692 lines
32 KiB
HTML
692 lines
32 KiB
HTML
<HTML>
|
|
<HEAD>
|
|
<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [First Timothy III].</TITLE>
|
|
<meta name="aesop" content="information">
|
|
<meta name="description" content=
|
|
"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
|
|
<meta name="keywords" content=
|
|
"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
|
|
</HEAD>
|
|
<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
|
|
<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
|
|
on the Whole Bible</h1>
|
|
<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
|
|
</h3>
|
|
</center>
|
|
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC54002.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC54004.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (Begin Body) -->
|
|
|
|
<CENTER>
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T T I M O T H Y.</B></FONT>
|
|
<BR>
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. III.</FONT>
|
|
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
|
|
</CENTER>
|
|
|
|
<FONT SIZE=-1>
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In this chapter our apostle treats of church-officers. He specifies,
|
|
|
|
I. The qualifications of a person to be admitted to the office of a
|
|
bishop,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:1-7">ver. 1-7</A>.
|
|
|
|
II. The qualifications of deacons
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:8-10">ver. 8-10</A>),
|
|
|
|
and of their wives
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:11">ver. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
again of the deacons,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:12,13">ver. 12, 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
III. The reasons of his writing to Timothy, whereupon he speaks of the
|
|
church and the foundation-truth professed therein,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:14-16">ver. 14, to the end</A>.</P>
|
|
</FONT>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_1"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_2"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_3"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_4"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_5"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_6"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_7"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Duties of Bishops and Deacons.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 64.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 This <I>is</I> a true saying, If a man desire the office of a
|
|
bishop, he desireth a good work.
|
|
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,
|
|
vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to
|
|
teach;
|
|
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
|
|
but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
|
|
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in
|
|
subjection with all gravity;
|
|
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall
|
|
he take care of the church of God?)
|
|
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into
|
|
the condemnation of the devil.
|
|
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are
|
|
without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The two epistles to Timothy, and that to Titus, contain a
|
|
scripture-plan of church-government, or a direction to ministers.
|
|
Timothy, we suppose, was an evangelist who was left at Ephesus, to take
|
|
care of those whom the Holy Ghost had made bishops there, that is, the
|
|
presbyters, as appears by
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:28">Acts xx. 28</A>,
|
|
|
|
where the care of the church was committed to the presbyters, and they
|
|
were called bishops. It seems they were very loth to part with Paul,
|
|
especially because he told them they should <I>see his face no more</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:38">Acts xx. 38</A>);
|
|
|
|
for their church was but newly planted, they were afraid of undertaking
|
|
the care of it, and therefore Paul left Timothy with them to set them
|
|
in order. And here we have the character of a gospel minister, whose
|
|
office it is, as a bishop, to preside in a particular congregation of
|
|
Christians: <I>If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a
|
|
good work,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The ministry is a work. However the office of a bishop may be now
|
|
thought a good preferment, then it was thought a good work.
|
|
|
|
1. The office of a scripture-bishop is an office of divine appointment,
|
|
and not of human invention. The ministry is not a creature of the
|
|
state, and it is a pity that the minister should be at any time the
|
|
tool of the state. The office of the ministry was in the church before
|
|
the magistrate countenanced Christianity, for this office is one of the
|
|
great gifts Christ has bestowed on the church,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:8-11">Eph. iv. 8-11</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. This office of a Christian bishop is a work, which requires
|
|
diligence and application: the apostle represents it under the notion
|
|
and character of a work; not of great honour and advantage, for
|
|
ministers should always look more to their work than to the honour and
|
|
advantage of their office.
|
|
|
|
3. It is a good work, a work of the greatest importance, and designed
|
|
for the greatest good: the ministry is conversant about no lower
|
|
concerns than the life and happiness of immortal souls; it is a good
|
|
work, because designed to illustrate the divine perfections in bringing
|
|
many sons to glory; the ministry is appointed to open men's eyes, and
|
|
to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto
|
|
God, &c.,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:18">Acts xxvi. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
4. There ought to be an earnest desire of the office in those who would
|
|
be put into it; if a man desire, he should earnestly desire it for the
|
|
prospect he has of bringing greater glory to God, and of doing the
|
|
greatest good to the souls of men by this means. This is the question
|
|
proposed to those who offer themselves to the ministry of the church of
|
|
England: "Do you think you are moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you
|
|
this office?"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. In order to the discharge of this office, the doing of this work,
|
|
the workman must be qualified.
