Analysis Of The Chapter There is, in many respects, a strong resemblance between the first part of this chapter, 1 Timothy 4, and 2 Thessalonians 2; compare notes on that chapter. The leading object of this chapter is to state to Timothy certain things of which he was constantly to remind the churc... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE SPIRIT - Evidently the Holy Spirit; the Spirit of inspiration. It is not quite certain, from this passage, whether the apostle means to say that this was a revelation “then” made to him, or whether it was a well-understood thing as taught by the Holy Spirit. He himself elsewhere refers to th... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAKING LIES IN HYPOCRISY - ἐν ὑποκρισει ψευδολόγων en hupokrisei pseudologōn. Or rather, “by, or through the hypocrisy of those speaking lies. So it is rendered by Whitby, Benson, Macknight, and others. Our translators have rendered it as if the word translated “speaking lies” - ψευδολόγων ps... [ Continue Reading ]
FORBIDDING TO MARRY - That is, “They will depart from the faith through the hypocritical teaching - of those who forbid to marry;” see notes on 1 Timothy 4:2. This does not necessarily mean that they would prohibit marriage altogether, but that it would be a characteristic of their teaching that mar... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVERY CREATURE OF GOD IS GOOD - Greek, “all the creatures, or all that God has created” - πᾶν κτίσμα pan ktisma: that is, as he made it; compare Genesis 1:10, Genesis 1:12, Genesis 1:18, Genesis 1:31. It does not mean that every moral agent remains good as long as he is “a creature of God,” bu... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT IS SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD OF GOD - By the authority or permission of God. It would be profane or unholy if he had forbidden it; it is made holy or proper for our use by his permission, and no command of “man” can make it unholy or improper; compare Genesis 1:29; Genesis 9:3. AND PRAYER - If... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU PUT THE BRETHREN IN REMEMBRANCE OF THESE THINGS - Of the truths just stated. They are, therefore, proper subjects to preach upon. It is the duty of the ministry to show to the people of their charge what “is” error and where it may be apprehended, and to caution them to avoid it. NOURISHED... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT REFUSE - That is, refuse to pay attention to them, or reject them. Do not consider them of sufficient importance to occupy your time. PROFANE - The word here used does not mean that the fables here referred to were blasphemous or impious in their character, but that they had not the character o... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR BODILY EXERCISE PROFITETH LITTLE - Margin, “for a little time.” The Greek will admit of either interpretation, and what is here affirmed is true in either sense. The bodily exercise to which the apostle refers is of little advantage compared with that piety which he recommended Timothy to cultiv... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING - see the notes on 1 Timothy 1:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEREFORE WE BOTH LABOUR AND SUFFER REPROACH - In making this truth known, that all might be saved, or that salvation was offered to all. The “labor” was chiefly experienced in carrying this intelligence abroad among the Gentiles; the “reproach” arose chiefly from the Jews for doing it. BECAUSE... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS COMMAND AND TEACH - As important doctrines, and as embracing the sum of the Christian system. It follows from this, that a minister of the gospel is solemnly bound to teach that there is a sense in which God is the Saviour of all people. He is just as much bound to teach this, as he is... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NO MAN DESPISE THY YOUTH - That is, do not act in such a manner that any shall despise you on account of your youth. Act as becomes a minister of the gospel in all things, and in such a way that people will respect you as such, though you are young. It is clear from this that Timothy was then a... [ Continue Reading ]
TILL I COME; - notes, 1 Timothy 3:14. GIVE ATTENDANCE TO READING - The word here used may refer either to public or to private reading; see Act 13:15; 2 Corinthians 3:14; compare Esdr. 9:48. The more obvious interpretation here is to refer it to private reading, or to a careful perusal of those book... [ Continue Reading ]
NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE - An important question arises here, to what the word “gift” refers; whether to natural endowment; to office; or to some supposed virtue which had been conferred by ordination - some transmitted influence which made him holy as a minister of religion, and which w... [ Continue Reading ]
MEDITATE UPON THESE THINGS - Upon the train of events by which you have been led into the ministry, and upon the responsibilites and duties of the office. Let your mind be deeply impressed with these things; make them the subject of profound and serious thought. GIVE THYSELF WHOLLY TO THEM - Greek “... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE HEED UNTO THYSELF - This may be understood as relating to everything of a personal nature that would qualify him for his work. It may be applied to personal piety; to health; to manners; to habits of living; to temper; to the ruling purposes; to the contact with others. In relation to personal... [ Continue Reading ]