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Timothy exhorted to diligence,

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12 Let no man despise thy youth; || laying on of the hands of the pres- A. M. 4069. but a be thou an example of the be- bytery. lievers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to all. to exhortation, to doctrine.

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16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto thy doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Chap. v. 22; 2 Tim. i. 6. Or, in all things.- Le Acts xx. 28. || Ezek. xxxiii. 9.- Rom. xi. 14; 1 Cor. ix. 22; James v. 20.

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men-Saving them from many evils, and supplyingcise it to the full; the gift that is in thee—The word them with manifold mercies; preserving them in this xapioua, here used, commonly denotes some spiritual life, and willing to save them eternally; but espe- gift conferred on believers in the first age, whether cially-In a more eminent manner, is he the Saviour by an immediate effusion of the Holy Spirit, or by of those that believe-Saving them from their sins means of the imposition of the apostle's hands. See here, and from the consequences of them hereafter. Rom. i. 10. By this it appears, that even the miraThese things command and teach-For they are of culous gifts might be improved; and that the coninfinite importance. tinuance of them with individuals depended in a Verses 12, 13. Let no man despise thy youth-That great measure upon the right temper of their minds, is, let no one have reason to despise it, but conduct and upon their making a proper use of their gifts. thyself with such gravity, wisdom, and steadiness, Which was given thee by prophecy-By immediate as, instead of exposing thee to contempt, will rather direction from God, or in consequence of predictions gain thee respect and reverence. In particular, be uttered by those who had the gift of prophecy, thou an example of the believers-A pattern worthy pointing thee out as a person fit to be invested with of their imitation; in word-In prudent and edifying the office of an evangelist, and called of God to it. discourse, whether public or private; in conversa- As it appears, from 2 Tim. i. 6, that the gift here retion—Greek, avaspoon, in behaviour; in charity-Or|| ferred to was given to Timothy by the laying on of love, rather, namely to God, his people, and all man- the apostle's hands, we learn from hence, that in kind; in spirit-In thy whole temper; in faith-In conferring the spiritual gifts, as well as in working thy sincere and constant belief of, and adherence to, miracles, the apostles were not left to their own pruthe truth as it is in Jesus; in thy profession of it, and || dence, but were directed by revelations from God, faithfulness to thy trust in the execution of thy communicated to themselves or others. With the office. When faith is placed in the midst of several laying on of the hands of the presbytery-Whose other Christian graces, it generally means fidelity,|| hands, with those of Paul, were laid on Timothy at or faithfulness; in purity-Of heart and life. Till 1 the time when he was set apart solemnly by prayer come-To take thee along with me; give attendance to the office of the ministry, and received the spiritto reading-Both publicly and privately. Study ual gift here spoken of. Probably the apostle first the Scriptures diligently, and read and expound them conferred on Timothy the gift by the laying on of to the people, whose instructer thou art appointed to his own hands, and then set him apart to his office be. "Enthusiasts, observe this! expect no end by prayer, the elders joining with him, and laying without the means."-Wesley. "Besides reading on their hands to show their concurrence with him the Jewish Scriptures to the brethren in their assem- in the solemn work. blies for worship, after the example of the synagogue, Timothy was here directed to read these Scriptures in private likewise for his own improvement, (verse 15,) that he might be able to confute the Jews and Judaizers, who founded their errors on misinterpretations of them. Thus understood, the direction, as the ancient commentators observe, is a useful lesson to the ministers of the gospel in all ages. For if a teacher, who possessed the spiritual gifts, was company, in other studies, in collecting books, shells, manded to read the Scriptures for improving himself in the knowledge of the doctrines of religion, how much more necessary is that help to those teachers who must derive all their knowledge of the gospel from the Scriptures, and who cannot, without much study, be supposed to know the customs, manners, and opinions alluded to in these writings."Macknight.

