An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...

CHAP. I.

BEside•• the Inscription which is contained in the two first verses: There are three parts of the Chapter: In the first hee enjoyns Timothy, to observe the right method and course of teaching, and to suppress the per∣verse Teachers of the Law, to vers. 12.

In the second hee asserts his Apostleship, that with autho∣rity it might bee avouched by Timothy, as hee had com∣manded, to vers. 18.

In the third hee encourages Timothy to carry himself stout∣ly in the discharge of his Ministery.

Vers. 1. Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ by the Com∣mandement of God our Saviour, and Lord Iesus Christ, which is our hope.

The Inscription of the Epistle, wherein (1) That hee might win authority to this Epistle, Paul affirms that in writing of it, hee fulfilled his Apostolical Embassage for Christ (2) Hee confirms his Apostleship by a special command from God the Father, (whom hee calls the Saviour, because hee is the Author of our Salvation) who had called him to the office of an Apostle, and used him in the execution of his office about the present mat∣ter hee was in hand with. (3) Hee confirms his Apostle∣ship from the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom hee calls our hope, because the Author, the meritorious cause, the object, and the finisher of our hope.

Vers. 2. Unto Timothy my own Son in the Faith; Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God our Father, and Iesus Christ our Lord.

Timothy, to whom this Epistle is written, is called the Son of the Apostle, not simply, but in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Faith, because hee was his Disciple, and as the Son represents the Fa∣ther in face and manners, so Timothy resembled Paul in Doctrine and an holy conversation.

In his salutation hee wishes to Timothy (1) Grace, i. e. the renovation of the Image of God, from the fountain of Gods free good will. (2) Mercy, i. e. free remission of sins, because hee knew that the holy young man, af∣fected with the sense of his sins, with many tears did dai∣ly prostrate himself before God. (3) Peace, i. e. Quiet∣ness of conscience, and joy from the apprehension of di∣vine favour, and finally a compleat felicity in the life to come, which is comprehended under peace.

Vers. 3. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other Doctrine.

The first part of the Chapter follows, touching the

right manner of teaching, wherein after hee had con∣firmed to Timothy, not an ordinary Episcopacy in the Church of Ephesus, but a special, temporary and extra∣ordinary Commission, hee repeats the command given him, about restraining certain perverse Zelots of the Law, and admonishing them that they teach no Doctrine diverse from that which is Apostolical. In prescribing of which the Apostle chuses to use words of beseeching and intreating, rather than to speak imperiously, that hee might supply the stead of Timothy, who could scarcely bee loosed from the most sweet society of Paul (not for a time) even by the intreaties of the Apostle.

Vers. 4. Neither give he••d to fables, and endless genea∣logies, which minister questions, rather than godly e∣difying, which is in Faith: so do.

For example: Hee commands that Fables and Jewish Genealogies bee avoided, i. e. newly devised opinions (or traditions besides the holy Scriptures) and curious spe∣culations, about unnecessary things, such are very many Talmudical and Cabali••tical, such also are to bee found amongst the School-men.

Endless] The Reasons of his admonition are six.

Reas. 1. Because those vain speculations are idle, and endless, whereof there is no use.

Which rather] Reas. 2. Because they beget curious and contentious questions, nor do they promote the knowledge of piety, which lead unto God, for edification proceeds not from probable and dubious questions, but by the solid beleeving of the Word of God.

Vers. 5. Now the end of the Commandement is chari∣ty out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and of Faith unfeigned.

Reas. 3. Because those Teachers that are wholly ex∣ercised in discussing of smaller matters, which may bee fetched from the Law, though they seem to bee carried with a Zeal to the Law of Moses, yet they refer not the Law to its true end, or to the proper scope of the whole Scripture, which is, that men by the Law being led to the knowledge of sin, and deserved misery, may seriously betake themselves to Christ, by Faith unfeigned.

Charity] This Faith hee describes from a three-fold effect. (1) That true Faith in the propitia••ory blood of Christ renders the conscience good, or peaceable and quiet. (2) That the conscience being now pacified, Faith will not suffer that the heart bee any longer de∣lighted in evil, but rather endeavours after purity, and that it may bee purged from all evil affections. (3) That true Faith is not idle in that which is good, but stirs up a man diligently to labour in the obedience of every Precept, by love to God and men.

Vers. 6. From which some having sw••rved, have turned aside unto vain jangling,

Reas. 4. Confirming the former, Because it is appro∣ved by the experience of some, that unless Teachers ab∣stain from their vain curiosities, and intend more ear∣nestly the edification of m••n, in Faith and Charity, they cannot but bee drawn away from the simplicity of Do∣ctrine, into vain babling; for where there is vanity, there verity is not.

Vers. 7. Desiring to bee Teachers of the Law, under∣standing neither what they say, nor whereof they af∣firm.

Reas. 5. Because it is also known by experience, that those ambitious Teachers, while they affect a new kind of teaching, and seek after applause from their knowledge of the Law, betrayed their ignorance, whilst they un∣derstood not the questions whereof, nor the Arguments from which they disputed; Therefore avoiding idle spe∣culations, Timothy was to take care, that in the Aposto∣lick Doctrine, or the manner of teaching it, no innova∣tion was made by any one.

Vers. 8. But wee know that the Law is good, if a man use it lawfully.

