1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6:1-99

Ch. 6. The Apostle’ s exhortations are continued, and pass from ecclesiastical to civil relations: and first to the duties of Christian slaves. This chapter has been charged (Schleierm., al.) with want of coherence. But to a careful observer the thread of connexion is very plain. I have endeavoured to indicate it as we pass on. Such a thread being detected, the idea of Schleierm. (partly approved by De W.) of its being a clumsy compilation out of the Epistles to Titus and 2 Tim. hardly requires refutation.

1. Let as many as are slaves under the yoke (I have adopted the rendering of De W. and Huther, attaching δοῦλοι to the predicate, as the simpler construction. The other, ‘ as many slaves as are under the yoke,’ making ὑπὸζυγόν emphatic as distinguishing either 1) those treated hardly, or 2) those who were under unbelieving masters, has undoubtedly something to be said for it, but does not seem to me so likely, from the arrangement of the words. Had ὑπὸζυγόν been intended to bring out any distinction, it would have more naturally preceded εἰσίν . I take then ὑπὸζυγὸνδοῦλοι as the predicate: ‘ bondsmen under yoke’ ) hold their own (ἰδίους , as in Ephesians 5:22, al., to bring out and emphasize the relation; see note there) masters worthy of all (fitting) honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not spoken evil of (Chrys. gives the sense well: ὁἄπιστοςἂνμὲνἴδῃτοὺςδούλουςδιὰτὴνπίστιναὐθάδωςπροφερομένους , βλασφημήσειπολλάκιςὡςστάσινἐμποιοῦντὸδόγμα · ὅτανδὲἴδῃπειθομένους , μᾶλλονπεισθήσεται , μᾶλλονπροσέξειτοῖςλεγουένοις . This verse obviously applies only to those slaves who had unbelieving masters.

This is brought out by the reason given, and by the contrast in the next verse, not by any formal opposition in terms. The account to be given of the absence of such opposition is, that this verse contains the general exhortation, the case of Christian slaves under unbelieving masters being by far the most common. The exception is treated in the next verse).

2. But (see above) let those who have believing masters not despise them because they (the masters, not the slaves) are brethren, but all the more serve them (μᾶλλον has the emphatic position: cf. Ephesians 5:11, where it merely signifies ‘ rather,’ and the verb has the emphasis, μᾶλλονδὲκαὶἐλέγχετε . Cf. also Hom. Od. ο . 369, φίλειδέμεκηρόθιμᾶλλον : and in the same sense ἐπὶμᾶλλον , Herod. i. 94,— ἐπείτεδὲοὐκἀνιέναιτὸκακόν , ἀλλ ʼ ἐπὶμᾶλλονἔτιβιάζεσθαι , iii. 104; iv. 181. “ The slaves who were under heathen masters were positively to regard their masters as deserving of honour;— the slaves under Christian masters were, negatively, not to evince any want of respect. The former were not to regard their masters as their inferiors, and to be insubordinate; the latter were not to think them their equals, and to be disrespectful.” Ellicott), because those who receive (mutually receive: the interchange of service between them in the Christian life being taken for granted, and this word purposely used to express it.

So Eur. Andr. 742 ff., κἂν … τολοιπὸνᾖ | σώφρωνκαθ ʼ ἡμᾶς , σώφρον ʼ ἀντιλήψεται . | θυμούμενοςδέ , τεύξεταιθυμουμένων , ἔργοισιδ ʼ ἔργαδιάδοχ ʼ ἀντιλήψεται .

This sense, in the active, also occurs Theogn. 110, οὔτεκακοὺςεὖδρῶν , εὖπάλινἀντιλάβοις . And Plut. Pericl. circa init. has it with the middle and the genitive construction,— τῇμὲνγὰραἰσθήσει , κατὰπάθοςτῆςπληγῆςἀντιλαμβανομένῃτῶνπροστυγχανόντων … ; and so Porphyr. de abstinentia, i. 46, μήτεἐσθίωνπλειόνωνἡδονῶνἀντιλήψεται . On other senses, see below) the benefit (of their μᾶλλονδουλεύειν . There is an apt and interesting passage in Seneca, de beneficiis, iii. 18: ‘ Quæ ritur a quibusdam, an beneficium dare servus domino possit?’ This question he answers in the affirmative: ‘ servos qui negat dare aliquando domino beneficium, ignarus est juris humani: refert enim, cujus animi sit qui præ stat, non cujus status:’ and at some length explains when, and how, such benefits can be said to be bestowed. The passage is remarkable, as constituting perhaps one of those curious indications of community of thought between the Apostle and the philosopher which could hardly have been altogether fortuitous. For instance, when Seneca proceeds thus, “ Quidquid est quod servilis officii formulam excedit, quod non ex imperio sed ex voluntate præ statur, beneficium est,” we can hardly forbear connecting the unusual sense here of εὐεργεσία after the μᾶλλονδουλευέτωσαν , with the moralist’ s discussion) are faithful and beloved.

