our Lord Jesus Christ, and to is godliness: from such withthe doctrine which is according draw thyself.

to godliness;

6 But godliness with content

4 He is proud, knowing noth-ment is great gain. ing, but doting about questions 7 For we brought nothing and strifes of words, whereof into this world, and it is cercometh envy, strife, railings, tain we can carry nothing evil surmisings,

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain

sake of sordid gain.'" — Macknight.
And consent not to wholesome words.
Words or doctrines tending to the
quiet and moral health of the commu-
nity. Even the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Either words commu-
nicated by our Lord to his apostle, or
words according to the spirit mani-
fested by our Lord. T According to
godliness. Tending to peace and piety.
4. He is proud.
"The idea is,
that he has no proper knowledge of
the nature of the gospel, and yet he
values himself on a fancied superior
acquaintance with its principles.".
Barnes. T Doting, &c. Or, sick, as
in the margin. The Jews were pro-
verbially subject to a morbid desire to
discuss abstruse and unprofitable ques-
tions. Ch. i. 4. The Targums abound
in such fine-spun speculations. En-
vy, strife. See notes on Rom. i. 29; 1
Çor. iii. 3. ¶ Railings. Insolent and
reproachful language. ¶ Evil surmis-
ings. Unjust suspicions.

out.

8 And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.

dispute with them, contend with them,
but turn away from them; that is,
after the first and second admonition."
- Theophylact. It has been well
observed, that although, in the fore-
going verses, the apostle exhorts ser-
vants to be quiet and obedient to their
masters, and condemns those who
would excite them to insubordina-
tion, he does not forbid the most
earnest appeals to the masters, to con-
vince them that it is sinful to hold
their fellow-men in bondage, and that
it is their duty to let them go free.
6. But godliness with contentment is
great gain.
is given to the foregoing position, as
to make it express a weighty truth;—
meaning that religion, if accompanied
with that contented spirit, which it
alone, through a true faith, teaches,
produces the truest gain," &c.
Bloomfield. "As for that opinion of
theirs, that Christianity is an advan-
tageous calling, though it be far from
true, nay, impious, in that sense where-
unto they apply it, yet in this other it
is most orthodox, that a Christian life,
with a competent sufficient subsistence,
is all the wealth in the world, and
much better than a great deal more
wealth."- Hammond.

"Here such a skilful turn

5. Perverse disputings. Or, gallings one of another, as in the margin. Supposing that gain is godliness. "Who think that godliness is a gainful trade."- Conybeare. Many suppose the apostle to mean that these Judaizers believed and taught that whatever tended to pecuniary profit should be 7. For we brought nothing, &c. A regarded as true religion. Another similar sentiment is expressed in Job interpretation, and very possibly the i. 21, and it is here introduced to correct one, is, that "the Judaizers enforce the exhortation in the next had no view in teaching but to draw money from their disciples." - Macknight. From such withdraw thyself. This clause is omitted in some of the MSS., but it is at least very ancient, because it is explained by the early Greek commentators. "He said not,

verse.

8. And having food and raiment, &c. The idea is, if our necessary wants be supplied, we should not eagerly desire more. If more be granted, we should accept it with thankfulness, and strive to make a

9 But they that will be rich | erred from the faith, and pierced fall into temptation and a snare, themselves through with many and into many foolish and hurt- sorrows. ful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have

profitable use of it, whether for our own mental or moral improvement or physical comfort, or for promoting the welfare of others; but remembering that all earthly possessions and enjoyments must he surrendered at death, we should be content with a moderate competency.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of

understood as literally true, for there are evils which cannot be traced to the love of money, the evils growing out of ambition, and intemperance, and debasing lusts, and of the hatred of God and of goodness. The expression here is evidently a popular saying, 'all sorts of evils grow out of the love 9. But they that will be rich. Or, of money;' similar expressions often Those who are inordinately anxious to occur in the classic writers. See be rich. A determination of the will Wetstein in loc. and numerous examis implied. T Fall into temptation and ples quoted by Pricæus. Of the truth a snare. Those who earnestly pursue of this, no one can doubt. No small riches are often sorely tempted to dis- part of the crimes of the world can be honesty, and sometimes to the com- traced to the love of gold. But it mission of infamous crimes, for the deserves to be remarked here, that the accomplishment of their purpose. apostle does not say that money is They become so involved in the the root of all evil,' or that it is an meshes of iniquity, that it is difficult evil at all. It is the 'love' of it which to retrace their steps; and they not is the source of evil." Barnes. unfrequently suffer legal penalties. Which while some coveted after. Evi"The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands." Ps. ix. 16. And into many foolish and hurtful lusts. | "Desires, such as the love of wealth creates. They are foolish, as being not such as an intelligent and immortal being should pursue; and they are hurtful, as being injurious to morals, to health, and to the soul." — Barnes. Which drown men in destruction and perdition. A strong metaphor, drawn from a ship sinking in the depth of the sea. The ruling desire to be rich "causeth us to make shipwreck of faith, and a good conscience, and whatsoever else is sacred, when they cannot be held without the loss of that wealth we so love and admire; whence Cicero notes that there is no duty so holy or solemn, which covetousness is not wont to impair and violate."" Whitby.

