John Wesley

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

“According to the commandment of God - The authoritative appointment of God the Father. Our saviour - So styled in many other places likewise, as being the grand orderer of the whole scheme of our salvation.”

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

“Grace, mercy, peace - St. Paul wishes grace and peace in his epistles to the churches. To Timotheus he adds mercy, the most tender grace towards those who stand in need of it.”

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

“Whereas the end of the commandment - of the whole Christian institution. Is love - And this was particularly the end of the commandment which Timotheus was to enforce at Ephesus, ver. 3, 18. The foundation is faith; the end, love.”

Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk.

“From which - Love and a good conscience. Some are turned aside - An affectation of high and extensive knowledge sets a man at the greatest distance from faith, and all sense of divine things.”

We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father…

“But against the lawless and disobedient - They who despise the authority of the lawgiver violate the first commandment, which is the foundation of the law, and the ground of all obedience.”

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

“Manstealers - The worst of all thieves, in comparison of whom, highwaymen and housebreakers are innocent. What then are most traders in negroes, procurers of servants for America, and all who list soldiers by lies, tricks, or enticements?”

that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

“According to the glorious gospel - Which, far from "making void," does effectually "establish, the law."”

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

“A reviler - Of his doctrine and people. But I obtained mercy - He does not say, because I was unconditionally elected; but because I did it in ignorance.”

And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

“And the grace - Whereby I obtained mercy. Was exceeding abundant with faith - Opposite to my preceding unbelief. And love - Opposite to my blasphemy, persecution, and oppression.”

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 - A most solemn preface. And worthy of all acceptation - Well deserving to be accepted, received, embraced, with all the faculties of our whole soul. Came into the world to save sinners - All sinners, without exception.”

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 I commit to thee - That thou mayest deliver it to the church. According to the prophecies concerning thee - Uttered when thou wast received as an evangelist, chap. iv, 14; probably by many persons, chap.”

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

“Which - Namely, a good conscience. Some having thrust away - It goes away unwillingly it always says, "Do not hurt me." And they who retain this do not make shipwreck of their faith. Indeed, none can make shipwreck of faith who never had it.”

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

“But true prayer is the vehemency of holy zeal, the ardour of divine love, arising from a calm, undisturbed soul, moved upon by the Spirit of God. Intercession is prayer for others.”

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

“Do you ask, "Why are not more converted?" We do not pray enough. Is acceptable in the sight of God our saviour - Who has actually saved us that believe, and willeth all men to be saved.”

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

“Who willeth seriously all men - Not a part only, much less the smallest part. This is treated of, ver. 5, 6. And, in order thereto, to come - They are not compelled.”

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

“For - The fourth verse is proved by the fifth; the first, by the fourth. There is one God - And they who have not him, through the one Mediator, have no God.”

who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.

“Who gave himself a ransom for all - Such a ransom, the word signifies, wherein a like or equal is given; as an eye for an eye, or life for life: and this ransom, from the dignity of the person redeeming, was more than equivalent…”

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension.

“And doubting - Which is contrary to faith. And wrath, or unholy actions, or want of faith in him we call upon, are the three grand hindrances of God's hearing our petitions.”

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,

“Not with curled hair, not with gold - Worn by way of ornament. Not with pearls - Jewels of any kind: a part is put for the whole.”

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

“And Adam was not deceived - The serpent deceived Eve: Eve did not deceive Adam, but persuaded him. "Thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife," Gen. iii, 17. The preceding verse showed why a woman should not "usurp authority over the man."”

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

“Yet she - That is, women in general, who were all involved with Eve in the sentence pronounced, Gen. iii, 16.”

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

“A bishop - Or pastor of a congregation. Must be blameless - Without fault or just suspicion.”

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

“He ought also to have a good report - To have had a fair character in time past. From them that are without - That are not Christians.”

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

“Not desirous of filthy gain - With what abhorrence does he everywhere speak of this! All that is gained (above food and raiment) by ministering in holy things is filthy gain indeed; far more filthy than what is honestly gained by raking kennels, or emptying…”

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…

“That thou mayest know how to behave - This is the scope of the epistle. In the house of God - Who is the master of the family. Which is - As if he had said, By the house of God, I mean the church.”