Very various meanings and references have been assigned to these last words. Chrys., Thl., Grot., Kypke, al., interpret εὐεργεσίας of the kindness of the master to the slave (“ quia fideles sunt et dilecti qui beneficii participes sunt (vulg.): primum, quia fide in Deum sunt præ diti: deinde diligendi eo nomine quod curam gerant, ut vobis benefaciant: id est ut vos vestiant, pascant, ab injuriis protegant.” Grot.). On the other hand, Ambr. (?), Lomb., Th.-Aq., Calv., Beza, Bengel, al., understand it of God’ s grace in redemption. But thus, if we make οἱτῆςεὐεργ . ἀντιλ . the subject, as by the article it must be, the sentence will express nothing but a truism: if we escape from this by turning those words into the predicate , we are violating the simplest rules of grammar. These things (viz. those immediately preceding, relating to slaves) teach and exhor

3-5. Designation of those who oppose such wholesome teaching— fervid indeed, and going further (see Prolegg.) than strict adherence to the limits of the context would require, but still suggested by, and returning to the context: cf. ver. 5 fin. and note. If any man is a teacher of other ways (see on ch. 1:3: sets up as an adviser of different conduct from that which I have above recommended), and does not accede to (so a convert to the true faith was called προσήλυτος : and we have in Origen, ii. 255 (Wolf), προσιόνταςτῷλόγῳ in the sense of just converted, and in ib. 395, προσερχομένουςτῷθείῳλόγῳ . So also Irenæ us, in two places cited by Wolf: see also Philo in reff. There was therefore no need for Bentley’ s conjecture, προσέχεται (see itacism in , var. read.) or προσέχει , or προσίσχεται , though the use of these is commoner: see ch. 1:4 reff. Cf. also Ellic.’ s note) wholesome words (reff.), (namely) those of our Lord Jesus Christ (either, precepts given by Him respecting this duty of subjection, such as that Matthew 22:21,— which however seems rather far-fetched: or words agreeing with His teaching and expressing His will, which is more probable), and to the doctrine which is according to (after the rules of) piety,— he is (the apodosis begins here, not as Mack, al., with the spurious ἀφίστασο , ver. 5) besotted with pride (see ch. 3:6, note), knowing nothing (not οὐδέν , which would be used to express the bare fact of absolute ignorance or idiotcy), but mad after : the further idea of any action or motion round it is supplied by περί with the accusative.

Cf. Winer, edn. 6, § 47. e: Donalds. Gr. § 482.” Ellicott) questionings (reff.) and disputes about words , from which cometh envy, strife, evil speakings (the context of such passages as Colossians 3:8, shews that it is not blasphemy, properly so called (ἐκδὲτῆςἔριδοςἡκατὰτοῦθεοῦβλασφημίατολμᾶται , Thdrt.), but mutual slander and reproach which is here meant), wicked suspicions (not concerning God (περὶθεοῦἂμὴδεῖὑποπτεύομεν , Chrys.), but of one another: not “  ‘ opiniones malœ ,’ quales Diagoræ , non esse Deum,” as Grot.), incessant quarrels (δια - gives the sense of continuance; παρατριβή , primarily ‘ friction,’ is found in later writers in the sense of irritating provocation, or hostile collision: so Polyb. ii. 36. 5, τὰμὲνοὖνκατὰΚαρχηδονίουςκαὶῬωμαίουςἀπὸτούτωνἤδητῶνκαιρῶνἐνὑποψίαιςἦνπρὸςἀλλήλουςκαὶπαρατριβαῖς :— xxiii. 10. 4, διὰτὴνπρὸςτὸνΦιλοποίμεναπαρατριβήν : see also iv. 21. 5; xxi. 13. 5; xxiv. 3. 4. According to the other reading, παρά would give the sense of useless, vain, perverse, and διατριβή would be disputation, thus giving the sense ‘ perverse disputing,’ as E. V. Chrys., Œ c., Thdrt., explain our word ἀπὸμεταφορᾶςτῶνψωραλέωνπροβάτων (Œ c.): and Chrys. says, καθάπερτὰψωραλέατῶνπροβάτωνπαρατριβόμενανόσουκαὶτὰὑγιαίνονταἐμπίπλησιν , οὕτωκαὶοὗτοιοἱπονηροὶἄνδρες ) of men depraved in mind (reff.; and see Ellic. on the psychology and construction) and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is gain (lit., ‘ a gainful trade,’ as Conyb.: see reff.:— and therefore do not teach contentment and acquiescence in God’ s providence, as in ver. 6: but strive to make men discontented, and persuade them to use religion as a means of worldly bettering themselves).