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Verses 15, 16. Meditate on these things-On the instructions I have given thee, or the things mentioned verse 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 them-On this passage Bengelius writes, He that is wholly in these things, will be little in worldly com

coins, wherein many pastors consume a considerable part of their lives. That thy profiling-Thy proficiency in knowledge and wisdom, holiness and usefulness; may appear unto all-To their edificaand the honour of the gospel. Take heed unto thyself-To the state of thy own soul, thy growth in grace, the motives of thy actions, and thy whole spirit and conduct; and to thy doctrine-That it be

Verse 14. Neglect not-Through omitting to exer- true, important, and adapted to the state and charac

Directions concerning behaviour

I. TIMOTHY.

toward elders and women.

ter of thy hearers. Continue in them—In attention || will give satisfactory proof of the reality of their to all the preceding advices, and especially in this faith and love, and the sincerity of their obediligent care respecting both thy life and doctrine.dience, and, persevering in this way, will save For in doing this--With zeal, constancy, and perse-themselves eternally. In the mean time by their verance; thou shalt both save thyself and those that sound doctrine, and, edifying example, they will hear thee-What a powerful argument is here sug- impress their hearers with such a just sense of the gested to engage ministers to preach the doctrines truth and excellence of Christianity, as to induce of the gospel with truth, zeal, fidelity, and diligence, them also to believe and obey the gospel, so that and to set a proper example before their hearers! they likewise will be saved in the day of the Lord By thus faithfully discharging their duty, they Jesus.

CHAPTER V.

This chapter contains directions for Timothy's conduct toward persons in different circumstances, and particularly clders and widows. He shows (1,) How he was to reprove others, elder and younger, 1, 2. (2,) How he was to behave toward poor widows, 3–8. (3,) What widows were proper to be taken under the church's care, or to receive her liberality, and who not, 9-16. (4,) He regulates the honour due to elders, who ruled in the church, 17-19. (5,) Prescribes the greatest care and impartiality in rebuking offenders, and in ordaining elders; and the necessary care of health, 20–25.

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Verses 3, 4. Honour-And endeavour honourably to support from the public stock; widows-Whose destitute circumstances recommend them as the certain objects of charity. According to the Greek commentators, the widows of whom the apostle speaks in this passage were aged women appointed by the church to instruct the young of their own sex in the principles of the Christian faith, and who, for that service, were maintained out of the funds of the church. This opinion is rendered probable by the apostle's order to Timothy, (verse 9,) to admit

NOTES ON CHAPTER V. Verses 1, 2. Because it is the duty of ministers to reprove such of their people as err in principle or practice, and because the success of reproof depends, in a great measure, upon the manner in which it is given, the apostle here proceeds to direct Timothy in that important branch of his office. Rebuke not— Or rather, rebuke not severely, the phrase, un eñɩAnEns, literally signifying, do not strike, and metaphorically, do not sharply reprove; an elder-Or aged man, as the word πрɛσbνтɛрw here evidently signifies, being opposed to vεwrepes, the younger, in the follow-none into the number of widows without inquiring ing clause. So that it is not the name of an office, into their age, circumstances, character, and qualifias it is verses 17, 19, but denotes simply one in ad- cations, even as in ordaining bishops and deacons ; vanced age; but entreat him as a father-Or as who are widows indeed-Really such; that is, who thou wouldst thy father in the like case; and the are desolate, and neither able to maintain themselves, younger men-Who sin; as brethren-As if they were nor have any near relations to provide for them, thy own brothers; that is, with kindness and affec- and who are wholly devoted to God. But if any tion, and not with a lordly, domineering contempt. || widow have children-Able to provide for her; or The elder women as mothers—With respect and de- nephews--Rather grand-children, as ɛkyova signifies; ference; and the younger as sisters, with all purity || let them learn--Their children or descendants; first to -With the strictest decorum in thy converse with show piety at home--Before the church be burdened them, and distance from every thing, in word or with them; and to requite their parents—For all their deed, that could have the least appearance of levity former care, trouble, and expense; for that is good— and wantonness, remembering how many eyes are Kahov, decent, fair, and amiable, in the eyes of men; upon thee, and how fatal any thing in thy conduct, and acceptable before God-Who requires us, out which might bring the least blemish upon thy cha- of regard to his honour and favour, to attend careracter, would be to the honour and success of thy fully to the duties of those relations in which we ministry, and to the credit of the gospel and its pro- stand to each other. fessors.

