1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6:1

UNder the yoke] To wit, of servitude under Masters that were infidels. This servitude was a heavie yoke, lying not so much upon their bodies, as upon their soules, insomuch that they were forced to serve them who served not the true God; who notwithstanding ought to be hereby satisfied, that touching those things which appertain to everlasting life, they are no way subject to them.

be not blasphemed] For if they should refuse to serve their Masters, though infidels, under pretence of their Christian liberty, this would occasion their Masters to reproach Christian Religion, as if it taught them contumacie and disobedience.

1 Timothy 6:2

because they are brethren] Their fraternitie in Christ ought not to abate ought of their due respect and observance to their Masters: for this spirituall consanguinity doth not alter their outward and civill estate and condition.

faithfull] Or, beleeving.

1 Timothy 6:4

He is proud] Gr. is puffed up.

doating] Or, sick.

strifes of words] Frivolous questions and quarrels, rather about words then matter, and by words he meaneth all those things which have no pith in them, and whereby we can reape no profit.

1 Timothy 6:5

Perverse disputings, &c.] Or, gallings one of another.

1 Timothy 6:6

Godlinesse with contentment is] Not onely because it enricheth the soule and giveth true contentment, but also because it hath the promise of outward blessings, 1 Timothy 4:8.

1 Timothy 6:7

For we brought nothing into this world, &c.] See Job 1:21.

1 Timothy 6:8

And] Gr. But.

1 Timothy 6:9

and a snare] Of the devill, who by means of this their inordinate desire to grow rich, doth tempt them to take many unlawfull courses, and keepeth them thereby as with a snare, that they cannot get againe out of the intanglings of the World.

drown] Or, plunge.

1 Timothy 6:10

money] Gr. silver.

erred] Or, been seduced.

pierced themselves through] Christ compareth the deceitfulnesse of riches and cares of the world to thorns, which prick not the flesh onely, but pierce through the minde and heart, and wound the souls and consciences with manifold hurts and smart pain, Matthew 13:22.

1 Timothy 6:11

O man of God] All righteous men are the servants of God, but the title of man of God implyeth more: for in Scripture it is attributed onely to men of eminent sanctitie, who had more familiarity and inwardnesse with God, as Moses, Samuel, David, Elias, Elizeus, and here Timothy. A man of God is he who is wholly devoted unto God, and his chiefe employment is to bring Messages from God, as Prophets doe, and bring men unto God, as the faithfull Ministers of the Gospel do.

and] Gr. but.

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good sight of faith] Either contend thou earnestly for the maintenance of the true Faith and Gospel, Judo 3. Or, fight the good fight of Faith it selfe against all temptations of the Devill, persecutions of the world, and oppositions and contradictions of hereticall teachers and great Wisards of this world, 2 Tim. 4. 7.

lay hold on eternall life] A comparison taken from those that run for a prize, and as they approach neer the mark they stretch forth their hands to apprehend and touch it, vers. 19.

professed a good profession] Either he understandeth the solemn vow Timothy had made in his baptisme, or at his ordination, wholly to dedicate himself unto, and imploy his uttermost endeavours in the service of God.

1 Timothy 6:13

I give thee charge] A vehement kinde of adjuration to observe and keep all the premisses faithfully, with his eyes fixed upon the comming of Jesus Christ, whose glory we are to set against the vain glistering of this world, and his power against all the terrours of the wicked, 2 Tim. 4. 1.

Pilate witnessed] See Matthew 26:64. Matthew 27:11. John 18:37.

Confession] Or, profession.

1 Timothy 6:15

the King of kings] See Revelation 17:4. & Revelation 19:16.

1 Timothy 6:16

Who onely hath immortality] Eternally subsisting of himselfe, and by no other. Angels and the soules of men are immortall, but by participation onely from God, as the Moone and Starres shine continually, but with light derived from the Sunne.

dwelling in the light] Possessing such perfection and excellencie in himself as none is able to comprehend, as the word light is taken, 1 John 1:5. Or dwelling in that increated and infinite glory of divine Majestie, the sight and knowledge whereof no creature is able to attain unto.

whom no man hath seen] See John 1:18. 1 Timothy 1:17. 1 John 4:12.

1 Timothy 6:17

uncertain riches] Gr. uncertaintie of riches.

giveth] Gr. affordeth.

1 Timothy 6:18

willing] Or, sociable.

1 Timothy 6:19

Laying up in store, &c.] See Matthew 6:20. Luke 12:33.

good foundation] That is, a certain and infallible argument and ground of hoping for eternall life; not as if the liberalitie of the rich did merit the same; but in regard of the promise of God made to all those that in faith apply themselves to the practise of good works, Matthew 10:42. Galatians 6:8-9. Hebrews 13:16. 1 Peter 2:5.

1 Timothy 6:20

keep that which is committed] The precious treasure of sound and wholesome doctrine which is committed to thee, as a pledge, to keep it safely thy self, and carefully transmit it to posteritie; and withall the talent of those gifts which appertain unto the preaching of the same.

oppositions of science falsly] Made against sound doctrine out of erroneous grounds and principles of sciences so termed, but falsly. In which words the Greek fathers conceive, that he pointeth at the Gnosticks, a certain sort of heretikes, who have their name from science, and profound knowledge, which they arrogated to themselves.