9 use it lawfully. Knowing this, that the law doth not lie against a righteous man; but against the lawless and disobedient, against the ungodly and sinners, the unholy and profane, against killers of their fathers or their 10 mothers, against murderers, Against whoremongers, sodomites, man-stealers, liars, perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to wholesome 11 doctrine, According to the glorious gospel of the blessed 12 God, with which I am intrusted. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, in that he accounted me faithful, having put me into the ministry, 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and an oppressor; but I obtained mercy, because I did it igno14 rantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with faith and love which is in 15 Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save 16 sinners, of whom I am chief. Yet for this cause I obtained mercy, that on me the chief, Jesus Christ might shew all long-suffering, for a pattern to them, who should and of admirable use, both to convince unbelievers, and to guide believers in all holiness. V. 9. The law doth not lie against a righteous man-Doth not strike or condemn him; but against the lawless and disobedient-They who despise the authority of the lawgiver, violate the first commandment, which is the foundation of the law, and the ground of all obedience; against the ungodly and sinners Who break the second commandment, worshipping idols, or not worshipping the true God; the unholy and profane-Who break the third commandment, by taking his name in vain. V. 10. Man stealers-The worst of all thieves, in comparison of whom highwaymen and house-breakers are innocent! What, then, are most traders in Negroes, procurers of servants for America, and all who list soldiers by lies, tricks, or enticements? V. 11. According to the glorious gospel-Which, far from making void, does effectually establish the law. V. 12. I thank Christ-who hath enabled me, in that he accounted me faithful, having put me into the ministry-The meaning is, I thank him for putting me into the ministry, and enabling me to be faithful therein. V. 13. A blasphemer-Of Christ; a persecutor-Of his church; a reviler→ Of his doctrine and people. But I obtained mercy-He does not say, Because I was unconditionally elected, but because I did it in ignorance. Not that his ignorance took away his sin; but it left him capable of mercy, which he would hardly have been, had he acted thus, contrary to his own conviction. V. 14. And the grace-Whereby I obtained mercy, was exceeding abundant, with faith-Opposite to my preceding unbelief; and love-Opposite to my blasphemy, persecution, and oppression. V. 15. This is a faithful saying-A most solemn preface; and worthy of all acceptation-Well deserving to be accepted, received, embraced, with all the faculties of our whole soul, that Christ-Promised, Jesus-Exhibited, came into the world to save sinners-All sinners, without exception. V. 16. For this cause God shewed me mercy, that all his long-suffering might be shewn, and that none might hereafter despair. 17 hereafter believe in him to life everlasting. Now to the king of eternity, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18 This charge commit to thee, son Timotheus, according to the prophecies which went before concerning thee, 19 that thou mightest by them war the good warfare; Holding fast faith and a good conscience; which some having 20 thrust away, have made shipwreck of their faith: Of whom are Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. CHAP. II. 1. I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be 2 made for all men: For kings and all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all god3 liness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in V. 17. The king of eternity-A phrase frequent with the Hebrews. How unspeakably sweet is the thought of eternity to believers! V. 18. This charge I commit to thee-That thou mayest deliver it to the church, according to the prophecies concerning thee-Uttered when thou wast received as an evangelist, chap. iv. 14, probably by many persons, chap. vi. 12, that being encouraged by them, thou mightest war the good warfare. V. 19. Holding fast faith-Which is as a most precious liquor, and a good Conscience-Which is as a clean glass; which-Namely, a good conscience, some having thrust away—It goes away unwillingly. It always says, Do not hurt me.' And they who retain this, do not make shipwreck of their faith. Indeed, none can make shipwreck of faith, who never had it. These, therefore, were once true believers. Yet they fell, not only foully, but finally. For ships, once wrecked, cannot be afterwards saved. V. 20. Whom Though absent, I have delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme-That by what they suffer they may be, in some measure, restrained, if they will not repent. CHAP. II. Ver. 1. I exhort thereforé-Seeing God is so gracious. In this chapter he gives directions, 1. With regard to public prayers. 