit forewarns to be fast approaching, namely, that false teachers will come, who shall hold out trifles as t... [ Continue Reading ]
2_Speaking lies in hypocrisy _If these words refer to “demons,” then this word will mean men deceiving through the instigation of the devil. But we may also supply the words, “of men speaking.” He now descends to a particular instance, when he says that they “speak lies in hypocrisy,” and _have thei... [ Continue Reading ]
3_Forbidding to marry_. Having described the class, he next mentions two instances, (71) namely, the prohibition of marriage and of some kinds of food. They arise from that hypocrisy which, having forsaken true holiness, seeks something else for the purpose of concealment and disguise; for they who... [ Continue Reading ]
4_For every creature of God is good _The use of food must be judged, partly from its substance, and partly from the person of him who eats it. The Apostle therefore avails himself of both arguments. So far as relates to food, he asserts that it is pure, because God has created it; and that the use o... [ Continue Reading ]
5_For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer _This is the confirmation of the preceding clause, _if it be received with Thanksgiving_. And it is an argument drawn from contrast; for “holy” and “profane” are things contrary to each other. Let us now see what is the sanctification of all good... [ Continue Reading ]
6_Exhibiting these things to the brethren _By this expression he exhorts Timothy to mention those things frequently; and he afterwards repeats this a second and a third time; for they are things of such a nature as it is proper to call frequently to remembrance. And we ought to make the contrast whi... [ Continue Reading ]
7_Exercise thyself to godliness _(74) After having instructed him as to doctrine, what it ought to be, he now also admonishes him what kind of example he ought to give to others. He says, that he ought to be employed in “godliness;” for, when he says, _Exercise thyself_, he means that this is his pr... [ Continue Reading ]
8_For bodily exercise is of little profit_. By the exercise “of the body,” he does not mean that which lies in hunting, or in the race-course, or in wrestling, or in digging, or in the mechanical occupations; but he gives that name to all the outward actions that are undertaken, for the sake of reli... [ Continue Reading ]
9_This is a faithful saying _He now sets down, at the conclusion of the argument, what he stated twice at the beginning of it; and he appears to do so expressly, because he will immediately subjoin the contrary objection. Yet it is not without good reason that he employs so strong an assertion; for... [ Continue Reading ]
10_For in this we both labor and suffer reproaches _This is an anticipation by which he solves that question, “Are not believers the most miserable of all men, because they are oppressed by tribulations of every kind?” In order to show, therefore, that their condition must not be judged from outward... [ Continue Reading ]
11_Instruct and teach these things _He means that the doctrine is of such a kind, that men ought not to be weary of it, though they heard it every day. There are, no doubt, other things to be taught; but there is emphasis in the demonstrative _these; _for it means that they are not things of small i... [ Continue Reading ]
12_Let no man despise thy youth _He says this, both in regard to others, and to Timothy himself. As to others, he does not wish that the age of Timothy should prevent him from obtaining that reverence which he deserves, provided that, in other respects, he conduct himself as becomes a minister of Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
13_Attend to reading _He knew Timothy’s diligence, and yet he recommends to him diligent reading of the Scriptures. How shall pastors teach others if they be not eager to learn? And if so great a man is advised to study to make progress from day to day, how much more do we need such an advice? Woe t... [ Continue Reading ]
14_Neglect not the gift that is in thee _The Apostle exhorts Timothy to employ, for the edification of the Church, that grace with which he was endued. God does not wish that talents — which he has bestowed on any one, that they may bring gain — should either be lost, or be hidden in the earth witho... [ Continue Reading ]
15_Take heed to these things _(81) The greater the difficulty in faithfully discharging the ministry of the Church, so much the more ought a pastor to apply himself earnestly, and with his whole might; and that not only for a short time, but with unfailing perseverance. (82) Paul therefore reminds T... [ Continue Reading ]
16_Give heed to thyself, and to the doctrine _There are two things of which a good pastor should be careful; to be diligent in teaching, and to keep himself pure. (83) It is not enough if he frame his life to all that is good and commendable, and guard against giving a bad example, if he do not like... [ Continue Reading ]