_Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ_ The apostle begins his epistle with asserting his apostolical dignity, not because Timothy was in any doubt concerning it, but to make the Ephesians sensible of the danger they incurred, if they rejected the charges and admonitions which the apostle ordered Timothy... [ Continue Reading ]
_As I besought thee_ Παρεκαλεσα σε, _I entreated thee._ It is observed by Beza, that by using this soft expression the apostle hath left a singular example of modesty, to be imitated by superiors in their behaviour toward their inferiors in the church. _When I went into Macedonia_, (Acts 20:1,) _tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now the end_ The scope, design, or substance; _of the commandment_ Or _charge_, rather, as παραγγελια properly signifies, being a noun derived from the verb, translated, _that thou mightest charge, 1 Timothy 1:3_. The apostle had desired Timothy to continue at Ephesus, that he might _charge_ some t... [ Continue Reading ]
_We know that the law is good_ Answers excellent purposes; _if a man use it lawfully_ In a proper manner. Even the ceremonial law is good as it points to Christ, and is emblematical of the various branches of salvation that are in and through him; and the moral law is _holy, just_, and _good_, resul... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I thank Christ Jesus_ Here _thanksgiving_, an important branch of divine worship, is addressed to the Lord Jesus; _who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful_ The meaning is, I thank him for putting me into the ministry, and enabling me to be faithful therein; _who was before a blasph... [ Continue Reading ]
_This is a faithful saying_ A saying not only certainly true, but infinitely momentous, as the same expression evidently signifies 1Ti 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:8; _and worthy of all acceptation_ As infallibly true, it is worthy of all credit, and as infinitely important, worthy of being consider... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now unto the King_, &c. A consideration of the great mercy which God had shown him, in not only pardoning him when he was involved in such great guilt, but in making him an example for the comfort of future penitents, causes him to break forth in a rapture of praise and thanksgiving; _eternal_ Whos... [ Continue Reading ]
_This charge_ To the Judaizers not to teach differently, or this office of the ministry; _I commit unto thee_ That thou mayest deliver it to the church; _according to_ Or, being encouraged by; _the prophecies which went before on thee_ He refers to some special revelations concerning Timothy, that h... [ Continue Reading ]