2. With regard to doctrine. Supplication is here, the imploring help in time of need: Prayer is, any kind of offering up our desires to God. But true prayer is the vehemency of holy zeal, the ardour of divine love, arising from a calm, undisturbed soul, moved upon by the Spirit of God. Intercession is prayers for others. We may likewise give thanks for all men, in the full sense of the word, for that God willeth all men to be saved, and Christ is the Mediator of all. V. 2. For all that are in authority-Seeing even the lowest country magistrates frequently do much good, or much harm. God supports the power of magistracy for the sake of his own people, when, in the present state of men, it could not otherwise be kept up in any nation whatever. Godliness-Inward religion; the true worship of God. Honesty-A comprehensive word, taking in the whole duty we owe to our neighbour. V. 3. For this-That we pray for all men. Do you ask, Why are not more converted? We do not pray enough: is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour-Who has actually saved us that believe, and willeth all men to be saved. It is strange that any, whom he has actually saved, should doubt the universality of his grace! 4 the sight of God our Saviour. Who willeth all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, one mediator also between God 6 and man, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave himself 7 a ransom for all, to be testified of in due season, Whereunto I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, (I speak the truth, I lie not,) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith 8 and truth. I will, therefore, that men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting: 9 Likewise that women adorn themselves in decent apparel, with modesty and sobriety, not with curled hair, or gold, 10 or pearls, or costly raiment, But (which becometh women 11 professing godliness) with good works. Let a woman 12 learn in silence with all subjection. For I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, 13 but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then V. 4. Who willeth seriously all men-Not a part only, much less the smallest part, to be saved-Eternally. This is treated of, ver. 5, 6. And, in order thereto, to come-(They are not compelled,) to the knowledge of the truthWhich brings salvation. This is treated of, ver. 6, 7. V. 5. For-The 4th verse is proved by the 5th, the 1st by the 4th. There is one God-And they who have not him, through the one Mediator, have no God; one Mediator also-We could not rejoice that there is a God, were there not a Mediator also; one who stands between God and men, to reconcile man to God, and to transact the whole affair of our salvation. This excludes all other Mediators, as saints and angels, whom the papists set up and idolatrously worship as such just as the heathens of old set up many mediators, to pacify their superior gods; the man-Therefore all men are to apply to this Mediator, who gave himself for all. : V. 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all—Such a ransom, the word signifies, wherein a like or equal is given, as an eye for an eye, or life for life. And this ransom, from the dignity of the person redeeming, was more than equivalent to all mankind; to be testified in due season-Literally, la his own seasons, those chosen by his own wisdom. V. s. I will-A word strongly expressing his apostolical authority; therefore -This particle connects the 8th with the 1st verse; that men pray in every place-Public and private. Wherever men are, there prayer should be; lifting up holy hands-Pure from all known sin, without wrath-In any kind, against any creature. And every temper or motion of our soul, that is not according to love, is wrath; and doubting-Which is contrary to faith. And wrath, or unholy actions, or want of faith in him we call upon, are the three grand hindrances of God's hearing our petitions. Christianity consists of faith and love embracing truth and grace. Therefore the sum of our wishes should be, to pray, and live, and die, without any wrath or doubt. V. g. With sobriety-Which (in St. Paul's sense) is the virtue which governs our whole life according to true wisdom; not with curled hair; not with gold➡ Worn by way of ornament; not with pearls-Jewels of any kind, (a part is put for the whole;) not with costly raiment―These four are expressly forbidden by name, to all women (here is no exception) professing godliness. And no art of man can reconcile with the Christian profession, the wilful violation of an express command. V. 12. To usurp authority over the man-By public teaching. 14 Eve. And Adam was not deceived; but the woman, 15 being deceived, transgressed. Yet she shall be saved in child-bearing, if they continue in faith, and love, and holiness, with sobriety. CHAP. III. 1. This is a faithful saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, prudent, of good behaviour, hospitable, 3 apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not desirous of filthy gain, but gentle, patient, not loving money; 4 Ruling his own house well, having his children in sub5 jection with all seriousness. For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the 6 church of God? Not a new convert, lest being puffed up, 7 he fall into the condemnation of the devil. He ought also to have a good report from them that are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. V. 14. And Adam was not deceived-The serpent deceived Eve. Eve did