Verses 5-7. Now she who is a widow indeed

Concerning widows to be

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6 h But she that liveth in pleasure, || ber under threescore years old, hav- A. M. 4069.
is dead while she liveth.
ing been the wife of one man,

7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

8 But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own 3 house, 'he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. || 9 Let not a widow be taken into the num

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10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have P washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

11 But the younger widows refuse for when

Matt. xviii. 17.— Or, chosen.— 4 - Luke ii. 36; Ch. iii. 2. Acts xvi. 15; Heb. xiii. 2; 1 Pet. iv. 9.————P Gen. xviii. 4 ; xix. 2; Luke vii. 38, 44; John xiii. 5, 14.

Verses 9, 10. Let not a widow be taken into the

Deprived of all support from her relations and up money for our children, for which it is often so friends. The apostle seems to allude to the signifi- || impertinently alleged? But all men have their reacation of the word xnpa, rendered widow, which sons for laying up money; one will go to hell for fear comes from xpoç, orbus, desertus, a person destitute, || of want, another acts like a heathen, lest he should forsaken: and desolate-Meμovwμevn, reduced to soli-be worse than an infidel !”—Wesley. tude, having neither children nor grand-children to relieve her; trusteth in God-Having no one else to || number-Karaλeyeodw, taken upon the list of those trust in; and continueth in supplications and pray- who are to be maintained by the church, and to aters, &c.-Devotes herself wholly to the service of tend upon the sick poor, and teach the young; under God, spending a great part of her time by day and || threescore years old-It might, on many accounts, night in devotion. But she who liveth in pleasure and for very obvious reasons, be proper that this -Delicately, voluptuously, in elegant regular sen- office should be committed only to persons of an suality, though not in the use of any such pleasures advanced age, and such as laid aside all thoughts of as are unlawful in themselves. The original word marrying again. Having been-Neither a harlot σлаτаλwσα, properly signifies, faring deliciously; is nor a concubine; but the wife of one man—At a dead while she liveth-Both in respect of God, whom time; or having chastely confined herself to one husshe does not serve, and in respect of her fellow-band while in the married relation, and not divorced creatures, whom she does not benefit. She is spirit-him and married another. See note on chap. iii. 2. ually dead, dead to true piety and virtue. These Well reported of for good works-Of different things give in charge--For they are things which kinds; if she have brought up children-Religiously concern Christians in all circumstances and relations and virtuously, her own, or others who had been of life, who are too ready to seek happiness in the committed to her care; if, in her more prosperous pursuit of sensual pleasure; that they may be blame-days, she manifested a generous and hospitable disless-The gender of the word here rendered blame-position; and lodged Christian strangers-Who less shows that the Ephesian brethren, not the widows, were the persons to whom Timothy was to give these things in charge. Probably either the deacons, or Timothy's hearers in general, were intended. Indeed, in so luxurious a city as Ephesus, widows could not be the only persons who were in danger of falling into such sensualities as the apostle had been warning them against.

Verse 8. If any provide not-Food and raiment; for his own-Poor relations; and especially those of his own house-Twv oikeiv, his own domestics, those relations who live in his own family, and consequently are under his eye; he hath denied the faith || -Namely, by such a practice, which is utterly inconsistent with Christianity, which does not destroy, but perfects natural duties. Here we see, to disobey the precepts of the gospel, is to deny or renounce the faith of the gospel; from whence we infer, that the faith of the gospel includes obedience to its precepts; and is worse than an infidel-Dr. Whitby shows here, by very apposite citations, that the heathen were sensible of the reasonableness and necessity of taking care of their near relations, and especially of their parents, when reduced to poverty and want. But "what has this to do with heaping

were at a loss for necessary accommodations on their journeys; if she have washed the saints' feet—Has been ready to do the meanest offices for them; if || she have relieved the afflicted-This, and some of the other good works mentioned by the apostle, being attended with great expense, the Door widows, who desired to be taken into the number, cannot be supposed to have performed them at their own charges. "I therefore suppose," says Macknight, "the apostle is speaking of female deacons, who had been employed in the offices here mentioned at the common expense; consequently the meaning of the direction will be, that in choosing widows, Timothy was to prefer those who formerly had been employed by the church as deaconesses, and had discharged that office with faithfulness and propriety. For since these women had spent the prime of their life in the laborious offices of love mentioned by the apostle, without receiving any recompense but maintenance, it was highly reasonable, when grown old in that good service, to promote them to an honourable function, which required knowledge and experience rather than bodily strength, and which was rewarded with a liberal maintenance."