|
|
|
|
1. A minister must be blameless, he must not lie under any scandal; he
|
|
must give as little occasion for blame as can be, because this would be
|
|
a prejudice to his ministry and would reflect reproach upon his office.
|
|
|
|
2. He must be the husband of one wife; not having given a bill of
|
|
divorce to one, and then taken another, or not having many wives at
|
|
once, as at that time was too common both among Jews and Gentiles,
|
|
especially among the Gentiles.
|
|
|
|
3. He must be vigilant and watchful against Satan, that subtle enemy;
|
|
he must watch over himself, and the souls of those who are committed to
|
|
his charge, of whom having taken the <I>oversight,</I> he must improve
|
|
all opportunities of doing them good. A minister ought to be vigilant,
|
|
because our adversary the devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking
|
|
whom he may devour,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+5:8">1 Pet. v. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
4. He must be sober, temperate, moderate in all his actions, and in the
|
|
use of all creature-comforts. Sobriety and watchfulness are often in
|
|
scripture put together, because they mutually befriend one another:
|
|
<I>Be sober, be vigilant.</I>
|
|
|
|
5. He must be of good behaviour, composed and solid, and not light,
|
|
vain, and frothy.
|
|
|
|
6. He must be given to hospitality, open-handed to strangers, and ready
|
|
to entertain them according to his ability, as one who does not set his
|
|
heart upon the wealth of the world and who is a true lover of his
|
|
brethren.
|
|
|
|
7. Apt to teach. Therefore this is a preaching bishop whom Paul
|
|
describes, one who is both able and willing to communicate to others
|
|
the knowledge which God has given him, one who is fit to teach and
|
|
ready to take all opportunities of giving instructions, who is himself
|
|
<I>well instructed in the things of the kingdom of heaven,</I> and is
|
|
communicative of what he knows to others.
|
|
|
|
8. No drunkard: <I>Not given to wine.</I> The priests were not to drink
|
|
wine when they went in to minister
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+10:8,9">Lev. x. 8, 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
lest they should drink and pervert the law.
|
|
|
|
9. No striker; one who is not quarrelsome, nor apt to use violence to
|
|
any, but does every thing with mildness, love, and gentleness. The
|
|
servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all, &c.,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:24">2 Tim. ii. 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
10. One who is not greedy of filthy lucre, who does not make his
|
|
ministry to truckle to any secular design or interest, who uses no
|
|
mean, base, sordid ways of getting money, who is dead to the wealth of
|
|
this world, lives above it, and makes it appear he is so.
|
|
|
|
11. He must be patient, and not a brawler, of a mild disposition.
|
|
Christ, the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, is so. Not apt to be
|
|
angry or quarrelsome; as not a striker with his hands, so not a brawler
|
|
with his tongue; for how shall men teach others to govern their tongues
|
|
who do not make conscience of keeping them under good government
|
|
themselves?
|
|
|
|
12. Not covetous. Covetousness is bad in any, but it is worst in a
|
|
minister, whose calling leads him to converse so much with another
|
|
world.
|
|
|
|
13. He must be one who keeps his family in good order: <I>That rules
|
|
well his own house,</I> that he may set a good example to other masters
|
|
of families to do so too, and that he may thereby give a proof of his
|
|
ability to take care of the church of God: <I>For, if a man know not
|
|
how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of
|
|
God.</I> Observe, The families of ministers ought to be examples of
|
|
good to all others families. Ministers must have their children in
|
|
subjection; then it is the duty of ministers' children to submit to the
|
|
instructions that are given them.--<I>With all gravity.</I> The best
|
|
way to keep inferiors in subjection, is to be grave with them. Not
|
|
having his children in subjection with all austerity, but with all
|
|
gravity.