not deceive Adam, but persuaded him, Thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, Gen. iii. 17. The preceding verse shewed, Why a woman should not usurp authority over the man. This shews, Why she ought not to teach. She is more easily deceived, and more easily deceives. The woman, being deceived, transgressed-The serpent deceived her, Gen. iii. 13, and she transgressed. V. 15. Yet she-That is, women in general, who were all involved with Eve in the sentence, pronounced Gen. iii. 16, shall be saved in child-bearingCarried safe through the pain and danger which that sentence entails upon them for the transgression; yea, and finally saved, if they continue in loving faith and holy wisdom. CHAP. III. Ver. 1. He desireth a good work-An excellent, but laborious employment. V. 2. Therefore-That he may be capable of it, a bishop-Or pastor of a congregation, must be blameless-Without fault or just suspicion: the husband of one wife-This neither means that a bishop must be married, nor that he may not marry a second wife; which is just as lawful for him to do, as to marry a first, and may, in some cases, be his bounden duty. But whereas polygamy, and divorce upon slight occasions, were common both among the Jews and heathens, it teaches us, That ministers, of all others, ought to stand clear of those sins; vigilant, prudent-Lively and zealous, yet calm and wise; of good behaviour-Naturally flowing from that vigilance and prudence. V. 4. Having his children in subjection with all seriousness-For levity undermines all domestic authority. And this direction, by a parity of reason, belongs to all parents. V. 6. Lest being puffed up-With this new honour, or with the applause which frequently follows it, he fall into the condemnation of the devil-The same into which the devil fell. V. 7. He ought also to have a good report-To have had a fair character in time past, from them that are without-That are not Christians; lest he fall into reproach-By their rehearsing his former life, which might discourage and prove a snare to him. + 8 Likewise the deacons must be serious, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not desirous of filthy gain: 9 Holding fast the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these be proved first, then let them minister, 11 being blameless. In like manner their wives must be serious, not slanderers, vigilant, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their 13 children and their own houses well. For they that have discharged the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and much boldness in the faith 14 which is in Christ Jesus. These things I write to thee, 15 hoping to come to thee shortly: But if I tarry, that thou mayst know how thou oughtest to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God. 16 The mystery of godliness is the pillar and ground of the truth, and without controversy a great thing: God was manifested in the flesh, was justified by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed IV. on in the world, taken up into glory. I. But the 1. V. 8. Likewise the deacons must be serious-Men of grave, decent, venerable behaviour. But where are presbyters? Were this order essentially distinct from that of bishops, could the apostle have passed it over in silence? Not desirous of filthy gain-With what abhorrence does he every where speak of this? All that is gained, (above food and raiment,) by ministering in holy things, is filthy gain indeed! Far more filthy than what is honestly gained, by raking kennels, or emptying common sewers. V. 9. Holding fast the faith in a pure conscience—Steadfast in faith, holy in heart and life. V. 10. Let these be proved first-Let a trial be made how they behave; then let them minister-Let them be fixed in that office. V. 11. Faithful in all things-Both to God, their husbands, and the poor. V. 13. They purchase a good degree, or step, toward some higher office, and much boldness-For the testimony of a good conscience. V. 15. That thou mayst know how to behave-This is the scope of the epistle, in the house of God-Who is the master of the family, which is-As if he had said, by the house of God, I mean the church. V. 16. The mystery of godliness—Afterwards specified in six articles, which sum up the whole economy of Christ upon earth, is the pillar and groundThe foundation and support of all the truth, taught in his church. God was manifest in the flesh-In the form of a servant, the fashion of a man, for three and thirty years; justified by the Spirit-Publickly, declared to be the Son of God-By his resurrection from the dead; seen-Chiefly after his resurrection, by angels-Both good and bad; preached among the Gentiles-This elegantly follows. The angels were the least, the Gentiles the farthest removed from him; and the foundation, both of this preaching and of their faith, was laid before his assumption; was believed on in the world-Opposed to heaven, into which he was taken up. The first point is, He was manifested in the flesh; the last, He was taken up into glory. CHAP. IV. Ver. 1. But the Spirit saith-By St. Paul himself to the Thessalonians, and probably by other cotemporary prophets; expressly-As concerning a thing of great moment, and soon to be fulfilled; that in the latter VOL. II. P 4 |