II. (1) I EXHORT THEREFORE. — Now Timothy was to begin to carry out his master St. Paul’s great charge — the charge which bade him teach all men to put their entire, their perfect, trust in the Saviour of sinners — by instructing the Church of Ephesus, in the first place, to pray constantly for all... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR KINGS, AND FOR ALL THAT ARE IN AUTHORITY. — Without any special reference to the Roman emperors, the expression simply directs that prayer should be offered in all Christian congregations for the supreme authorities of the Roman empire, and especially of that particular province in which the chu... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE. — That prayer be offered for all sorts and conditions of men is good and acceptable before God. IN THE SIGHT OF GOD OUR SAVIOUR. — Here, as in 1 Timothy 1:1, this title of “Saviour” is given to the Father, and is in this place singularly applicable, as it immediatel... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, AND TO COME UNTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. — Here St. Paul gives some explanation of his exhortation, that “the congregation should pray for all men.” Our prayers after all — for those far off, as well as for those near — will be in strict harmony with the will o... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THERE IS ONE GOD, AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS. — “_For.”_ This gives the reason why it is good and well-pleasing in the sight of God that Christians should pray for all — for there is one Saviour, God the Father, who wills that all should be saved, and there is one... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO GAVE HIMSELF A RANSOM FOR ALL. — The declaration (of 1 Timothy 2:5) that there was one God for fallen man would have been scarcely a joyful proclamation had it not been immediately followed by the announcement that between that one God and sinning man there was a mediator, Now (in 1 Timothy 2:6)... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREUNTO I AM ORDAINED A PREACHER, AND AN APOSTLE... — Whereunto, or “for which witness.” To announce which witness — the witness being the suffering and the death of Christ — St. Paul was ordained an Apostle — the reference being entirely to what preceded. I SPEAK THE TRUTH... AND LIE NOT. — The w... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL THEREFORE. — The Apostle here again turns to the subject of “public prayer,” now giving directions respecting the persons who should offer their prayers, and also telling them how these public requests to God should be made. “I will therefore” expresses on St. Paul’s part no mere wish or desi... [ Continue Reading ]
IN LIKE MANNER ALSO, THAT WOMEN. — The Apostle continues his official injunctions in reference to public prayer. “Likewise,” he goes on to say, “I desire that women, when they pray” — women also in the congregation had their duties as well as the men — while the latter were directed to conduct and l... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT (WHICH BECOMETH WOMEN PROFESSING GODLINESS) WITH GOOD WORKS. — That is to say, “Let them adorn themselves in that which is befitting women who profess godliness — viz., in good works.” The Apostle, still speaking of women’s true part in public divine service — urges that their _works_ should be... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE WOMAN LEARN IN SILENCE. — The thought of public ministration is still in the Apostle’s mind, when he gives this injunction. The very questioning on difficult points is forbidden them at the public assembly (1 Corinthians 14:35). So averse was St. Paul to anything which might mar the quiet so... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I SUFFER NOT A WOMAN TO TEACH, NOR TO USURP AUTHORITY OVER THE MAN, BUT TO BE IN SILENCE. — The whole purpose of these weighty admonitions of the great founder of the Gentile Churches relegates Christian women to their own legitimate sphere of action and influence — the quiet of their own homes.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ADAM WAS FIRST FORMED, THEN EVE. — The Holy Spirit seems often (comp. especially Galatians 3:16 and following verses, and 4:22 and following verses, and 1 Corinthians 10:1) to have moved St. Paul to weave into the tapestry of his arguments and exhortations to the different churches, facts and pr... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ADAM WAS NOT DECEIVED. — Priority in creation was the ground alleged by St. Paul as the reason why the woman was never to exercise authority over man, the eldest born of God. “Adam was not deceived;” the Apostle now refers to the general basis of his direction respecting the exclusion of women f... [ Continue Reading ]
NOTWITHSTANDING SHE SHALL BE SAVED IN CHILDBEARING. — The last words are more accurately and forcibly rendered — _through the childbearing._ With that tender and winning courtesy to which, no doubt, humanly speaking, the great missionary owes so much of his vast influence over human hearts, St. Paul... [ Continue Reading ]