Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.

“"Piety," which is the end for which thou art to "exercise thyself" (1Ti 4:7), is the essential thing: the means are secondary. having promise, &c.--Translate as Greek, "Having promise of life, that which now is, and that which is to come."”

This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance.

“This verse (Greek), "faithful is the saying, " &c. confirms the assertion as to the "promise" attached to "godliness," 1Ti 4:8, and forms a prefatory introduction to 1Ti 4:10, which is joined to 1Ti 4:9 by "For." So 2Ti 2:11.”

To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.

“If God is in a sense "Saviour" of unbelievers (1Ti 2:4, that is, is willing to be so everlastingly, and is temporally here their Preserver and Benefactor), much more of believers.”

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

“Ac 13:1-3). with . . . laying on of . . . hands--So in Joshua's case (Nu 27:18-20; The gift was connected with the symbolical act of laying on hands.”

Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

“The minister must be first his own scholar before he can be another's teacher. profiting--Greek, "progress" towards perfection in the Christian life, and especially towards the fullest realization of the ideal of a Christian minister (1Ti 4:12).”

Honor the widows who are truly widows.

“Those really desolate; not like those (1Ti 5:4) having children or relations answerable for their support, nor like those (in 1Ti 5:6) "who live in pleasure"; but such as, from their earthly desolation as to friends, are most likely to trust wholly in God, persevere…”

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight…

“She has a claim on her own children, prior to her claim on the Church; let them fulfil this prior claim which she has on them, by sustaining her and not burdening the Church.”

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

“"Faith does not set aside natural duties, but strengthens them" [BENGEL]. worse than an infidel--because even an infidel (or unbeliever) is taught by nature to provide for his own relatives, and generally recognizes the duty; the Christian who does not so, is worse (Mt 5:46…”

A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man,

“For the restriction to widows above sixty would then be needless and harsh, since many widows might be in need of help at a much earlier age; as also the rule that the widow must not have been twice married, especially since he himself, below…”

and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.

“The widow-presbyteresses, moreover, engaged to remain single, not as though single life were holier than married life (according to Rome's teaching), but because the interests of Christ's cause made it desirable (see on 1Ti 3:2).”

At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should…

“Ac 19:19, "curious," the same Greek. Curiosity usually springs from idleness, which is itself the mother of garrulity [CALVIN]. speaking--not merely "saying." The subject-matter, as well as the form, is involved in the Greek word [ALFORD]. which they ought not-- (Tit 1:11).”

For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

“For--For in the case of some this result has already ensued; "Some (widows) are already turned aside after Satan," the seducer (not by falling away from the faith in general, but) by such errors as are stigmatized in 1Ti 5:11-13, sexual passion, idleness, &c., and…”

Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

“The transition from the widow presbyteresses (1Ti 5:9) to the presbyters here, is natural. rule well--literally, "preside well," with wisdom, ability, and loving faithfulness, over the flock assigned to them.”

For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

“The Gospel according to Luke was probably in circulation then about eight or nine years. However, it is possible "Scripture saith" applies only to the passage quoted from De 25:4; and then his quotation will be that of a common proverb, quoted also by the…”

Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

“But Timothy's entertaining an accusation against anyone is a different case, where the object was not judicially to punish, but to admonish: here he might ordinarily entertain it without the need of two or three witnesses; but not in the case of an elder, since…”

Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

“So ELLICOTT and WIESINGER. ALFORD thus: Timothy was of a feeble frame (see on 1Co 16:10, 11), and prone to timidity in his duties as overseer where vigorous action was needed; hence Paul exhorts him to take all proper means to raise his bodily condition…”

The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later.

“Both alike "cannot be hid"; the former class in the case of bad and good are manifest already; the latter class in the case of both are not manifest now, but shall be so at the final judgment.”

he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,

“He is proud--literally, "wrapt in smoke"; filled with the fumes of self-conceit (1Ti 3:6) while "knowing nothing," namely, of the doctrine which is according to godliness (1Ti 6:3), though arrogating pre-eminent knowledge (1Ti 1:7). doting about--literally, "sick about"; the opposite of "wholesome" (1Ti 6:3).”

Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.

“Not merely contentment is great gain (a sentiment of the heathen CICERO [Paradox 6], "the greatest and surest riches"), but "piety with contentment"; for piety not only feels no need of what it has not, but also has that which exalts it above what it…”

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

“And--Greek, "But." In contrast to the greedy gain-seekers (1Ti 6:5). having--so long as we have food. (The Greek expresses "food sufficient in each case for our continually recurring wants" [ALFORD]).”

Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

“The falling into it is what we are to pray against, "Lead us not into temptation" (Jas 1:14); such a one is already in a sinful state, even before any overt act of sin.”

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.

“Fight the good fight--BIRKS thinks this Epistle was written from Corinth, where contests in the national games recurred at stated seasons, which will account for the allusion here as in 1Co 9:24-26. Contrast "strifes of words" (1Ti 6:4).”

He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

“The term used in the New Testament for "immortal," which does not occur, is "incorruptible." "Immortality" is found in 1Co 15:53, 54. dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto--After life comes mention of light, as in Joh 1:4.”

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides…

“Resuming the subject from above, 1Ti 6:5, 10. The immortality of God, alone rich in glory, and of His people through Him, is opposed to the lust of money (compare 1Ti 6:14-16).”