|
|
|
|
14. He must not be a novice, not one newly brought to the Christian
|
|
religion, or not one who is but meanly instructed in it, who knows no
|
|
more of religion than the surface of it, for such a one is apt to be
|
|
lifted up with pride: the more ignorant men are the more proud they
|
|
are: <I>Lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation
|
|
of the devil.</I> The devils fell through pride, which is a good reason
|
|
why we should take heed of pride, because it is a sin that turned
|
|
angels into devils.
|
|
|
|
15. He must be of good reputation among his neighbours, and under no
|
|
reproach from former conversation; for the devil will make use of that
|
|
to ensnare others, and work in them an aversion to the doctrine of
|
|
Christ preached by those who have not had a good report.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Upon the whole, having briefly gone through the qualifications of
|
|
a gospel-bishop, we may infer,
|
|
|
|
1. What great reason we have to cry out, as Paul does, <I>Who is
|
|
sufficient for these things?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:16">2 Cor. ii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Hic labor, hoc opus--This is a work indeed.</I> What piety, what
|
|
prudence, what zeal, what courage, what faithfulness, what watchfulness
|
|
over ourselves, our lusts, appetites, and passions, and over those
|
|
under our charge; I say, what holy watchfulness is necessary in this
|
|
work!
|
|
|
|
2. Have not the best qualified and the most faithful and conscientious
|
|
ministers just reason to complain against themselves, that so much is
|
|
requisite by way of qualification, and so much work is necessary to be
|
|
done? And, alas! how far short do the best come of what they should be
|
|
and what they should do!
|
|
|
|
3. Yet let those bless God, and be thankful, whom the Lord has enabled,
|
|
and counted faithful, putting them into the ministry: if God is pleased
|
|
to make any in some degree able and faithful, let him have the praise
|
|
and glory of it.
|
|
|
|
4. For the encouragement of all faithful ministers, we have Christ's
|
|
gracious word of promise, <I>Lo, I am with you always, even unto the
|
|
end of the world,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+28:20">Matt. xxviii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, if he be with us, he will fit us for our work in some measure,
|
|
will carry us through the difficulties of it with comfort, graciously
|
|
pardon our imperfections, and reward our faithfulness with a crown of
|
|
glory that fadeth not away,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+5:4">1 Pet. v. 4</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_8"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_13"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Qualifications of Deacons.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 64.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>8 Likewise <I>must</I> the deacons <I>be</I> grave, not doubletongued,
|
|
not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
|
|
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
|
|
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the
|
|
office of a deacon, being <I>found</I> blameless.
|
|
11 Even so <I>must their</I> wives <I>be</I> grave, not slanderers,
|
|
sober, faithful in all things.
|
|
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their
|
|
children and their own houses well.
|
|
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase
|
|
to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith
|
|
which is in Christ Jesus.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the character of deacons: these had the care of the
|
|
temporal concerns of the church, that is, the maintenance of the
|
|
ministers and provision for the poor: they served tables, while the
|
|
ministers or bishops gave themselves only to the ministry of the word
|
|
and prayer,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+6:2,4">Acts vi. 2, 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Of the institution of this office, with that which gave occasion to it,
|
|
you have an account in
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+6:1-7">Acts vi. 1-7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now it was requisite that deacons should have a good character, because
|
|
they were assistants to the ministers, appeared and acted publicly, and
|
|
had a great trust reposed in them. They must be <I>grave.</I> Gravity
|
|
becomes all Christians, but especially those who are in the office in
|
|
the church. <I>Not doubled-tongued;</I> that will say one thing to one
|
|
and another thing to another, according as their interests leads them:
|
|
a double tongue comes from a double heart; flatterers and slanderers
|
|
are double-tongued. <I>Not given to much wine;</I> for this is a great
|
|
disparagement to any man, especially to a Christian, and one in office,
|
|
unfits men for business, opens the door to many temptations. <I>Not
|
|
greedy of filthy lucre;</I> this would especially be bad in the
|
|
deacons, who were entrusted with the church's money, and, if they were
|
|
covetous and greedy of filthy lucre, would be tempted to embezzle it,
|
|
and convert that to their own use which was intended for the public
|
|
service. <I>Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, The mystery of faith is best held in a pure conscience. The
|
|
practical love of truth is the most powerful preservative from error
|
|
and delusion. If we keep a pure conscience (take heed of every thing
