In these verses, we have the penman of this epistle described, by his name, PAUL; by his office, AN APOSTLE; by the person that sent him, JESUS CHRIST; by the end of his mission to preach, THE PROMISE OF LIFE; that is, the gospel in which the promise of life eternal is contained. Note here, 1. That... [ Continue Reading ]
But how could Paul, before conversion, be said to serve the God of his forefathers with. pure conscience, when he was. persecutor, and the chief of sinners? ANS. The meaning is, That he worshipped the same God, and the only true God, which his forefathers worshipped, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The vehemency of affection which our apostle expresses towards Timothy; he desired, greatly desired, to see him, and with the sight of him to be filled with joy. Note, That though we must love all Christians, with. sincere love, yet we may love some Christians with. more fervent love... [ Continue Reading ]
This is another reason why St. Paul so earnestly desired. sight of his dear son Timothy, namely,. remembrance of his faith, as well as of his tears; which faith is described by the qulaity of it, UNFEIGNED; by the effect of it, it DWELT; by the subjects wherein, in LOIS, EUNICE, and TIMOTHY; by the... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. St. Paul's care in putting Timothy in remembrance of his duty, though he very well knew it before: WHEREFORE,. PUT THEE IN REMEMBRANCE. None are so well instructed in their duty, but they may and ought sometimes to be put in remembrance of what their duty is. Note, 2. The duty whic... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle exhorts Timothy to an holy courage and undaunted resolution in the execution of his office. As if he had said, "Be not discouraged by persection: for God hath not given us, his messengers, the spirit of fear, but of courage and fortitude; fearless we are of the frowns of men: Also T... [ Continue Reading ]
As if the apostle had said, "To fortify thee against the fear of those persecutions, and to arm thee against the shame of those reproaches, which may probably attend thee in the work of the gospel, consider, that the God whom thou servest in this employment, is he that hath saved us, and called us w... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHICH CAUSE, that is, "For the sake of the gospel, and not as an evil doer,. suffer patiently all afflictive evils, without either fear or shame, well knowing in whom. repose my faith and hope, my trust and confidence; and firmly believing that he is able to keep that which. have committed to hi... [ Continue Reading ]
By SOUND WORDS, we are to understand the doctrine of the gospel; by. FORM OF SOUND WORDS, the truths and doctrine of the gospel methodically disposed and digested; to hold it fast, is, not to swerve from it in the course of our ministry, but pertinaciously to adhere to it, not parting with it oursel... [ Continue Reading ]
By ALL IN ASIA, we are to understand very many, almost all, not every individual person: Some think they were teachers in Asia, others that they were private Christians; some that they were his companions and followers, who, when they saw him imprisoned, deserted and left him; and particularly, Phyg... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle having complained of many in Asia forsaking him, in the day of his sufferings in the foregoing verse; in this, he makes. grateful commemoration of the kindness of Onesiphorus towards him, who refreshed him with his Presence and relief, and was not ASHAMED OF HIS CHAIN, of his imprisonmen... [ Continue Reading ]