_Now the Spirit_ By calling the Christian Church, in the end of the preceding chapter, _the pillar and support of the truth_, the apostle taught, that one of the important purposes for which that great spiritual building was reared, was to preserve the knowledge and practice of true religion in the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Speaking lies in hypocrisy_ Greek, εν υποκρισει ψευδολογων, _by the hypocrisy of them that speak lies._ This is a more literal, and at the same time a more just translation of the words than that given in our Bible, which represents the demons as speaking lies in hypocrisy, which could not be the a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Forbidding to marry_ The same hypocritical liars, who should promote the worship of demons, should also prohibit lawful marriage. This false morality was very early introduced into the church, being taught first by the Encratites and Marcionites, and afterward by the Manicheans, who said marriage w... [ Continue Reading ]
_If thou put the brethren in remembrance_, &c. Ταυτα υποτιθεμενος τοις αδελφοις, _suggesting these things to the brethren_, concerning the lawfulness of all sorts of meats, and concerning the corrupt doctrines and practices which are to arise in the church; _thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
_For bodily exercise profiteth little_ That is, say Estius, Whitby, Doddridge, and some others, the exercises about which many are so solicitous, and in the pursuit of which they go through so many fatigues, namely, in preparing for and attending the public games, are but of little use, the best rew... [ Continue Reading ]
_This_ Concerning the advantage of godliness; _is a faithful saying_ A saying as important as it is true; _and worthy of all acceptation _ That is, of entire credit, and of the most earnest and continued attention and regard. _For, therefore_ On this account, because we are assured of the excellence... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let no man despise thy youth_ That is, let no one have reason to despise it, but conduct thyself with such gravity, wisdom, and steadiness, as, instead of exposing thee to contempt, will rather gain thee respect and reverence. In particular, _be thou an example of the believers_ A pattern worthy of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neglect not_ Through omitting to exercise it to the full; _the gift that is in thee_ The word χαρισμα, here used, commonly denotes some spiritual gift conferred on believers in the first age, whether by an immediate effusion of the Holy Spirit, or by means of the imposition of the apostle's hands.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Meditate on these things_ On the instructions I have given thee, or the things mentioned 1 Timothy 4:13. True meditation implies the lively exercise of faith, hope, love, joy, as it were melted down together by the fire of God's Holy Spirit, and offered up to God in secret. _Give thyself wholly to... [ Continue Reading ]