THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO 81. PAUL writes this Epistle to his BELOVED TIMOTHY, being then bishop of Ephesus, to instruct him in the duties of a bishop, both in respect to himself and to his charge; and that he ought to be well informed of the good morals of those on whom he was to impose hands: Impose not hands lightly upor any man. He tells him also how he should behave towards his clergy. This Epistle was written about thirty-three years after our Lord's Ascension, but where it was written is uncertain: the more general opinion is, that it was in Macedonia. CHAP. I. He puts Timothy in mind of his charge: and blesses God for the mercy he him self had received, PAUL an apostle of JESUS Christ, according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and of Christ JESUS our hope: 2 To Timothy his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ JESUS our Lord. 3 As I desired thee to remain at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some not to teach otherwise, 4 Nor to give heed to fables and genealogies without end: which minister questions rather than the edification of God which is in faith, 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity from a pure heart, and a good conseience, and an unfeigned faith. 6 From which things some going astray, are turned aside unto vain babbling: 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither the things they say, nor wherece they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully: 9 Knowing this, that the law was not made for the just man, but for the unjust and disobedient, for the ungodly, and for sinners, for the wicked and defiled, for murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers, for man-slayers, 10 For fornicators, for them who defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and &c. c Rom. 7. 12. CHAP. I. Ver. 9. The law is not, He means, that the just man compelled by the law; and merely for doth good, and avoideth evil, not as fear of the punishment appointed for transgressors; but voluntarily, and out of the love of God and virtue; a Acts 16. 1.-b Infra, 4. 7. 2 Tim, and would do so, though there were 8. 16. Titus 3. 9. no law. whatever other thing is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 Which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which hath been committed to my trust. CHAP. II. Prayers are to be said for all men: because God wills the salvation of all Women are not to teach. DESIRE therefore first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made by men, 12 I give him thanks, who hath strengthened me, even to Christ Jesus our Lord, for that 2 For kings, and for all that he hath counted me faithful, are in high stations: that we putting me in the ministry. may lead a quiet and a peaceable 13 Who before was a blas-life in all piety and chastity. phemer and a persecutor and contumelious. But I obtained the mercy of God, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 Now the grace of our Lord hath abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ JESUS. 15 A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ JESUS came into this world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief. 16 But for this cause have I obtained mercy: that in me first Christ JESUS might shew forth all patience, for the information of them that shall believe in him unto life everlasting. 17 Now to the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18 This precept I commend to thee, O son Timothy: according to the prophecies going before on thee, that thou war in them a good warfare. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Chris JESUS: 6 Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times. 7 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle (I say the truth, I lie not) a doctor of the gentiles in faith and truth. 8 I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up contention. pure hands without anger and 9 In like manner women also in decent apparel: adorning b 1 Pet. 3. 3. CHAP. II. Ver. 5. One mediator. Christ is the one and only mediator of redemption; who gave himself, as the apostle writes in the following verse, 19 Having faith and a good redemption for all. He is also the conscience, which some reject-only mediator, who stands in need of ing have made shipwreck concerning the faith. 20 Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered up to satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. a Matt. 9. 13. Mark 2. 17. no other to recommend his petitions to the Father. But this is not against our seeking the prayers and intercession, as well of the faithful upon earth, as of the saints and angels in heaven, for obtaining mercy, grace, and salva tion through Jesus Christ. And St. Paul himself often desired the help of the prayers of the faithful, without any injury to the mediatorship of Jesus Christ. CHAP. III. Ver. 2. Of one wife. The meaning is not that every bishop should have a wife (for St. Paul himself had none,) but that no one should be admitted to the holy orders of bishop, priest, or deacon, who had been martied more than once. 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all chastity. 5 But if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? 6 Not a neophyte: lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the judgment of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony of them who are without: lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Deacons in like manner chaste, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre: 9 Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved and so let them minis. ter, having no crime. 11 The women in like manner chaste, not slanderers, but sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife: who rule well their children, and their own houses. 13 For they that have ministered well, shall purchase to themselves a good degree, and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ JESUS. 14 These things I write to thee, hoping that I shall come to thee shortly. 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Ver. 6. A neophyte. That is, one lately baptized, a young convert. Ver. 15. The pillar and ground of the truth. Therefore the church of the living God can never uphold error, nor bring in corruption, superstition, or idolatry. CHAP. IV. Ver. 3. Forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, &c. He speaks of the Gnostics, the Marcionites, the Encratites, the Manicheans, and ether ancient heretics, who absolutely condemned marriage, and the use of all kind of meat: because they pretended that all flesh was from an evil principle. Whereas the church of God, so far from condemning marriage, holds it a holy sacrament; and forbids it to none but such as by vow have chosen the better part: and prohibits not the use of any meats what soever in proper times and seasons; though she does not judge all kind of diet proper for days of fasting and penance, 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 These things proposing to the brethren, thou shalt be good minister of Christ JESUS, nourished up in the words of faith, and of the good doctrine. which thou hast attained unto. 7 But avoid foolish and old wives' fables: and exercise thyself unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise is profitable to little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. thy of all acceptation. 9 A faithful saying and wor 10 For therefore we labour and are reviled because we hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of the faithful. CHAP. V. He gives him lessons concerning widows: and how he is to behave to his clergy. AN ancient man rebuke not: but entreat him as a father: young men, as brethren. 2 Old women, as mothers: young women, as sisters, in all chastity. 3 Honour widows, that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children, or grandchildren; let her learn first to govern her own house, and to make a return of duty to her parents: for this is acceptable before God. 5 But she that is a widow indeed and desolate, let her trust in God, and continue in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 For she that liveth in pleasures, is dead while she is. while she is living. 7 And this give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9 Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband, 10 Having testimony for her good works, if she have brought up children, if she have received to harbour, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have ministered to them that suffer tribulation, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11 But the younger widows avoid. For when they have grown wanton in Christ, they will marry: 12 Having damnation, because they have måde void their first faith. 13 And withal being idle they learn to go about from house to house: and are not only idle, but tattlers also, and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger should marry, bear children, be mistresses of families, give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil. 15 For some are already turned aside after satan. 16 If any of the faithful have widows, let him minister to them, and let not the church be charged: that there may be sufficient for them that are widows indeed. 17 Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine, 18 For the scripture saith: a Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and the labourer is worthy of his reward. 19 Against a priest receive not an accusation, but under two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin reprove before all: that the rest also may have fear. 21 I charge thee before God, and Christ JESUS, and the elect angels, that thou observe these. things without prejudice, doing nothing by declining to either side. a Deut. 25. 4. 1 Cor. 9. 9.-b Matt 10. 10. Luke 10. 7. Their vow, by which they had engaged CHAP. V. Ver. 12. Their first faith. themselves to Christ. |