1Paul foretelleth and describeth a great apostasy to happen in the latter times. 6He directeth Timothy what doctrines to teach, 12and by what rules to regulate his conduct, so as to save both himself and his hearers.
1NOWa1the Spirit speaketh expressly, that 2in the latter times some shall departb3from the faith, giving heed to 4seducing spirits, and doctrines 5of devils;
a 2 Tim. 3:1; 2 Peter 3:3; Jude verse 18.
1 Namely, the Holy Spirit, by His extraordinary inspiration in the apostles and other prophets. See Acts 20:23; 21:4.
2 Or, in the following times. See 2 Tim. 3:1.
b Mat. 24:23; 2 Thes. 2:3.
3 That is, from the true doctrine of faith, as the following words show. See 2 Thes. 2:3; 2 Peter 2:1.
4 Hereby are understood either the wicked spirits themselves, as in the following phrase, or the spirits of false teachers, as 1 John 4:1.
5 That is, whereof the devil is the author or inspirer.
2Speaking lies in 6hypocrisy; having their conscience searedc7with a hot iron;
6 Or, through hypocrisy. That is, under a show of holiness, and of leading a more strict life; it is a similitude taken from actors, who oftentimes represent persons which they are not.
c scorched (literally, cauterized)
7 That is, so seared all over that it has no feeling; for, false teachers or superstitious men shall at last fall into ruin by a just judgment of God. See Eph. 4:19; 2 Thes. 2:11.
3Forbidding to marry, and 8commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created tod be received withe thanksgiving of them 9which believe and know the truth.
8 That this contrary word must hereupon be understood appears clearly from the following words, as such examples frequently come to hand. See another in 1 Cor. 14:34; 1 Tim. 2:12.
d Gen. 1:29; 9:3.
e Rom. 14:6; 1 Cor. 10:30.
9 That is, true believers, to whom all things are pure, even use all meats with moderation, Titus 1:15.
4Forf every creatureg of God is good, and 10nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
f Gen. 1:31; Acts 10:15; Rom. 14:14.
g created thing*
10 Namely, in itself, in the time of the New Testament, in which the difference of meats is taken away. See Acts 10:15.
5For it is 11sanctified 12by the word of God and 13prayer.
11 That is, prepared or made suitable for a right and holy use, as 1 Cor. 7:14.
12 That is, by the declaration which God’s Word makes thereof unto us. See Titus 1:15.
13 Namely, that it may be unto health and blessing to us, among which thanksgiving is also comprehended. See Mat. 15:36; John 6:11.
6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, 14nourishedh up in the words 15of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
14 Namely, even from your childhood, as he adds 2 Tim. 3:15.
h 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14, 15.
15 That is, of the sound doctrine of faith, as the following words declare.
7Buti refuse profane and old wives’ 16fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
i 1 Tim. 1:4; 6:20; 2 Tim. 2:16; Titus 1:14; 3:9.
16 Namely, of which the Jewish Talmudists are yet replete, whereof Paul speaks also in Titus 1:14; 3:9, and he foretells that even some Christian teachers shall lapse into them in the last times, 2 Tim. 4:4.
8Forj17bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, 18having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
j Col. 2:23.
17 Hereby some understand the exercise of those who contended for a prize by wrestling, running and otherwise, as the Greek word gymnasia sometimes signifies, whereby some bodily benefit is only obtained; but, seeing Paul here treats of matters which concern religion, others understand it more fittingly of some exercise of the body whereby the same is subdued or chastised, as is fasting, watching, abstinence from some meats or clothes, otherwise lawful. Of these than the apostle says, that they may indeed be of some use, yet but small in comparison of godliness itself, forasmuch as they may also be misused, and degenerate into superstition, as Paul testifies in Col. 2:23; but godliness is always acceptable unto God and useful for all things.
18 Namely, from Christ Himself, Mat. 6:33.
9This is 19a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
19 That is, a firm and true promise.
10For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we 20trust in the living God, who is the 21Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
20 Namely, in all our troubles and tribulations.
21 Other, Preserver or Protector. Gr. soter, this word is here translated as Savior, and seeing God is the Savior of only believers, John 3:36, and elsewhere, therefore it cannot be taken here in that sense, but only for a Protector and Preserver, as the Greek word sozein is oftentimes taken in general for all kind of preserving and keeping. Yea even in Psalm 36:5, 6, to praise the goodness of God towards His people, it is said also that He preserveth man and beast.
11These things command and teach.
1222Letk no man despise thy youth; butl be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, 23in spirit, in faith, in purity.
22 That is, give no one any cause by your action and walk, that anyone would be able to despise you for your youth; which sense the following words require.
k Titus 2:15.
l Titus 2:7; 1 Peter 5:3.
23 That is, zeal of the spirit, or, gifts of the spirit.
13Till I come, give attendance 24to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
24 Namely, of the Holy Scripture, as he adds 2 Tim. 3:14, etc.
1425Neglect not 26the gift that is in thee, which was given thee 27by prophecy, withm the laying on of the hands of the 28presbytery.
25 That is, arouse her and apply her well, spend her well, 2 Tim. 1:6, 7.
26 Hereby is understood the calling as well as the gift needful thereunto, as the following words show.
27 See hereof the annotation in 1 Tim. 1:18.
m Acts 6:6; 8:17; 13:3; 19:6; 1 Tim. 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6.
28 That is, of the assembly of the elders, or of the overseers of the congregation, in whose name and presence Paul had laid hands on Timothy, 1 Tim. 6:12, for, that Paul did this himself, appears from 2 Tim. 1:6, and that at Lystra, as may be collected from Acts 16:1,2.
15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that 29thy profiting may appear 30to all.
29 Namely, in gifts and godliness.
30 Namely, things. Or, amongst all; namely, people.
16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save 31thyself, and them that hear thee.
31 Namely, by the word, as an instrument and minister of Christ, in whom is put the word of reconciliation, 2 Cor. 5:19, yet so that neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase, 1 Cor. 3:7.