10. For the love of money is the root of all evil. "That is, of all kinds of evil. This is evidently not to be

Have

dently referring to some professed
Christians, known to Timothy, and
cited as examples of the evil.
erred from the faith. Or, been seduced
from the faith, as in the margin.,
They have been seduced into practices
utterly inconsistent with the faith
which they profess. ¶ And pierced
themselves through with many sorrows.
The necessary consequence of sin is
pain and remorse. Sooner or later it
befalls every transgressor. The word
in the original is very emphatic, sig-
nifying to pierce entirely through, as
when a spit is thrust through meat for
roasting.

11. Flee these things, &c. Namely, the allurements of wealth. T And follow after righteousness, &c. Practise the virtues which are opposite to the vices before mentioned. See note on Gal. v. 22, 23.

12. Fight the good fight of faith. Be faithful in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, and in defending it against

faith, lay hold on eternal life, | mandment without spot, unre whereunto thou art also called, bukeable, until the appearing

of our Lord Jesus Christ:

and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 15 Which in his times he shall 13 I give thee charge in the shew, who is the blessed and sight of God, who quickeneth only Potentate, the King of all things, and before Christ kings, and Lord of lords; Jesus, who before Pontius Pi- 16 Who only hath immortallate witnessed a good confes-ity, dwelling in the light which sion; no man can approach unto; 14 That thou keep this com- whom no man hath seen, nor

adherence to the truth, and in the
performance of their duty.
"Keep
close to the evangelical rule, and con-
tinue constant without any blemish
or blame, without any falling off in
time of hazard, as some others are
observed to do, until that coming of
Christ, so often spoken of and expected
according to his promise, for the rescue
of his faithful servants, and destruc-
tion of the persecutors and the cow-
Hammond.

the assaults of its adversarics. Be faithful to its spirit, and illustrate it both by word and deed. The imagery is drawn from the Grecian gaines. Lay hold on eternal life. Secure that blessing which cometh through faith and obedience. See notes on John xvii. 3; 1 Cor. ix. 25. TWhereunto thou art also called, &c. That is, to faith in the gospel of Christ, and to all its blessed fruits. It is generally supposed that there is a further allu-ardly.”. sion to his call to the gospel ministry. And hast professed, &c. He did not attempt to conceal his faith, but proclaimed it openly, and earnestly exhorted others to embrace it. See 16. Who only hath immortality. "That is, immortality self-derived; implying that he alone can confer it; as it is said, John v. 26, that he hath life in himself.""- - Bloomfield.

notes on Acts xx. 27; xxi. 13; % Tim. iv. 7, 8.

15. Which in his times, &c. Which God will manifest at the proper time; but the precise period is known only to him. See note on Matt. xxiv. 36.

The word

13. Wh quickeneth all things. Who gives life to all; the source of all life and energy. Who beforeábavariav, immortality, does not ocPontius Pilate witnessed a good confes- cur elsewhere in the New Testament, sion. Or, profession, as in the margin. except in 1 Cor. xv. 53, 54. "By the Our Lord bore an open testimony to attributes mentioned in this verse, the truth, when arraigned before God is distinguished from all created Pilate, John xviii. 28-40, although he natures whatever. He alone hath life knew that his life was in peril. A without beginning and ending. If any more noble example of faithfulness to other being hath life without end, it is the truth could not have been pre- by his gift. And as life without besented to Timothy. ginning and ending implies immuta14. Without spot and unrebukable.bility, God alone is immutable as well That is, observe and perform what is as immortal. Hence he is called commanded, so faithfully and conscien- apláρros eòs, the incorruptible or tiously, that thou mayest be without immutable God,' Rom. i. 23, and stain or rebuke. Until the appearing ap0iprw, incorruptible, unperishable,' of our Lord Jesus Christ. See notes 1 Tim. i. 17.. Macknight. T Dwellon 1 Thess. iii. 13; v. 2, 3. The ing in the light, &c. "Dwelling apostle frequently referred to a visible in light unapproachable."- Conymanifestation of divine power, at a beare. This figure of speech is comperiod then near at hand, when it was mon in the Scriptures. Whom no of the utmost importance that the man hath seen nor can see. God may be disciples should be found faithful in seen in his works, Ps. xix. 1, 2, or in

can see to whom be honour | against the time to come, that and power everlasting. Amen. they may lay hold on eternal 17 Charge them that are rich life. in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy ;

20. Avoiding profane and vain bab-¶ blings. See note on ch. i. 4. T And oppositions of science falsely so called. 'Religion has nothing to fear from true science, and the minister of the gospel is not exhorted to dread that.