CHAPTER IV. _Apostasy from the true faith predicted, and in what that_ _apostasy should consist_, 1-5. _Exhortations to Timothy to teach the truth_, 6. _To avoid old wives' fables; to exercise himself to godliness_, 7, 8. _To labour, command, and teach_, 9, 10, 11. _To act so that none might... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Timothy 4:2. _SPEAKING LIES IN HYPOCRISY_] Persons pretending, not only to Divine inspiration, but also to extraordinary degrees of holiness, self-denial, mortification, c., in order to accredit the _lies_ and false doctrines which they taught. Multitudes of lies were framed concerning mira... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Timothy 4:3. _FORBIDDING TO MARRY_] These hypocritical priests pretending that a single life was much more favourable to devotion, and to the perfection of the Christian life. This sentiment was held by the _Essenes_, a religious sect among the Jews; and we know that it is a favourite opinio... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Timothy 4:4. _FOR EVERY CREATURE OF GOD_ IS _GOOD_] That is: Every creature which God has made for man's nourishment is good for that purpose, and to be thankfully received whenever necessary for the support of human life; and _nothing_ of that sort is at any time to be refused, ουδεν αποβλη... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Timothy 4:5. _FOR IT IS SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD OF GOD_] δια λογου θεου. _By the command of God_; probably referring to Genesis 1:29: _And God said, I have given you every herb-and every tree-to you it_ _shall be for meat_; and Genesis 9:3: _Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for yo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Timothy 4:6. _IF THOU PUT THE BRETHREN IN REMEMBRANCE OF THESE_ _THINGS_] Show the Church that, even now, there is danger of this apostasy; put them on their guard against it; for the forewarned are half armed. Schoettgen supposes from this verse that what is spoken above refers to the _Jews... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _BUT REFUSE PROFANE AND OLD WIVES' FABLES_] This seems to refer particularly to the _Jews_, whose Talmudical writings are stuffed with the most ridiculous and profane fables that ever disgraced the human intellect. It may with equal propriety be applied to the _legends_ of the Romish Church... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _FOR BODILY EXERCISE PROFITETH LITTLE_] Προς ολιγον εστιν ωφελιμος. Those gymnastic exercises, so highly esteemed among the Greeks, are but _little worth_; they are but of _short_ _duration_; they refer only to _this life_, and to the applause of men: but godliness has the promise of this l... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _THIS_ IS _A FAITHFUL SAYING_] The truth of this doctrine none need doubt; and every man has it in his power to put this to the proof. See note on 1 Timothy 1:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _FOR THEREFORE WE BOTH LABOUR_] This verse was necessary to explain what he had before said; and here he shows that his meaning was not that the followers of God should enjoy _worldly prosperity_ and _exemption from natural evils_; for, said he, it is because we exercise ourselves to godli... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _THESE THINGS COMMAND AND TEACH._] Let it be the sum and substance of thy preaching, that true _religion_ is profitable for both worlds; that _vice_ destroys both body and soul; that Christ tasted death for every man; and that he saves to the uttermost all them that believe in his name.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _LET NO MAN DESPISE THY YOUTH_] Act with all the _gravity_ and decorum which become thy situation in the Church. As thou art in the place of an _elder_, act as an _elder_. Boyish playfulness ill becomes a minister of the Gospel, whatever his age may be. Concerning Timothy's age see the con... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _GIVE ATTENDANCE TO READING_] Timothy could easily comprehend the apostle's meaning; but at present this is not so easy. What _books_ does the apostle mean? The books of the Old Testament were probably what he intended; these testified of Jesus, and by these he could either _convince_ or _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE_] The word χαρισμα here must refer to the _gifts_ and _graces_ of the _Divine_ _Spirit_, which Timothy received when set apart to the work of an evangelist by the imposition of _St. Paul's hands_, 2 Timothy 1:6, and by that of the _presbytery_ or _elde... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _MEDITATE UPON THESE THINGS_] ταυτα μελετα. Revolve them frequently in thy mind; consider deeply their nature and importance; get them deeply fastened in thy heart, and let all thy conduct flow from this inward feeling and conviction. Let the nature, reasons, and motives of thy ministry, b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Timothy 4:16. _TAKE HEED UNTO THYSELF_] See that the life of God remains and the work of God prospers in thine own soul. _Take_ _heed to thy doctrine_, that the matter be pure and orthodox; that thou teach nothing for truth but what God has revealed. _CONTINUE IN THEM_] i.e., In _taking he... [ Continue Reading ]