Verses 11-13. But the younger widows refuse

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16 If any man or woman that believeth have
widows, let them relieve them, and let not the
church be charged; that it may relieve them
that are widows indeed.

17 "Let the elders that rule well, *be counted
worthy of double honour, especially they who
labour in the word and doctrine.

18 For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not

14 'I will therefore that the younger women
marry, bear children, guide the house, give
none occasion to the adversary 5 to speak re-muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And,
proachfully.

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"The labourer is worthy of his reward.

13; Heb. xiii. 7, 17.- Acts xxviii. 10.- Deut. xxv. 4.
1 Cor. ix. 9. z Lev. xix. 13; Deut. xxiv. 14, 15; Matt. x.
10; Luke x. 7.

Do not choose; for when they have begun to wax the apostle is here speaking,) marry-Instead of
wanton against Christ-To whose more immediate thinking to intrude themselves into a situation for
service they had devoted themselves; they will which they are generally so unfit. From this com
marry—And, perhaps, to husbands who are strangers mand it is evident, that under the gospel second
to Christianity, or at least not with a single eye to marriages are lawful both to men and women, and
the glory of God, and so withdraw themselves from that abstaining from them is no mark of superior
that service of Christ in the church which they were piety. It is true the apostle, in his first epistle to
before engaged in. On the word karaspпviaowσi, the Corinthians, advised all who had the gift of con
rendered to wax wanton, Erasmus remarks, that it tinency to remain unmarried; not, however, because
comes from repew, to pull away, and nvia, reins, celibacy is a more holy state than marriage, but
and that the metaphor is taken from high-fed brute because in the then persecuted state of the church, a
animals, which, having pulled away the reins, run single life was more free from trouble and tempta-
about at their pleasure. Le Clerc and some others tion. See 1 Cor. vii. 9, 26, 32-39. Give no occa-
translate the clause, who do not obey the rein. The sion to the adversary, &c.—To reproach the gospel
apostle plainly means, that the younger widows, on account of the bad behaviour of those who pro-
who had undertaken the office of teaching the young fess it. For some widows have already turned
of their own sex, not being willing to continue under aside after Satan-Who has drawn them from
that restraint from marriage which they had laid on || Christ. He means that some of the widows em-
themselves by devoting themselves to the service of ployed by the church as teachers, had, through the
Christ, and which the nature of their office required, temptations of Satan, deserted their station in the
would marry, and desert his service. Having dam-church, and, by marrying, incapacitated themselves
nation-Condemnation rather, both from God and for continuing in the excellent office they had en-
men; because they have cast off their first faith-gaged in. If any man or woman that believeth
Have deserted their trust in God, and have acted con- have poor widows-Nearly related to them; let them
trary to their first conviction, namely, that wholly to relieve them-If they are able; and let not the church
devote themselves to his service was the most excel-be charged-Or burdened, with maintaining them;
lent way; for their first faith here means that faith- that it may relieve them that are widows indeed—
fulness to Christ which they had virtually plighted,|| That have no friends able to support them, and who,
when they took on them the office of teaching the if the church did not grant them aid, would be en-
younger women; for by marrying they put it out of tirely destitute.
their power to perform that office with the attention
and assiduity which it required. And withal they
learn to be idle-Slothful and negligent in the office
they have undertaken, and instead of attending to
the proper duty of their charge, wandering about,
&c.; tattlers also-Greek, pλvapoi, triflers, foolish
talkers, or tale-bearers; a vice to which women, who
go about from house to house, are commonly much
addicted; busy-bodies-Concerning themselves un-
necessarily and impertinently in the affairs of others;
speaking things which they ought not-Things very
unbecoming.