6. He then goes off, on the mention of this erroneous view, to shew how it really stands with the Christian as to the desire of riches: its danger, and the mischief it has occasioned. But (although they are in error in thus thinking, there is a sense in which such an idea is true (‘ eleganter et non sine ironica correctione in contrarium sensum eadem verba retorquet.’ Calv.), for) godliness accompanied with contentment (see above, and Philippians 4:11) is great gain (alluding, not to the Christian’ s reward in the next world, as Thdrt.,— τὴνγὰραἰώνιονἡμῖνπορίζειζωήν , Erasm., Calv., al.,— but as Chrys., Thl., Ambr., al.,— the πορισμός is in the very fact of possessing piety joined with contentment, and thus being able to dispense with those things which we cannot carry away with us).

7. Reason why this is so. For we brought nothing into the world, because neither can we carry any thing out (the insertion of δῆλον or ἀληθές , or substitution of ἀλλά or καί for ὅτι , betray themselves as having all sprung from the difficulty of the shorter and original construction. The meaning appears to be,— we were appointed by God to come naked into the world, to teach us to remember that we must go naked out of it. But this sense of ὅτι is not without difficulty. De W. cites Il. π . 35, γλαυκὴδέσετίκτεθάλασσα , πέτραιτ ʼ ἠλίβατοι , ὅτιτοινόοςἐστὶνἀπηνής ,— and Od. χ . 36, ὦκύνες , οὔμ ʼ ἔτ ʼ ἐφάσκεθ ʼ ὑπότροπονοἴκαδ ʼ ἱκέσθαι | δήμουἄποΤρώων , ὅτιμοικατεκείρετεοἶκον , in both which it has nearly the sense required, of ‘ seeing that.’ The sentiment is found in Job 1:21, Ecclesiastes 5:14: and in words remarkably similar, in Seneca, Ep. 102. 24, ‘ non licet plus efferre, quam intuleris.’ See other examples in Wetst.):

8. but (contrast to the avaricious, who forget this, or knowing it do not act on it: not as De W., = οὖν , which would be a direct inference from the preceding verse) having (if we have) food and covering (some take it of both clothing and dwelling: perhaps rightly, but not on account of the plural: see above:— Chrys., al., of clothing only,— τοιαῦταἀμφιέννυσθαι , ἃσκεπάσαιμόνονἡμᾶςὀφείλεικαὶπεριστεῖλαιτὴνγύμνωσιν . These words occur together (Huther) in Sextus Empiricus ix. 1), with these (so ἀγαπάω , στέργω , χαίρω , &c. take a dative of the cause or object of the feeling. See ref. Luke, and Matthiæ , § 403) we shall be sufficiently provided (the fut. has an authoritative sense: so in Matthew 5:48, and Xen. Hell. ii. 3. 34, cited by Huther, ὑμεῖςοὖν , ἐὰνσωφρονῆτε , οὐτούτου , ἀλλ ʼ ὑμῶνφείσεσθε :— but is not therefore equivalent to an imperative, ‘ let us be content:’ for its sense is not properly subjective but objective— ‘ to be sufficed,’ or ‘ sufficiently provided:’ and it is passive, not middle).

9. But (contrast to the last verse) they who wish to be rich , fall (reff.) into temptation (not merely ‘ are tempted,’ but are involved in, cast into and among temptations; “ in ἐμπίπτειν is implied the power which the πειρασμός exercises over them.” Huther) and a snare (being entangled by the temptation of getting rich as by a net), and many foolish and hurtful lusts (foolish, because no reasonable account can be given of them (see Ellic. on Galatians 3:1): hurtful, as inflicting injury on all a man’ s best interests), such as sink men (mankind, generic) into destruction and perdition (temporal and eternal, but especially the latter: see the usage in reff. of both words by St. Paul: not mere moral degradation, as De W.).

