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Julian Pe- went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that Macedonia. they teach no other doctrine,

riod, 4770. Valgar Æra, 57.

4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith; so do.

§ 3. 1 TIM. i. 5-11.

St. Paul explains the Design and Use of the Law, which he
shews to be perfectly consistent with Christianity, as it
enforces moral Goodness, and condemns all kinds of
Wickedness.

5 Now the end of the commandment is charity, out of
a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith un-
feigned:

6 From which some having swerved, have turned aside unto vain jangling;

7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the un

pothesis, does not, however, mention his name. Nothing can
be asserted positively. I have preferred the early date for this
reason, that the allusion to the youth of Timothy-the fact that
Timothy was directed to ordain elders, whom St. Paul after-
wards met and the solemn declaration, that he should see their
face no more, appear to be so plainly decisive, that I can admit
no theoretical arguments to overthrow what seems to me the un-
forced deduction from Scripture, that the Epistle was written
after St. Paul went from Ephesus, and left Timothy there, when
he went into Macedonia. There is no mention of St. Paul's
going from Ephesus to Macedonia but once, and that is in the
passage after which I have inserted this Epistle, after the riot of
Demetrius, (Acts xx. 1), This was the consideration which in-
duced Theodoret, among the ancients, and among the moderns,
Estius, Baronius, Capellus, Grotius, Lightfoot, Salmasius,
Hammond, Witsius, Lardner, Pearson, and others, to support
the opinion, that the apostle speaks of that journey in his first
Epistle to Timothy. See Horne, Clarke, Paley, Macknight,
Lardner, and Doddridge.

Michaelis has endeavoured to prove that this Epistle was
principally written against the Essenes, or Therapeuta. His
references do not appear to support his hypothesis. These peo-
ple, even if they sometimes came into towns, could not have
been there in sufficient numbers to endanger the faith of the
Christian communities. We have at least no proof of this fact.
Josephus indeed asserts, that they were numerous in every city;
but their principal habitation being in the deserts, it is impro-
bable that those who entered the towns should have deviated
still further from their customs, and have become the active par.
tizans of Judaism, which the false teachers are represented to
be; they were no doubt included among the various false
teachers whom St. Paul condemned; but they were not the ex-
clusive objects of his censure.-See Michaelis, vol. iv. c. xv.
sect. i. ii. iii. p. 75.

Julian Pe- godly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for mur- Macedonia. riod, 4770. derers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manVulgar Era,

67.

slayers.

10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

§ 4. 1 TIM. i. 12-17.

St. Paul digresses to enlarge on the Goodness of Christ in
making him an Apostle of this glorious Dispensation,
and from God's Mercy to himself, he invites all Sinners
to Repentance.

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath
enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me
into the ministry;

13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

17 Now unto the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

§ 5. 1 TIM. i. 18. to the end.

St. Paul reminds Timothy that he had been appointed by
prophecy to the Christian Ministry, and exhorts him to
persevere in the purity of the Faith and a good Con-
science-Alexander and Hymeneus, who had preserved
neither, are punished for their Impiety.

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, ac-
cording to the prophecies which went before on thee, that
thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made ship

wreck :

20 Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom 1 have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Julian Period, 4770.

57.

§ 6. 1 TIM. ii. 1–7.

Valgar Era, In Opposition to the Judaizing Christians, St. Paul commands the Christian Converts, in the benevolent Spirit of the Gospel, to pray for all Men, whether Jews or Gentiles: and especially for Kings and those in Authority, of whatsover Nation or Country-He declares this to be acceptable in the Sight of God, who would have all Men saved; and with whom there is only one Mediator between God and Men, of all Nations-St. Paul appointed to make these Truths known to the Gentiles, as well as the Jews.

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men ;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

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 unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not,) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

§ 7. 1 TIM. ii. 8, to the end.

The Duty of Prayer is again enjoined-Men are commanded
to offer up public Prayers, which are not to be confined
to the Synagogue or the Temple at Jerusalem; but if
offered with Devotion are acceptable in every Place-
Christian Women are exhorted to good Works, and to
Silence-Their Dress is to be consistent with their Holy
Profession-The Woman, on Account of her Trans-
gression, to be subject to the Man-The Curse denounced
against her will be mitigated on the Condition of Faith
and Holiness.

8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting
up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

Macedonia.

Julian Pe

12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp Macedonia. riod, 4770. authority over the man, but to be in silence. Vulgar Æra, 57. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

14 And Adam was not deceived; but the woman being deceived, was in the transgression.

15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

§ 8. 1 TIM. iii. 1—7.

The Qualifications of a Bishop, Superintendant over several
Congregations, and of a Minister over one Congrega-
tion, are described.

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a
bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach:

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach, and the snare of the devil.

§ 9. 1 TIM. iii. 8—13.

The Qualifications of the Deacons enumerated; their Wives
are to be Examples to the People.

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double
tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy
lucre ;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless ".

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 The priests under the law were required to be without bodily infirmities, (Lev. xxi. 16.) typical of that spiritual purity which was the essential qualification of the ministers of the Christian dispensation.

Julian Period, 4770. Vulgar Era,

57.

§ 10. 1 TIM. iii. 14. to the end.

Timothy, as a Pillar and Ground of the Truth, is encou-
raged in his Episcopal and Ministerial Duties by the
Remembrance of the sublimer Doctrines of the Christian
Religion.

14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto
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 church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

16 And, without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

§ 11. 1 TIM. iv. 1-11.

By the Spirit of God St. Paul foretetells the Apostacy of
the Christian Church, and describes the Character of its
Corruptions, intimating thereby that the Judaizing
Teachers were some of those who were preparing its Way
-Timothy is cautioned against all tendencies to these
Corruptions, and exhorted to inculcate the Practice of
Virtue and Piety, as the only profitable and acceptable
Service of a Christian-Timothy is enjoined to enforce
this important Truth, although in so doing he will be re-
proached and persecuted.

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter
times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to
be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these
things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ,
nourished up in the words of faith, and of good doctrine,
whereunto thou hast attained.

7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exer-
cise thyself rather unto godliness.

8 For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

9 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation.

Macedonia.

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