John Wesley

By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed…

“God was manifest in the flesh - In the form of a servant, the fashion of a man, for three and thirty years. Justified by the Spirit - Publicly "declared to be the Son of God," by his resurrection from the dead.”

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

“But the Spirit saith - By St. Paul himself to the Thessalonians, and probably by other contemporary prophets. Expressly - As concerning a thing of great moment, and soon to be fulfilled.”

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 priests, monks, and nuns to marry, and commanding all men to abstain from such and such meats at such and such times. Which God hath created to be received by them that know the truth - That all meats are now clean.”

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

“It is sanctified by the word of God - Creating all, and giving it to man for food. And by prayer - The children of God are to pray for the sanctification of all the creatures which they use.”

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.

“Because we trust - For this very thing the world will hate us. In the living God - Who will give us the life he has promised.”

Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

“To prevent this, Be a pattern in word - Public and private. In spirit - In your whole temper. In faith - When this is placed in the midst of several other Christian graces, it generally means a particular branch of it; fidelity or faithfulness.”

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.

“Neglect not - They neglect it who do not exercise it to the full. The gift - Of feeding the flock, of power, and love, and sobriety. Which was given thee by prophecy - By immediate direction from God.”

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

“True meditation is no other than faith, hope, love, joy, melted down together, as it were, by the fire of God's Holy Spirit; and offered up to God in secret.”

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

“For his own - Mother and grandmother, being desolate widows. Denied the faith - Which does not destroy, but perfect, natural duties. What has this to do with heaping up money for our children, for which it is often so impertinently alleged?”

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

“Let not a widow be chosen - Into the number of deaconesses, who attended sick women or travelling preachers. Under threescore - Afterwards they were admitted at forty, if they were eminent for holiness.”

But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,

“For when they are waxed wanton against Christ - To whose more immediate service they had addicted themselves.”

So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

“I counsel therefore the younger women - Widows or virgins, such as are not disposed to live single. To marry, to bear children, to guide the family - Then will they have sufficient employment of their own.”

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.

“I charge thee before God - Referring to the last judgment, in which we shall stand before God and Christ, with his elect, that is, holy, angels, who are the witnesses of our conversation.”

Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

“Lay hands suddenly on no man - That is, appoint no man to church offices without full trial and examination; else thou wilt be accessary to, and accountable for, his misbehaviour in his office. Keep thy self pure - From the blood of all men.”

If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,

“If any teach otherwise - Than strict practical holiness in all Its branches. And consent not to sound words - Literally, healthful words; words that have no taint of falsehood, or tendency to encourage sin.”

and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

“Supposing that gain is godliness - Thinking the best religion is the getting of money: a far more common case than is usually supposed.”

Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.

“But godliness with content - The inseparable companion of true, vital religion. Is great gain - Brings unspeakable profit in time, as well as eternity.”

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

“Is the root - The parent of all manner of evils. Which some coveting have erred - Literally, missed the mark. They aimed not at faith, but at something else.”

But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

“Follow after righteousness - The whole image of God; though sometimes this word is used, not in the general, but in the particular, acceptation, meaning only that single branch of it which is termed justice.”

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 of faith - Not about words. Lay hold on eternal life - Just before thee. Thou hast confessed the good confession - Perhaps at his baptism: so likewise, ver. 13; but with a remarkable variation of the expression.”

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…

“Not to think better of themselves for their money, or anything it can purchase. Neither to trust in uncertain riches - Which they may lose in an hour; either for happiness or defense. But in the living God - All the rest is dead clay.”

treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

“Treasuring up for themselves a good foundation - Of an abundant reward, by the free mercy of God. That they may lay hold on eternal life - This cannot be done by alms-deeds; yet they "come up for a memorial before God," Acts x, 4.”

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”

“Keep that which is committed to thy trust - The charge I have given thee, chap. i, 18. Avoid profane empty babblings - How weary of controversy was this acute disputant!”