10. For the love of money is the (not ‘ a,’ as Huther, Conyb., and Ellicott, after Middleton. A word like ῥίζα , a recognized part of a plant, does not require an article when placed as here in an emphatic position: we might have ἡγὰρῥίζα , or ῥίζαγάρ : cf. 1 Corinthians 11:3 (which, notwithstanding what Ellic. has alleged against it, still appears to me to be strictly in point to shew that for which it is here adduced), παντὸςἀνδρὸςἡκεφαλὴὁχριστόςἐστιν , κεφαλὴδὲγυναικὸςὁἀνήρ , κεφαλὴδὲτοῦχριστοῦὁθεός . Here in the first clause it is requisite to throw παντὸςἀνδρός into emphasis: but had the arrangement been the same as that of the others, we should have read κεφαλή (not ἡκεφ .) παντὸςἀνδρὸςὁχριστός : but no one would therefore have thought of rendering ‘ a head’ ) root of all evils (not, is the only root whence all evils spring: but is the root whence all (manner of evils may and as matter of fact do arise. So that De W.’ s objections to the sentiment have no force: for neither does it follow (1) that the covetous man cannot possibly retain any virtuous disposition,— nor (2) that there may not be other roots of evil besides covetousness: neither of these matters being in the Apostle’ s view. So Diogenes Laert. vit.

Diogen. (vi. 50), τὴνφιλαργυρίανεἶπεμητρόπολινπάντωνσῶνκακῶν : and Philo de judice 3, vol. ii. p. 346, calls it ὁρμητήριοντῶνμεγίστωνπαρανομηματων . See other examples in Wetst.): after which (φιλαργυρία , see below) some lusting (the method of expression, if strictly judged, is somewhat incorrect: for φιλαργυρία is of itself a desire or ὄρεξις , and men cannot be properly said ὀρέγεσθαι after it, but after its object ἀργύριον . Such inaccuracies are, however, often found in language, and we have examples of them in St. Paul elsewhere: e.g. ἐλπὶςβλεπομένη , Romans 8:24,— ἐλπίδα … ἣνκαὶαὐτοὶοὗτοιπροσδέχονται , Acts 24:15) wandered away from the faith (ch. 1:19; 4:1), and pierced themselves through (not all round’ or ‘ all over,’ as Beza, Elsner, al.: the περί refers to the thing pierced surrounding the instrument piercing: so περιπ . τὴνκεφαλὴνπερὶλόγχην , Plut. Galb. 27: see Palm and Rost, and Suicer, sub voce) with many pains (the ὀδύναι being regarded as the weapons. ἄκανθαίεἰσιναἱἐπιθυμίαι — καὶκαθάπερἐνἀκάνθαις , ὅθενἄντιςἅψηταιαὐτῶν , ᾕμαξετὰςχεῖραςκαὶτραύματαἐργάζεται · οὕτωκαὶἀπὸτῶνἐπιθυμιῶντὸαὐτὸπείσεταιὁταύταιςἐμπεσών , κ . τὴνψυχὴνἀλγηδόσιπεριβαλεῖ . Chrys.).

11-16. Exhortation and conjuration to Timotheus, arising out of these considerations.

11. But (contrast to τινές above) thou (emphatic), O man of God (the designation of prophets in the O. T.: cf. LXX, 1 Kings 9:6, 1 Kings 9:7, 1 Kings 9:8 1 Kings 9:10, al.; and hence perhaps used of Timotheus as dedicated to God’ s service in the ministry: but also not without a solemn reference to that which it expresses, that God, and not riches (see the contrast again ver. 17) is his object of desire), flee these things (φιλαργυρία and its accompanying evils): but (the contrast is to the following these things, underlying the mention of them) follow after (ref. 2 Tim., where both words occur again) righteousness (see Ellic.’ s note and references), piety (so δικαίως , εὐσεβῶς , Titus 2:12), faith (not mere rectitude in keeping trust, for all these words regard the Christian life), love, patience (under afflictions: stedfast endurance: better than ‘ stedfastness’ (Conyb.), which may be an active endurance), meek-spiritedness (ref.: we have πραϋπαθέω in Philo de profugis, 1, vol. i. 547,— πραϋπαθής in Basil. M. These two last qualities have reference to his behaviour towards the opponents of the Gospel):

