Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

“God extends His grace to men as they are guilty; His "mercy" to them as they are miserable [TRENCH]. Jesus Christ--The oldest manuscripts read the order, "Christ Jesus."”

or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.

“"Vain jangling" (1Ti 1:6, 7) of would-be "teachers of the law." godly edifying--The oldest manuscripts read, "the dispensation of God," the Gospel dispensation of God towards man (1Co 9:17), "which is (has its element) in faith."”

The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

“1Ti 1:11), which was the sum and substance of the "charge" committed to Timothy wherewith he should "charge" his flock.”

for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

“Gospel grace is the only true means of sanctification as well as of justification. sound--healthy, spiritually wholesome (1Ti 6:3; 2:2), as opposed to sickly, morbid (as the Greek of "doting" means, 1Ti 6:4), and "canker" (2Ti 2:17).”

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.

“Paul's thanking God for this shows that the merit of his faithfulness was due solely to God's grace, not to his own natural strength (1Co 7:25). Faithfulness is the quality required in a steward (1Co 4:2).”

But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who…

“The Greek for "pattern" is sometimes used for a "sketch" or outline--the filling up to take place in each man's own case. believe on him--Belief rests ON Him as the only foundation on which faith relies.”

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

“"The only Potentate" (1Ti 6:15; Joh 5:44). for ever, &c.--See note, above. The thought of eternity (terrible as it is to unbelievers) is delightful to those assured of grace (1Ti 1:16) [BENGEL].”

Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,

“This charge--namely, "that thou in them (so the Greek) mightest war," that is, fulfil thy high calling, not only as a Christian, but as a minister officially, one function of which is, to "charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (1Ti 1:3).”

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

“The loss of good conscience entails the shipwreck of faith. Consciousness of sin (unrepented of and forgiven) kills the germ of faith in man [WIESINGER].”

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

“Some professing Christians looked down on all not Christians, as doomed to perdition; but Paul says all men are to be prayed for, as Christ died for all (1Ti 2:4-6). supplications--a term implying the suppliant's sense of need, and of his own insufficiency. prayers--implying devotion.”

for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

“"He is peaceable (Greek) who makes no disturbance; he is quiet (Greek) who is himself free from disturbance" [TITTMANN]. in all godliness--"in all (possible . . . requisite) piety" [ALFORD].”

who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

“Our prayers ought to include all, as God's grace included all. to come--They are not forced. unto the knowledge--Greek, "the full knowledge" or "recognition" (See on 1Co 13:12; Php 1:9). the truth--the saving truth as it is in, and by, Jesus (Joh 17:3, 17).”

A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness.

“She should not even put questions in the public assembly (1Co 14:35). with all subjection--not "usurping authority" (1Ti 2:12). She might teach, but not in public (Ac 18:26). Paul probably wrote this Epistle from Corinth, where the precept (1Co 14:34) was in force.”

For Adam was formed first, and then Eve.

“For--reason of the precept; the original order of creation. Adam . . . first--before Eve, who was created for him (1Co 11:8, 9).”

And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression.

“Adam was not deceived--as Eve was deceived by the serpent; but was persuaded by his wife. Ge 3:17, "hearkened unto . . . voice of . . . wife." But in Ge 3:13, Eve says, "The serpent beguiled me."”

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

“In this home sphere, not ordinarily in one of active duty for advancing the kingdom of God, which contradicts the position assigned to her by God, she will be saved on the same terms as all others, namely, by living faith.”

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

“The opposite of "patient" or (Greek) "forbearing," reasonable to others (see on Php 4:5). no striker--with either hand or tongue: not as some teachers pretending a holy zeal (2Co 11:20), answering to "not a brawler" or fighter (compare 1Ki 22:24; 2Ti 2:24, 25).”

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

“For--Greek, "But." the church--rather, "a church" or congregation. How shall he who cannot perform the lesser function, perform the greater and more difficult?”

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

“Their duty was to read the Scriptures in the Church, to instruct the catechumens in Christian truths, to assist the presbyters at the sacraments, to receive oblations, and to preach and instruct.”

Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.

“"And moreover," &c. [ALFORD]. be proved--not by a period of probation, but by a searching inquiry, conducted by Timothy, the ordaining president (1Ti 5:22), whether they be "blameless"; then when found so, "let them act as deacons."”

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

“Moreover, if the wives of the deacons were meant, there seems no reason for the omission of "their" (not in the Greek).”

A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.

“husbands of one wife--(See on 1Ti 3:2). ruling their children--There is no article in the Greek, "ruling children"; implying that he regarded the having children to rule as a qualification (1Ti 3:4;”

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

“As his hope was not very confident (1Ti 3:15), he provides for Timothy's lengthened superintendence by giving him the preceding rules to guide him. He now proceeds to give more general instructions to him as an evangelist, having a "gift" committed to him (1Ti 4:14).”

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

“In 2Th 2:3 (written earlier), the apostasy of the Jews from God (joining the heathen against Christianity) is the groundwork on which the prophecy rises; whereas here, in the Pastoral Epistles, the prophecy is connected with Gnostic errors, the seeds of which had already been…”

influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

“Professing to lead others to holiness, their own conscience is all the while defiled. Bad consciences always have recourse to hypocrisy.”