|
|
that debauches conscience, and draws us away from God), this will
|
|
preserve in our souls the mystery of faith. <I>Let these also first be
|
|
proved,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is not fit that the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of
|
|
any, till they have been first proved, and found fit for the business
|
|
they are to be entrusted with; the soundness of their judgments, their
|
|
zeal for Christ, and the blamelessness of their conversation, must be
|
|
proved. Their wives likewise must have a good character
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
they must be of a grave behaviour, not slanderers, tale-bearers,
|
|
carrying stories to make mischief and sow discord; they must be
|
|
<I>sober and faithful in all things,</I> not given to any excess, but
|
|
trusty in all that is committed to them. All who are related to
|
|
ministers must double their care to walk as becomes the gospel of
|
|
Christ, lest, if they in any thing walk disorderly, the ministry be
|
|
blamed. As he said before of the bishops or ministers, so here of the
|
|
deacons, they must be <I>the husband of one wife,</I> such as had not
|
|
put away their wives, upon dislike, and married others; they must
|
|
<I>rule their children and their own houses well;</I> the families of
|
|
deacons should be examples to other families. And the reason why the
|
|
deacons must be thus qualified is
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>)
|
|
|
|
because, though the office of a deacon be of an inferior degree, yet it
|
|
is a step towards the higher degree; and those who had served tables
|
|
well the church might see cause afterwards to discharge from that
|
|
service, and prefer to serve in preaching the word and in prayer. Or it
|
|
may be meant of the good reputation that a man would gain by his
|
|
fidelity in this office: <I>they will purchase to themselves great
|
|
boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.</I> Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. In the primitive church there were but two orders of ministers or
|
|
officers, <I>bishops and deacons,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:1">Phil. i. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
After-ages have invented the rest. The office of the bishop,
|
|
presbyter, pastor, or minister, was confined to prayer and to the
|
|
ministry of the word; and the office of the deacon was confined to, or
|
|
at least principally conversant about, serving tables. Clemens Romanus,
|
|
in his epistle to the Christian (<I>cap.</I> 42, 44), speaks very fully
|
|
and plainly to this effect, that the apostles, foreknowing, by our Lord
|
|
Jesus Christ, that there would arise in the Christian church a
|
|
controversy about the name <I>episcopacy,</I> appointed the
|
|
forementioned orders, bishops and deacons.
|
|
|
|
2. The scripture-deacon's main employment was to serve tables, and not
|
|
to preach or baptize. It is true, indeed, that Philip did preach and
|
|
baptize in Samaria
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+8:4-25">Acts viii.</A>),
|
|
|
|
but you read that he was an evangelist
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:8">Acts xxi. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and he might preach and baptize, and perform any other part of the
|
|
ministerial office, under that character; but still the design of the
|
|
deacon's office was to mind the temporal concerns of the church, such
|
|
as the salaries of the ministers and providing for the poor.
|
|
|
|
3. Several qualifications were very necessary, even for these inferior
|
|
officers: <I>The deacons must be grave,</I> &c.
|
|
|
|
4. Some trial should be made of persons' qualifications before they are
|
|
admitted into office in the church, or have any trust committed to
|
|
them: <I>Let these also first be proved.</I>
|
|
|
|
5. Integrity and uprightness in an inferior office are the way to be
|
|
preferred to a higher station in the church: <I>They purchase to
|
|
themselves a good degree.</I>
|
|
|
|
6. This will also give a man great boldness in the faith, whereas a
|
|
want of integrity and uprightness will make a man timorous, and ready
|
|
to tremble at his own shadow. <I>The wicked fleeth when no man
|
|
pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+28:1">Prov. xxviii. 1</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ti3_16"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Mystery of Godliness.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 64.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee
|
|
shortly:
|
|
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest
|
|
to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the
|
|
living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
|
|
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
|
|
God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of
|
|
angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world,
|
|
received up into glory.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
He concludes the chapter with a particular direction to Timothy. He
|
|
hoped shortly to come to him, to give him further directions and
|
|
assistance in his work, and to see that Christianity was well planted,
|
|
and took root well, at Ephesus; he therefore wrote the more briefly to
|
|
him. But he wrote <I>lest he should tarry long, that</I> Timothy
|
|
<I>might know how to behave himself in the house of God,</I> how to
|
|
conduct himself as became an evangelist, and the apostle's substitute.