12. Strive the good strife (see ref. and ch. 1:18: 1 Corinthians 9:24 ff. Philippians 3:12 ff.) of the faith (not ‘ of faith,’ abstract and subjective: but that noble conflict which the faith,— the profession of the soldier of Christ, entails on him), lay hold upon everlasting life, to which thou wast called (here apparently the image is dropped, and the realities of the Christian life spoken of. Some have supposed an allusion to the athletes being summoned by a herald: but it seems far-fetched— and indeed inaccurate: for it was to the contest, not to the prize, that they were thus summoned), and didst confess the good confession (of faith in Christ: the confession, which every servant of Christ must make, on taking upon himself His service, or professing it when called upon so to do. From the same expression in the next verse, it would seem, that the article rather represents the notoriousness of the confession, ‘ bonam illam confessionem,’ than its definite general character. There is some uncertainty, to what occasion the Apostle here refers; whether to the baptism of Timotheus,— so Chrys. (?), Œ c., Thl. (alt.), Ambr., Grot., Beng., &c.: to his ordination as a minister,— so Wolf, al.: to his appointment over the church at Ephesus,— so Mack: to some confession made by him under persecution,— so, justifying it by what follows, respecting our Lord, Huther, al.

Of these the first appears to me most probable, as giving the most general sense to ἡκαλὴὁμολογία , and applying best to the immediate consideration of αἰώνιοςζωή , which is the common object of all Christians. The reference supposed by Thdrt. , Calv., al., to Timotheus’ s preaching, is clearly inadmissible) before many witnesses.

13. I charge thee (ch. 1:3) in the presence of God who endues all things with life (for the sense, see reff.: most probably a reference to αἰώνιοςζωή above: hardly, as De W., al., after Chrys., to the resurrection, reminding him that death for Christ’ s sake was not to be feared: for there is here no immediate allusion to danger, but only to the duty of personal firmness in the faith in his own religious life), and of Christ Jesus, who testified (‘ testari confessionem erat Domini, confiteri confessionem erat Timo nei,’ Bengel. See Ellicott’ s note) before Pontius Pilate (De W., al. (and Ellicott: see below on ὁμολογ .) would render it, as in the Apostles’ creed, ‘ under Pontius Pilate:’ but the immediate reference here being to His confession, it seems more natural to take the meaning, ‘ coram:’ and so Chrys., who as a Greek, and familiar with the Creed, is a fair witness)— the good confession (viz. that whole testimony to the verity of his own Person and to the Truth, which we find in John 18., and which doubtless formed part of the oral apostolic teaching. Those who render ἐπί , ‘ under,’ understand this confession of our Lord’ s sufferings and death— which at least is far-fetched.

There is no necessity, with Huther, to require a strict parallel between the circumstances of the confession of our Lord and that of Timotheus, nor to infer in consequence of this verse that his confession must have been one before a heathen magistrate: it is the fact of a confession having been made in both cases that is put in the foreground— and that our Lord’ s was made in the midst of danger and with death before him, is a powerful argument to firmness for his servant in his own confession. Another rendering of this verse is given by Mack, al.: it makes τὴνκαλὴνὁμολογίαν governed by παραγγέλλω , and understands by it the same confession as in verse 12: ‘ I enjoin on thee,— in the presence … and of Christ Jesus who bore testimony before Pontius Pilate— the good confession.’ But this is quite inadmissible. For it is opposed both to the sense of παραγγέλλω , and to the following context, in which ἡἐντολή , not ἡκαλὴὁμολογία , is the thing to be observed), that thou keep (preserve: cf. ἄσπιλον below, and ch. 5:22) the commandment (used not to designate any special command just given, but as a general compendium of the rule of the Gospel, after which our lives and thoughts must be regulated: cf. παραγγελία in the same sense, ch. 1:5) without spot and without reproach (both epithets belong to τὴνἐντολήν , not to σε , as most Commentators, some, as Est., maintaining that ἀνεπίληπτος can be used of persons only. But this De W. has shewn not to be the case: we have ἡἀνεπίληπτοςτέχνη in Philo de opif. 22, vol. i. p. 15: ἀνεπιληπτότεροντὸλεγόμενον in Plato, Phileb. p. 43 c. Besides, the ordinary construction with τηρεῖν is that the qualifying adjective should belong to its object: cf. ch. 5:22: James 1:27: 2 Corinthians 11:9. The commandment, entrusted to thee as a deposit (cf. ver. 20), must be kept by thee unstained and unreproached.

