THE ARGUMENT Timothy is thought to have been a native of Lystra in Lycaonia, Acts 16:1. His mother, Eunice, was a Jewess, Acts 16:1; a believer, 2 Tim. 1:5. His father a Greek, Acts 16:1, but (possibly) proselyted to the Jewish religion.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ; one immediately sent by Jesus Christ, by his voice from heaven, Acts 9:15, though not by his voice upon earth, as those, Matt. 10. By the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ: through the will of God, 1 Cor.

He dignifies Timothy with the title of his son in the faith; that is, being converted by him to Christianity, and begat to the Divine life: and by styling Timothy his own son, he signifies his piety and virtue, that rendered him a worthy son of such a father, whom he imitated and honoured, and with…

Ephesus was a great city in Asia the Less, whither Paul came, Acts 19:1; where Demetrius raised a tumult against him, which the town clerk appeased, as we read there. From thence he went into Macedonia, Acts 20:1–3. Upon this his motion into Macedonia (as divines judge) he left Timothy at Ephesus.

Neither give heed to fables: by fables he probably meaneth the Jewish fables, and commandments of men, mentioned Titus 1:14; or more generally, all vain and idol speculations.

Now the end of the commandment is charity: the word translated commandment here is παραγγελια, which rather signifies a particular charge given by superiors as to some thing, than a general law, Acts 5:28, Acts 16:24; and so in this chapter, 1 Tim.

Desiring to be teachers of the law; Nomodidaskaloi. This term lets us know, that the apostle reflecteth upon some who were or had been Jews, who either pressed the observance of the law in order to justification, or spent their time in pressing the traditions of the elders, and constitutions of the…

But we know that the law is good: not that I speak against the law of God, I know that it is holy, and spiritual, and just, and good, Rom. 7:12, Rom. 7:14.

By the law is to be understood the moral law, (though possibly not excluding the law of Moses, consisting in many ordinances), as it is armed with stings and terrors, to restrain rebellious sinners; by the righteous man, one in whom a principle of Divine grace is planted, and, from the knowledge…

The two next terms express violaters of the seventh commandment, whether by fornication, adultery, incest, sodomy, or any beastly lusts. Men-stealers; the word signifieth such as carry men into captivity, or make slaves of them in the first place; it signifies also any stealing of men.

Here the apostle specifies the sound doctrine of which he spake; that it is contained in the gospel, the perfect rule of righteousness, which he styles the glorious gospel of the blessed God, it being a doctrine revealed from heaven, wherein the concurrence and command of the Divine attributes,…

Here St. Paul expresses his most humble and solemn thanks to Christ for his rich favour in calling him to the high office of all apostle, for by the ministry that is to be understood; and it is so called by way of excellence, it being the most glorious and Divine ministry that ever was established…

The kindness of God in putting me into so noble a service was the greater and more thankworthy, because before that time I was a blasphemer, one who spake of Christ reproachfully, for that blasphemy signifieth.

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant; the free love of God towards me, in justifying such a guilty creature, and sanctifying such an unholy creature, and afterwards calling me to the office of an apostle, fitting me for it, and trusting me with that great work and employment, abounded…

This is a faithful saying; the following saying, which is the great proposition of the gospel, is a saying that is in itself true, and wherein God hath declared his truth. And worthy of all acceptation; and worthy to be with all thankfulness received, believed, and accepted.

’ Alla, the word we translate howbeit, is as well to be translated but, and ordinarily is so. For this cause, that is, for this end, God showed me mercy.

The apostle falleth out of this discourse with a doxology, or sentence giving glory to God, whom he calls the King, that is, the Moderator and Governor of all things. Eternal; without beginning of days or end of life. Immortal; not subject, as creatures, to any passion, or determination of being.

This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy: the term son, here applied to Timothy, whom he elsewhere calls his brother, is not a term of natural relation, but of spiritual relation, and of affectionate friendship and endearment.

By faith here is meant, the doctrine of faith, and the holding of it signifies a steadiness of the mind’s assent unto it, without wavering or fluctuation, much less deserting or denying it.

Of which men who have made shipwreck of a good conscience and concerning faith, Hymenaeus and Alexander are two persons. Of Hymenaeus we read, 2 Tim. 2:17–18; he affirmed the resurrection was past, and overthrew the faith of many. Of Alexander we read, 2 Tim.