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Those who are employed in the house of God must see to it that they
|
|
behave themselves well, lest they bring reproach upon the house of God,
|
|
and that worthy name by which they are called. Ministers ought to
|
|
behave themselves well, and to look not only to their praying and
|
|
preaching, but to their behaviour: their office binds them to their
|
|
good behaviour, for any behaviour will not do in this case. Timothy
|
|
must know how to behave himself, not only in the particular church
|
|
where he was now appointed to reside for some time, but being an
|
|
evangelist, and the apostle's substitute, he must learn how to behave
|
|
himself in other churches, where he should in like manner be appointed
|
|
to reside for some time; and therefore it is not the church of Ephesus,
|
|
but the catholic church, which is here called <I>the house of God,
|
|
which is the church of the living God.</I> Observe here,
|
|
|
|
1. God is the living God; he is the fountain of life, he is life in
|
|
himself, and he gives life, breath, and all things to his creatures; in
|
|
him we live, and move, and have our being,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+17:25,28">Acts xvii. 25, 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. The church is the house of God, he dwells there; the Lord has chosen
|
|
Zion, to dwell there. "This is my rest, here will I dwell, for I have
|
|
chosen it;" there may we see God's power and glory,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+63:2">Ps. lxiii. 2</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. It is the great support of the church that it is the church of the
|
|
living <I>God,</I> the true God in opposition to false gods, dumb and
|
|
dead idols.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. As the church of God, it is <I>the pillar and ground of truth;</I>
|
|
that is, either,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The church itself is the pillar and ground of truth. Not that the
|
|
authority of the scriptures depends upon that of the church, as the
|
|
papists pretend, for truth is the pillar and ground of the church; but
|
|
the church holds forth the scripture and the doctrine of Christ, as the
|
|
pillar to which a proclamation is affixed holds forth the proclamation.
|
|
<I>Even to the principalities and powers in heavenly places is made
|
|
known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:10">Eph. iii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Others understand it of Timothy. He, not he himself only, but he
|
|
as an evangelist, he and other faithful ministers, are the pillars and
|
|
ground of truth; it is their business to maintain, hold up, and
|
|
publish, the truths of Christ in the church. It is said of the apostles
|
|
that <I>they seemed to be pillars,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+2:9">Gal. ii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
[1.] Let us be diligent and impartial in our own enquiries after truth;
|
|
let us buy the truth at any rate, and not think much of any pains to
|
|
discover it.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Let us be careful to keep and preserve it. "<I>Buy the truth, and
|
|
sell it not</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:23">Prov. xxiii. 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
do not part with it on any consideration."
|
|
|
|
[3.] Let us take care to publish it, and to transmit it safe and
|
|
uncorrupted unto posterity.
|
|
|
|
[4.] When the church ceases to be the pillar and ground of truth, we
|
|
may and ought to forsake her; for our regard to truth should be greater
|
|
than our regard to the church; we are no longer obliged to continue in
|
|
the church than she continues to be the pillar and ground of truth.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. But what is the truth which the churches and ministers are the
|
|
pillars and grounds of? He tells us
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>)
|
|
|
|
that <I>without controversy great is the mystery of godliness.</I> The
|
|
learned Camero joins this with what goes before, and then it runs thus:
|
|
"The pillar and ground of the truth, and <I>without controversy great
|
|
is the mystery of godliness.</I>" He supposes this mystery to be the
|
|
pillar, &c. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Christianity is a mystery, a mystery that could not have been
|
|
found out by reason or the light of nature, and which cannot be
|
|
comprehended by reason, because it is above reason, though not contrary
|
|
thereto. It is a mystery, not of philosophy or speculation; but of
|
|
godliness, designed to promote godliness; and herein it exceeds all the
|
|
mysteries of the Gentiles. It is also a revealed mystery, not shut up
|
|
and sealed; and it does not cease to be a mystery because now in part
|
|
revealed. But,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) What is the mystery of godliness? It is Christ; and here are six
|
|
things concerning Christ, which make up the mystery of godliness.