Consult Ellic.’ s note) until the appearance (reff.) of our Lord Jesus Christ (τουτέστι , says Chrys., μέχριτῆςσῆςτελευτῆς , μέχριτῆςἐξόδου . But surely both the usage of the word ἐπιφάνεια and the next verse should have kept him from this mistake. Far better Bengel: “ fideles in praxi sua proponebant sibi diem Christi ut appropinquantem: nos solemus nobis horam mortis proponere.” We may fairly say that whatever impression is betrayed by the words that the coming of the Lord would be in Timotheus’ s lifetime, is chastened and corrected by the καιροῖςἰδίοις of the next verse. That, the certainty of the coming in God’ s own time, was a fixed truth respecting which the Apostle speaks with the authority of the Spirit: but the day and hour was hidden from him as from us: and from such passages as this we see that the apostolic age maintained that which ought to be the attitude of all ages, constant expectation of the Lord’ s return)

15, 16. which in His own times (reff.: τουτέστιτοῖςπροσήκουσι , τοῖςὀφειλομένοις , Chrys. “ Numerus pluralis observandus, brevitatem temporum non valde coarctans;” Bengel) He shall manifest (make visible, cause to appear; “ display,” Ellic.) (who is) the blessed (ἡαὐτομακαριότης , Chrys.) and only Potentate (Baur, al., believe the polytheism or dualism of the Gnostics to be hinted at in μόνος : but this is very unlikely. The passage is not polemical: and cf. the same μόνος in John 17:3), the King of kings and Lord of lords (this seems the place,— on account of this same designation occurring in reff. Rev. applied to our Lord,— to enquire whether these verses 15, 16 are said of the Father or of the Son. Chrys. holds very strongly the latter view: but surely the καιροῖςἰδίοις , compared with καιρούς , οὓςὁπατὴρἔθετοἐντῇἰδίᾳἐξουσίᾳ , Acts 1:7, determines for the former: so also does ὃνεἶδενοὐδεὶςκ .τ .λ . verse 16, which Chrys. leaves untouched), who only has immortality (Huther quotes (Ps-) Justin M., quæ st. ad Orthod. 61, p. 464: μόνοςἔχωντὴνἀθανασίανλέγεταιὁθεός , ὅτιοὐκἐκθελήματοςἄλλουταύτηνἔχει , καθάπεροἱλοιποὶπάντεςἀθάνατοι , ἀλλ ʼ ἐκτῆςοἰκείαςοὐσίας . Bengel remarks: ‘ Adjectivum immortalis non exstat in N. T. sed ἄφθαρτος , incorruptibilis: neque ἀθάνατος aut ἀθανασία habent LXX.

Utrumque habet Sapientiæ liber qui semper Græ cus fuit’ ), dwelling in light unapproachable (ἄλλοτὸφῶςαὐτὸςκαὶἄλλοὃοἰκεῖ ; οὐκοῦνκαὶτόπῳἐμπεριείληπται ; ἄπαγε · οὐχἵνατοῦτονοήσωμεν , ἀλλ ʼ ἵνατὸἀκατάληπτοντῆςθείαςφύσεωςπαραστήσῃ , φῶςοἰκεῖναὐτὸνεἶπενἀπρόσιτον , οὕτωθεολογήσαςὡςἦναὐτῷδυνατόν . Chrys.), whom no one of men (ever) saw, nor can see (the Commentators quote Theophilus ad Autol., i. 5, p. 341: εἰτῷἡλίῳἐλαχίστῳὄντιστοιχείῳοὐδύναταιἄνθρωποςἀτενίσαιδιὰτὴνὑπερβάλλουσανθέρμηνκαὶδύναμιν , πῶςοὐχὶμᾶλλοντῇτοῦθεοῦδόξῃἀνεκφράστῳοὔσῃἄνθρωποςθνητὸςοὐδύναταιἀντωπῆσαι ; These words, as compared with John 1:18, seem to prove decisively that the whole description applies to the Father, not to the Son), to whom be honour and power everlasting, Amen (see ch. 1:17, where a similar ascription occurs). Some of the Commentators (Mack, Schleierm.) think that verses 15, 16 are taken from an ecclesiastical hymn: and Mack has even arranged it metrically. See ch. 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:11 ff., notes.

17-19. Precepts for the rich. Not a supplement to the Epistle, as commonly regarded: the occurrence of a doxology is no sufficient ground for supposing that the Apostle intended to close with it: cf. ch. 1:17. Rather, the subject is resumed from verses 6-10. We may perhaps make an inference as to the late date of the Epistle, from the existence of wealthy members in the Ephesian church.

