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 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, befieved on in the world, received up into glory.

CHAPTER IV.

NOW the Spirit speaketh ex

pressly, 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 exercise 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.

10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

11 These things command and teach.

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Ver. 16. Justified in the Spirit. Christ was justified in the Spirit when the Holy Ghost descended upon him at baptism, when it wrought mighty miracles in him,— when it raised him from the dead,

and when it began that series of wonderful operations by which his church has been established against the power of its enemies.

Ver. 1. Dan. xi. 35: Matth. xxiv. 5-12; 2 Pet. ii. 1.-Ver. 8. Ps. Ixxxiv. 11.-Ver. 12. If the latest date assigned to this epistle be correct, Timothy was now about thirty-three years of age,

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy prosting may appear to all.

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

CHAPTER V.

REBUKE not an elder, but

entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite

the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities.

24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judg ment; and some men they follow after.

25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

CHAPTER VI.

acceptable before God.

5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one

man,

10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

11 But the younger widows refuse for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not.

14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, the labourer is worthy of his reward.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 211 charge thee before God, and

Ver. 1. The caution and wisdom displayed in the following precepts prove how closely the apostle considered the minutest eircumstance which regarded the good management of the church. - Ver. 3. Widows indeed: that is, really destitute, and without protection.Ver. 18. Deut. xxv. 4; Luke, x. 7.

under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall

-Ver. 24. The guilt of many is manifest, and, if they continue in the same course, it is evident that, according to the plain word of God, they will become amenable to eternal condemnation: others carry a fair face before their fellowcreatures, and enjoy the reputation of fulfilling all the duties of life, but inwardly they are the prey of Satan, and when the eye of the world is off them, they commit the excesses which others are not backward to enjoy openly and in contempt of shame. Other sins, moreover, are committed which do not at first appear sins. Of this nature is avarice, and such like vices; but at the day of judgment all will alike be exposed and punished, and whether before known or not, the guilt of each individual sinner will then be made. manifest in all its gross enormity.

Ver. 1. It was very probable that those who were slaves, on becoming Christians, might consider themselves set free from their bondage by the dignity they had acquired as members of the church of Christ. St Paul here cautions such persons against the injury which their acting on this idea might do the cause of the gospel. Their faith was not to alter their condition in this world, but to secure them freedom and glory in the next.-Ver. 9. If the

into temptation, and a share, and anto many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction

and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, Ŏ man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto

warnings here given were necessary in the days of the apostle, how much more must they be so when Christiaus compose that world from which they were formerly kept separate by considerations of pecular holiness, and the obligations of a distinguishing faith!

thou art also called, and hast pro- | fessed a good profession before many witnesses.

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession,

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high

minded, nor trust in uncertai riches, but in the living God, whe giveth us richly all things to enjoy,

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

21 Which some professing, hare erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygis Pacatiana.

CHAPTER I.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ

by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers uight and day;

4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filied with joy;

5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God;

Ver. 5. Acts, xvi. 1. Ver. 7. Nothing can be nobler than the sentiment expressed in this verse, coming as it did from the lips of one suffering the sorrows of imprisonment, and hourly expecting to undergo a violent death. The spirit of the gospel both ennobles and sustains; gives confidence as well as purity; and shews the working of power, of love, and of a sound mind, under the most trying circumstances in which we can be placed. Hence those afflictions which would demonstrate the weakness of other systems, display the glory of the gospel in a fuller light; and where the followers of other teachers perish, the disciples of

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began ;

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel :

11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ. Jesus.

14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

Christ gain their most signal triumphs. Ver. 9. On this rests the whole system of redemption. God's grace was given us in Christ before the world began, because he from the first determined on saving us through his sufferings. The plan of salvation was known unto him from everlasting; but not unto the world, till it was made manifest by the appearing of Christ

CHAPTER II.

THOU therefore, my son, be

strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead, according to my gospel:

9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Ver. 2. Titus, i. 5. Ver. 5. That is, if a minister of Christ desires to obtain the prize of his calling, he must preach the pure gospel, and live according to the law of his Master. Ver. 6. This may either mean, that, if the labour of preaching the truth be sincerely attended to, he who so labours sha!! be the first partaker in the glories of the kingdom of heaven; or that he who laboureth in a work so difficult as that of establishing the gos pel, must expect to be among the first to experience the fruits, that is, the sufferings and afflictions incident to such an undertaking. Ver. 8. My gospel: that is, the doctrines of the gospel as I have delivered them, by the direction of

11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth A canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus ;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared 'unto every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient;

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover

themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

CHAPTER III.

THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come : 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

the Holy Spirit.-Ver. 11. Rom. vi. 5-8. Ver. 12. Matth. x. 33.Ver. 18. The false teachers here mentioned endeavoured to prove, that a resurrection from sin unte righteousness was the only resurrection taught by Christ, and that, as that took place when a person was converted, no other was to be looked for. Such a doctrine might well overthrow the faith of some: for it contradicted the plain words of Christ, and the very object of the gospel dispensation.

The

Ver. 2. For men: that is, those who profess to believe and obey the gospel as their rule of life. awful picture which the apostle gives of the corruption of Christian manners, and of the loss of spiritu. ality amid the vices which formerly

3 Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts;

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no forther: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

CHAPTER IV.

I CHARGE thee therefore before

God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the

characterized heathens and idolaters, should often be compared with the present state of the Christian world; and though we have much to rejoice at, it will be found, that, in many respects, our age answers to the perilous times depicted in this passage. Ver. 8. Exod. vii. 11. Ver. 11. Acts, xiii. 45-50; xiv. 5, 6, 19.-Ver. 15. It was this which prepared Timothy for conversion to the gospel. The lesson here taught ought not to be lost sight of by parents. Let them teach their children to study, not merely read, the Scriptures. This they may do, by pointing out to them the wonderful demonstrations they contain of God's power and love; the strength which holiness has given to good men; the destruction which has attended the workers of iniquity. When they come to matters of doctrine, let them be shewn the dependence of one truth. upon another, and in all points let it be told them, that as the Holy Spirit inspired the writers of Scripture, his aid should be sought in reading it.

dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word; be fastang in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-sulfering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come wher they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5 But watch thon in all things. endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

6 For I am now ready to be effered, and the time of my departure is

at hand.

71 have fought a good fight, F have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shal give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

9 Do thy diligence to come shortly

unto me:

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee= for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, bu especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; the Lord reward him according to his works:

15 Of whom be thou ware also: for he hath greatly withstood our words.

16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that alk the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion,

lo And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly king

Ver. 1. The solemnity of this charge was befitting the situation of St Paul, and the importance of the duties which Timothy had to fulfil. The apostle foresaw that corruption and heresy would daily increase in the church, and that no time was to be lost in sowing the seed of the gospel deep and wide.Ver. 8. If the reader compare this passage with the third chapter of the Epistle to the Philippians, he will find how the apostle had grown in the confidence of salvation. There he speaks as having not yet

attained unto the resurrection of the dead" here he speaks as seeing the crown of righteousness laid up for him; and from this example we may learn, that to perseverance in holiness is attached the inestimable reward of assurance of glory. -Ver. 16. This refers to his examination before the Roman magis

trates.

CHAPTER I.

a servant of God, and an PAUL, apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me, according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

6 If any be blameless, the hushand of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly.

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate:

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine beth to exhort and to convince the gain

savers.

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies,

13 This witness is true: wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14 Not giving heed to Jewish

Ver. 5. Acts, xiv. 23; 1 Tim. iii. Ver. 12. The name of this proplet, or poet rather, was Epimenides. The same name was applied to poets and prophets by the Greeks and Romans; but Epimenides did actually pretend to the faculty of foretelling events.

fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

CHAPTER II.

BUT speak thou the things which

become sound doetrine:

2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as become th holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own hushands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded.

7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptuess, gravity, sincerity,

8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.

12 Teaching us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all ini

Ver. 4. 1 Tim. v. 14. - Ver. 7. 1 Tim. iv. 12.-Ver. 8. 1 Tim. vi. 3. Ver. 14. It is to be observed

quity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

15 These things speak, and ex. hort, and rebuke with all authority, Let no man despise thee.

CHAPTER III.

PUT them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers. to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That, being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

here, that the apostle brings prominently forward that great truth which is so often forgotten by Christians, when speaking of the redemption effected for them by Christ. That he died to free them from the penalties of sin they are ready enough apprehend; but they often utterly forget that he died to redeem them from iniquity, and to purify them as a peculiar people. Where this effect of redemption does not take place, there the former will not: where sin is not cleansed, there sin has no atone ment.

Ver. 1. Rom. xiii. 1.Ver. 2. This is an essential in Christian conduct, but it is little cultivated. Evil speaking comprehends every species of slander, and of erroneous judgment, springing from a disposition to slander. The washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, are alone effectual for the cure of this distempered tendency of the mind; and they who would be Christians may know that they are still strangers to the gospel so long as they yield to the habit of speaking evil against any man.