Because the law of Moses (Exo 21:2) did not allow Israelites to be made slaves for life, without their own consent, it seems the Judaizing teachers, with a view to allure slaves to their party, encouraged them in disobeying the commands, of their masters. This doctrine the apostle condemns here, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_If any man teach otherwise_ Than strict, practical holiness, in all its branches; _and consent not to wholesome words_ Υγιαινουσι λογοις, literally, _healing_, or _healthful words_, words that have no taint of falsehood, or tendency to encourage sin; _and the doctrine which is according to godlines... [ Continue Reading ]
_But godliness_ The genuine fear and love of God, and obedience to his will; _with contentment_ The inseparable companion of vital piety; _is great gain_ Brings unspeakable profit in time as well as in eternity, and indeed is the only true abiding gain; for all other gain is perishing. _For we broug... [ Continue Reading ]
_But thou, O man of God_ Whatever all the world else do; (a man of God is either a prophet, a messenger of God, or a man devoted to God, a man of another world;) _flee_ As from a serpent, instead of coveting _these things, and follow after righteousness_ Truth, justice, mercy, with all their proper... [ Continue Reading ]
_I give thee charge_, &c. See note on 1 Timothy 5:21; _in the sight_ In the presence; _of God_ Whose eye is upon us both; and _who quickeneth all things_ Who is the source of life, natural, spiritual, and eternal, and therefore is able to raise those from the dead that suffer for him: a suitable, th... [ Continue Reading ]
What follows seems to be a kind of postscript. _Charge them that are rich in this world_ Rich in such beggarly riches as this world affords. For the clause, εν τω νυν αιωνι, seems evidently to be added to extenuate the value of riches, which extend only to this transitory and precarious world, and c... [ Continue Reading ]
To conclude all: _O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust_ The original expression, την παρακαταθηκην φυλαξον, is, literally, _guard the deposite;_ namely, the purity of gospel doctrine, with the dispensation of which thou art intrusted; _avoiding profane and vain babblings_ See 1 Timot... [ Continue Reading ]