17. To those who are rich in this present world (no τοῖς before ἐντῷνῦναἰ ., because πλούσιοι -ἐν -τῷ -νῦν -αἰῶνι is the designation of the persons spoken of. Had there been a distinction such as Chrys. brings out,— εἰσὶγὰρκαὶἄλλοιπλούσιοιἐντῷμέλλοντι (τῷδὲδιορισμῷἁναγκαίωςἐχρήσατο · εἰσὶγὰρπλούσιοικαὶτοῦμέλλοντοςαἰῶνος , οἱτὸνμόνιμονπλοῦτονκαὶδιαρκῆκεκτημένοι . Thdrt.), the τοῖς would have been more naturally prefixed. Such a distinction would besides have been improbable, as drawing a line between the two characters, which it is the object of the exhortation to keep united in the same persons. See the distinction in Luke 12:21) give in charge not to be high-minded (ταῦταπαραινεῖ , εἰδὼςὅτιοὐδὲνοὕτωτίκτειτῦφον , καὶἀπόνοιαν , καὶἀλαζονείαν , ὡςχρήματα , Chrys.), nor to place their hope (i.e. to have hoped, and continue to be hoping: see on ch. 4:10) on the uncertainty (reff.) of riches , but in (see var. readd.: no distinction of meaning need be sought between ἐπί and ἐν : see Winer, edn. 6, § 50. 2) God (‘ transfertur Ejus officium ad divitias, si spes in iis locatur,’ Calv.), who affordeth us all things richly (πλοῦτος of a nobler and higher kind is included in His bounty: that βούλεσθαιπλουτεῖν which is a bane and snare in its worldly sense, will be far better attained in the course of his abundant mercies to them who hope in Him.

And even those who would be wealthy without Him are in fact only made rich by His bountiful hand: ‘ alias nemo foret πλούσιος ,’ Beng.) for enjoyment (for the purpose of enjoying: cf. ch. 4:3, εἰςμετάλημψιν . The term ἀπόλαυσις , the reaping enjoyment from, and so having done with (cf. ἀπέχω &c), forms a contrast to ἠλπικέναιἐπί , in which riches are not the subject of ἀπόλαυσις , but are looked on as a reliance for the future);— to do good (ref.: ‘ to practise benevolence,’ as Conyb.), to be rich in good works (honourable deeds: ἀγαθός is good towards another, καλός good in itself, noble, honourable),— to be free-givers, ready-contributors (Chrys. takes κοινωνικούς for affable, communicative,— ὁμιλητικούς , φησι , προσηνεῖς : so also Thdrt.: τὸμὲν (εὐμεταδ .) ἐστιτῆςτῶνχρημάτωνχορηγίας · τὸδὲτῆςτῶνἠθῶνμετριότητος · κοινωνικοὺςγὰρκαλεῖνεἰώθαμεντοὺςἄτυφονἦθοςἔχοντας . But it seems much better to take it of communicating their substance, as the verb in Galatians 6:6, and κοινωνία in Hebrews 13:16, where it is coupled with εὐποιΐα ), (by this means) laying up for themselves as a treasure (hoarding up, not uncertain treasure for the life here, but a substantial pledge of that real and endless life which shall be hereafter. So that there is no difficulty whatever in the conjunction of ἀποθησαυρίζονταςθεμέλιον , and no need for the conjectures κειμήλιον (Le Clerc) or θέμαλίανκαλόν (! Lamb-Bos). For the expression, cf. ch. 3:13) a good foundation (reff., and Luke 6:48) for the future , that (in order that, as always: not the mere result of the preceding: ‘ as it were,’ says De W., ‘ setting foot on this foundation,’ or firm ground) they may lay hold of (ver. 12) that which is really (reff.) life (not merely the goods of this life, but the possession and substance of that other, which, as full of joy and everlasting, is the only true life).