Verses 14-16. I will therefore that the younger
women-Or widows rather, (concerning whom only |

Verses 17, 18. Let the elders that rule well--
Who approve themselves faithful stewards of all that
is committed to their charge; be counted worthy of
double honour-A more abundant provision, seeing
that such will employ it all to the glory of God. As
they were the most laborious and disinterested
men who were put into these offices, so, whatever
any one had to bestow, in his life or death, was
generally lodged in their hands for the poor. By
this means the churchmen became very rich in
after ages. But as the design of the donors was the
general good, there was the highest reason why it
should be disposed of according to their pious intent.
Especially they who labour-Diligently and pain-

Paul's advice

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CHAPTER VI.

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to Timothy. 19 Against an elder receive not an || ther be partaker of other men's sins: A. M. 4069. accusation, but before a two or three keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine often others also may fear. infirmities.

witnesses.

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24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment: and some men they follow after.

21 I charge thee before God, and the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels,
that thou observe these things without pre-
ferring one before another, doing nothing by
partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, fnei- wise cannot be hid.

Or, under. a Deut. xix. 15.——b Gal. ii. 11, 14; Tit. i. 13.
Deut. xiii. 11. Chap. vi. 13; 2 Tim. ii. 14; iv. 1.

25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are other

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Or, without prejudice. Acts vi. 6; xiii. 3;
2 Tim. i. 6.2 John 11.- Psa. civ. 15.-

Chapter iv. 14, h Gal. v. 19.

fully; in the word and doctrine--That is, in preach- || no man-That is, appoint no man to church offices ing and teaching. For the Scripture saith, &c.—without full trial and examination: otherwise thou See on 1 Cor. ix. 9.

wilt be accessary to, and accountable for, his misbehaviour in his office. Neither be partaker of other men's sins—As thou wilt certainly make thyself, if thou be the means of bringing those into the ministry whom thou mightest have discovered to be unfit for that office. Keep thyself pure-Free from all such blameworthy practices, and from the blood of all men. Some men's sins are open-Or manifest; beforehand-Before any strict inquiry be made; going before to judgment-Leading a person immediately to judge them unworthy of any spiritual office; and some men they--Their sins; fol

Verses 19, 20. Against an elder-Or presbyter; do not even receive an accusation-Unless it is offered to be proved by two or three credible witnesses-By the Mosaic law a private person might be cited (though not condemned) on the testimony of one witness. But St. Paul forbids an elder to be even cited on such evidence, his reputation being of more importance than that of others. Them that sin-Namely, openly and scandalously, and are duly convicted; rebuke before all the church, that others also may fear-To commit the like offences. Verse 21. I charge thee before God, &c.-Helow after inquiry has been made-Or are not discorefers to the last judgment, in which we shall stand vered perhaps till after their ordination. For which before God, and Christ, and his elect―That is, holy, reason no one ought to be appointed to sacred offices angels-Who are the witnesses of our conversation. hastily. Likewise the good works-And good quaThe apostle looks through his own labours, and even lities; of some are manifest beforehand-Before through time itself, and seems to stand as one already any particular inquiry be made; they are evident in eternity; that thou observe these things without to all. Such therefore may be admitted to sacred preferring, &c.-Iрокparos, prejudging. The word offices without much examination; and they―Those signifies a judgment formed before the matter judged || good works and good qualities; that are otherwise— hath been duly examined; doing nothing by par- || That remain concealed under the veils that humility tiality-For or against any one; Greek, κата проo- spreads over them; cannot be entirely hid long-From Khow, literally, a leaning to one side, through favour thy knowledge, and must recommend such silent arising from private friendship or affection. and reserved Christians both to thy esteem, and that of those who are intimately acquainted with them.

Ver. 22-25. Lay hands suddenly-And rashly; on

CHAPTER VI.

The apostle (1,) Prescribes the duty of servants toward their masters, whether believing or not, and charges Timothy to insist on it, in opposition to the Judaizing teachers, who perverted the gospel, 1–5. (2,) He shows the advantage of godliness with contentment, and the miserable consequences of indulging a covetous pursuit of riches, 6-10; and inculcates upon Timothy the duty of avoiding worldly-mindedness, and following after piety and virtue, 11, 12. (3,) He solemnly charges him to adhere faithfully to the directions he had given him, and to admonish rich men how to use their wealth, 13–21. b 441

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