Albert Barnes

As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines

“As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus - It is clear from this, that Paul and Timothy had been laboring together at Ephesus, and the language accords with the supposition that Paul had been compelled to leave before he had completed what he…”

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.

“Desiring to be teachers of the law - That is, to have the credit and reputation of being well versed in the law of Moses, and qualified to explain it to others.”

I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.

“Who was before a blasphemer - This does not mean that Paul before his conversion was what would now be regarded as an open blasphemer - that he was one who abused and reviled sacred things, or one who was in the habit of profane…”

This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.

“This is a faithful saying - Greek, “Faithful is the word,” or doctrine - ὁ λογος ho logos. This verse has somewhat the character of a parenthesis, and seems to have been thrown into the midst of the narrative because the mind of the apostle…”

Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

“Now unto the king eternal - This ascription of praise is offered to God in view of the mercy which he had shown to so great a sinner.”

holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.

“Holding faith - Fidelity to the cause in which you are enlisted - as a good soldier should do.”

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—

“I exhort, therefore - Margin, “desire.” The word exhort, however, better expresses the sense of the original. The exhortation here is not addressed particularly to Timothy, but relates to all who were called to lead in public prayer; 1Ti 2:8.”

This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

“For this is good and acceptable - That is, it is good and acceptable to God that we should pray for all people. The reason is, that he desires their salvation, and hence it is agreeable to him that we should pray for it.”

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

“For there is one God - This is a reason for offering prayer for all people, and for the declaration 1Ti 2:4 that God desires that all people should be saved.”

For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles.

“Whereunto - Greek, “Unto which;” that is, to the bearing of which testimony I am appointed. I am ordained - Greek, “I am placed or constituted” - ἐτέθην etethēn.”

Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,

“In like manner also - That is, with the same propriety; with the same regard to what religion demands. The apostle had stated particularly the duty of men in public worship 1Ti 2:8, and he now proceeds to state the duty of women.”

A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness.

“Let the woman learn in silence - Listen attentively to instruction, without attempting to teach in public; see the notes on 1Co 14:35.”

For Adam was formed first, and then Eve.

“For Adam was first formed, then Eve - The apostle, in this verse, and the following, gives reasons why a woman should occupy a subordinate situation, and not usurp authority.”

Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

“Notwithstanding she shall be saved - The promise in this verse is designed to alleviate the apparent severity of the remarks just made about the condition of woman, and of the allusion to the painful facts of her early history.”

This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.

“This is a trite saying - Greek, “Faithful is the word” - the very phrase which is used in 1Ti 1:15; see the notes on that verse. The idea here is, that it was worthy of credence; it was not to be doubted.”

not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

“Not given to wine - Margin, “Not ready to quarrel and offer wrong, as one in wine.” The Greek word (πάροινος paroinos) occurs in the New Testament only here and in Tit 1:7. It means, properly, “by wine;” i.”

For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

“For if a man know not how to rule - This is a beautiful and striking argument. A church resembles a family. It is, indeed, larger, and there is a greater variety of dispositions in it than there is in a family.”

Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.

“Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without - Who are without the church; that is, of those who are not Christians.”

They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

“Holding the mystery of the faith - On the word “mystery,” see notes on 1Co 2:7. It means that which had been concealed, or hidden, but which was now revealed.”

In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.

“Even so must their wives be grave - Chrysostom, Theophylact, Grotius, Bloomfield, and many others, suppose that by the word “wives,” here, (γυνᾶικας gunaikas), the apostle means “deaconesses.” Clarke supposes that it refers to women in general.”

For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

“For they that have used the office of a deacon well - Margin, “ministered.” The Greek word is the same as deacon, meaning ministering, or serving in this office. The sense would be well expressed by the phrase, “deaconizing well.””

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things

“These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly - That is, he hoped to come there to give instructions personally, or to finish, himself, the work which he had commenced in Ephesus, and which had been interrupted by his being driven…”

in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and…

“But if I tarry long - Paul appears to have been uncertain how long circumstances would require him to be absent. He expected to return, but it was possible that his hope of returning soon would be disappointed.”

They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

“Forbidding to marry - That is, “They will depart from the faith through the hypocritical teaching - of those who forbid to marry;” see notes on 1Ti 4:2.”

because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

“For it is sanctified by the word of God - By the authority or permission of God. It would be profane or unholy if he had forbidden it; it is made holy or proper for our use by his permission, and no command of “man”…”