20, 21. Concluding exhortation to Timotheus. O Timotheus (this personal address comes with great weight and solemnity: ‘ appellat familiariter ut filium, cum gravitate et amore,’ Beng.), keep the deposit (entrusted to thee: reff. 2 Tim. (μὴμειώσῃς · οὐκἔστισά · τὰἀλλότριαἐνεπιστεύθης · μηδὲνἐλαττώσῃς , Chrys. I cannot forbear transcribing from Mack and Wiesinger the very beautiful comment of Vincentius Lirinensis in his Commonitorium (a.d. 434), § 22 f. p. 667 f.: “ O Timothee, inquit, depositum custodi, devitans profanas vocum novitates (reading καινοφωνίας — see var. readd.). ‘ O!’ exclamatio ista et præ scientiæ est pariter et caritatis. Præ videbat enim futuros, quos etiam præ dolebat, errores. Quid est ‘ depositum custodi?’ Custodi, inquit, propter fures, propter inimicos, ne dormientibus hominibus superseminent zizania super illud tritici bonum semen quod seminaverat filius hominis in agro suo. ‘ Depositum,’ inquit, ‘ custodi.’ Quid est ‘ depositum?’ id est quod tibi creditum est, non quod a te inventum: quod accepisti, non quod excogitasti: rem non ingenii sed doctrinæ , non usurpationis privatæ sed publicæ traditionis: rem ad te perductam, non a te prolatam, in qua non auctor debes esse sed custos, non institutor sed sectator, non ducens sed sequens. ‘ Depositum,’ inquit, ‘ custodi:’ catholicæ fidei talentum inviolatum illibatumque conserva.

Quod tibi creditum est, hoc penes te maneat, hoc a te tradatur. Aurum accepisti, aurum redde.

Nolo mihi pro aliis alia subjicias, nolo pro auro aut impudenter plumbum, aut fraudulenter æ ramenta supponas: nolo auri speciem, sed naturam plane … Sed forsitan dicit aliquis: nullusne ergo in ecclesia Christi profectus habebitur religionis? Habeatur plane, et maximus … sed ita tamen, ut vere profectus sit ille fidei, non permutatio. Siquidem ad profectionem pertinet, ut in semetipsa unaquæ que res amplificetur,— ad permutationem vero, ut aliquid ex alio in aliud transvertatur. Crescat igitur oportet et multum vehementerque proficiat tam singulorum quam omnium, tam unius hominis quam totius ecclesiæ æ tatum et seculorum gradibus, intelligentia, scientia, sapientia: sed in suo duntaxat genere, in eodem scilicet dogmate, eodem sensu, eademque sententia. Imitetur animarum religio rationem corporum, quæ licet annorum processu numeros suos evolvant et explicent, eadem tamen quæ erant permanent … ” ), viz., the sound doctrine which thou art to teach in thy ministry in the Lord, cf. Colossians 4:17.

This is the most probable explanation. Some regard it as the ἐντολή above, ver. 14: some as meaning the grace given to him for his office, or for his own spiritual life: but ch. 1:18, compared with 2 Timothy 2:2, seems to fix the meaning as above.

Herodotus has a very similar use of the word, ix. 45, ἄνδρεςἈθηναῖοι , παραθήκηνὑμῖντὰδετὰἔπεατίθεμαι . And with this the following agrees: for it is against false doctrine that the Apostle cautions him), turning away from (cf. ἀποτρέπου , 2 Timothy 3:5) the profane babblings (empty discourses: so also 2 Timothy 2:16) and oppositions of that which is falsely-named (ὅτανγὰρπίστιςμὴᾖ , γνῶσιςοὐκἔστι .

Chrys.) knowledge (the true γνῶσις , being one of the greatest gifts of the Spirit to the Church, was soon counterfeited by various systems of hybrid theology, calling themselves by this honoured name. In the Apostle’ s time, the misnomer was already current: but we are not therefore justified in assuming that it had received so definite an application, as afterwards it did to the various forms of Gnostic heresy. All that we can hence gather is, that the true spiritual γνῶσις of the Christian was already being counterfeited by persons bearing the characteristics noticed in this Epistle. Whether these were the Gnostics themselves, or their precursors, we have examined in the Prolegomena to the Pastoral Epistles),

21. which some professing (ch. 2:10) erred (reff.: the indefinite past, as marking merely the event, not the abiding of these men still in the Ephesian church) concerning the faith.

22. Concluding benediction: The grace (of God,— ἡχ ., the grace for which we Christians look, and in which we stand) be with thee.

On the subscription we may remark, that the notice found in A al., owes it origin probably to the notion that this was the Epistle from Laodicea mentioned Colossians 4:16. So Thl.: τίςδὲἦνἡἀπὸΛαοδικείας ; ἡπρὸςΤιμόθεονπρώτη · αὕτηγὰρἐκΛαοδικείαςἐγράφη . The further addition in rec. al. betrays a date subsequent to the fourth century, when the province of Phrygia Pacatiana was first created. See Smith’ s Dict, of Geography, art. Phrygia, circa finem.