|
|
|
|
[1.] That he is God manifest in the flesh: <I>God was manifest in the
|
|
flesh.</I> This proves that he is God, the eternal Word, that was made
|
|
flesh and was manifest in the flesh. When God was to be manifested to
|
|
man he was pleased to manifest himself in the incarnation of his own
|
|
Son: <I>The Word was made flesh,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:14">John i. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He is <I>justified in the Spirit.</I> Whereas he was reproached as
|
|
a sinner, and put to death as a malefactor, he was raised again by the
|
|
Spirit, and so was justified from all the calumnies with which he was
|
|
loaded. <I>He was made sin for us, and was delivered for our
|
|
offences;</I> but, being raised again, he was justified in the Spirit;
|
|
that is, it was made to appear that his sacrifice was accepted, and so
|
|
he rose again for our justification, as he was delivered for our
|
|
offences,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+4:25">Rom. iv. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+3:18">1 Pet. iii. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
[3.] He was <I>seen of angels.</I> They worshipped him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:6">Heb. i. 6</A>);
|
|
|
|
they attended his incarnation, his temptation, his agony, his death,
|
|
his resurrection, his ascension; this is much to his honour, and shows
|
|
what a mighty interest he had in the upper world, that angels
|
|
ministered to him, for he is the Lord of angels.
|
|
|
|
[4.] He is <I>preached unto the Gentiles.</I> This is a great part of
|
|
the mystery of godliness, that Christ was offered to the Gentiles a
|
|
Redeemer and Saviour; that whereas, before, salvation was of the Jews,
|
|
the partition-wall was now taken down, and the Gentiles were taken in.
|
|
<I>I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+13:47">Acts xiii. 47</A>.
|
|
|
|
[5.] That he was <I>believed on in the world,</I> so that he was not
|
|
preached in vain. Many of the Gentiles welcomed the gospel which the
|
|
Jews rejected. Who would have thought that the world, which lay in
|
|
wickedness, would believe in the Son of God, would take him to be their
|
|
Saviour who was himself crucified at Jerusalem? But, notwithstanding
|
|
all the prejudices they laboured under, he was believed on, &c.
|
|
|
|
[6.] He was <I>received up into glory,</I> in his ascension. This
|
|
indeed was before he was believed on in the world; but it is put last,
|
|
because it was the crown of his exaltation, and because it is not only
|
|
his ascension that is meant, but his sitting at the right hand of God,
|
|
where he ever lives, making intercession, and has all power, both in
|
|
heaven and earth, and because, in the apostasy of which he treats in
|
|
the following chapter, his remaining in heaven would be denied by those
|
|
who pretend to bring him down on their altars in the consecrated
|
|
wafers. Observe, <I>First,</I> He who was manifest in flesh was God,
|
|
really and truly God, God by nature, and not only so by office, for
|
|
this makes it to be a mystery. <I>Secondly,</I> God was manifest in
|
|
flesh, real flesh. <I>Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh
|
|
and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:14">Heb. ii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, what is more amazing, he was manifest in the flesh after all flesh
|
|
had corrupted his way, though he himself was holy from the womb.
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> Godliness is a mystery in all its parts and branches,
|
|
from the beginning to the end, from Christ's incarnation to his
|
|
ascension. <I>Fourthly,</I> It being a great mystery, we should rather
|
|
humbly adore it, and piously believe it, than curiously pry into it, or
|
|
be too positive in our explications of it and determinations about it,
|
|
further than the holy scriptures have revealed it to us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
|
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC54002.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC54004.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
|
|
|
|
|
|
<!--Matthew_Henry's_Commentary_on_the_Whole_Bible:_First_Timothy_III.--><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank"><b>Back to Bibles Net . Com - Online Christian Library </b></a><br>
|
|
<a href="http://biblesnet.com/download.html" target="_blank"><br>
|
|
<b>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Free Download</b></a><br>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<A HREF="http://biblesnet.com/contactus.html" target="_blank"><strong>Contact Us </strong></A><br>
|
|
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
</BODY>
|
|
</HTML>
|