Hee answers an Objection: Therefore are thou against the divine Law, who so earnestly rebukest the Teacher•• of it? The Apostle answers, that hee did not at all detract from the Law (reproving those that abuse it) but ra∣ther commends and teaches the right use of the Law.

Vers. 9. Knowing this, that the Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly, and for sinners, for unholy and prophane, for murderers of Fathers, and murderers of Mothers, for man-slayers;

10. For Whore-mongers, for them that defile themselves with man-••ind, for men-stealers, for lyars, for per∣jur•••• persons, and if there ••ee any other thing that is contrary to sound Doctrine,

11. According to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Hee confirms the Answer with three Reasons: The first is, from the end of the Law, or the Legal Cove∣nant, so far as it is opposed to the Gospel; the Law is established, not that the faithful, justified by Faith in Christ, should bee justified by the Law (as the per∣verse Teachers of the Law intended) but that the un∣righteous, and unbeleevers, as are all wicked and pro∣phane persons, condemned by the Law, might acknow∣ledge their unrighteousness, and deserved condemnation, repent, and flye unto Christ: Therefore the Apostles Doctrine detracts nothing from the Law.

According] Reas. 2. All sins which are forbidden by the Law, are also prohibited by the sound Doctrine of the glorious Gospel; and all the duties which are com∣manded by the Law, are earnestly urged and taught in the Gospel, so much as concerns the performance of our obedience unto God, the demonstration of our thank∣fulness, and the proof of the sincerity of Faith in the fruits of holiness: Therefore the Doctrine of the Gos∣pel detracts nothing from the Law.

Committed] Reas. 3. I an Apostle, to whom the Gospel of God (in himself most blessed, and the Author of all blessings towards us) is committed, do no less urge this wholesome doctrine of Sanctification, and all good works which in the Law are commanded, than any Ze∣lot of the Law, although not to the same end: There∣fore the Apostolical Doctrine nothing at all detracts from the Law.

The Second Part.

Vers. 12. And I thank Iesus Christ our Lord, who hath enabled ••ee: for that hee coun••ed mee faithful, putting mee into the Ministery,

The second part of the Chapter follows, which con∣tains the vindication of the authority of his Apostleship a∣gainst those that denied it, or in consideration of his fore-acted life did lessen it, and that with thanksgiving for the Grace that was bestowed upon him: Seven Rea∣sons are laid down of his thanksgiving; All which prove that his Apostleship is in no wise to bee disparaged.

Reas. 1. Christ by the grace of his Spirit hath strengthened mee an infirm man, and heretofore a slave to sin, the Devil, and the world, appointed an Apostle by him, that as a leader, I should with an invincible cou∣rage, stand up for the defence of the Gospel, against all the insul••••tions of the world▪ the flesh, ••nd the Devil: Therefore thanks are to bee given for my confirmation in the Apostleship, so little reason is there, that any thing should bee detracted.

Accounted mee faithful] Reas. 2. Christ hath endu∣ed mee, being appointed an Apostle, with the gifts of his Spirit, and hath so far honoured mee, that hee made and accounted mee his faithful friend, who would com∣mit to mee the Gospel, to bee dispensed to the souls of his Elect: Therefore my authority is not to bee dispa∣raged.

Hath appointed] Reas. 3. Christ the Lord hath pla∣ced mee in the Minist••ry, i. e. in the office of an Apostle, that I might wholly attend to the preaching of the Gos∣pel,

separated from the world to this business: who is it therefore that dares detract from my authority?

Vers. 13. Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecu∣ter, and injurious, but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbeleef.

Reas. 4. Notwithstanding the wickedness, and the e∣vil deserts of my former life, God is not hindred from ta∣king mee into his service, who was in times past an ene∣my: Who therefore will disparage my authority upon the wickedness of my former conversation?

Ignorantly] Hee prevents an Objection; Some man might say, how could so open an enemy of Christ obtain pardon?

Hee answers that his sin was out of ignorance, and so hee proves that it was not that unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost, or a malicious insurrection against Christ, which the devilish enemies of the Gospel, knowingly practise, in opposition to the Kingdome of Christ; but sin committed out of ignorance, while hee was yet an unbeleever.

Vers. 14. And the Grace of our Lord was exceed∣ing abundant with Faith and Love, which is in Christ Iesus.

Reas. 5. God hath vouchsafed mee more than an or∣dinary measure of Faith and Love, and hath abundant∣ly shewed forth his Grace in the bestowing of his saving gifts: Therefore there is no reason that any one should detract from my Apostolick authority, from my former conversation.

Vers. 15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Iesus came into the world to sav•• sinners, of whom I am chief.

Reas. 6. Christ through his eminent mercy towards mee, hath effected this, that being taught by experience, I should bee drawn first (as the chief of sinners in my o••n opinion) to subscribe to that sentence of the Gospel concerning the person of Christ, his office, comming, virtue, merit and efficacy to save sinners, so that I cannot but declare openly to the whole world the truth and be∣nefit of that sentence: for by experience I speak: It is a faithful saying, &c. Therefoee no disparagement ought to bee offered to my authority, who not onely beleeve my self what is committed to mee, but I also preach what I have experience of.

Vers. 16. Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in mee first, Iesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering for a patern to them that should here∣after beleeve on him to life everlasting.

Reas. 7. The Lord hath set mee for an example of his long-suffering, mercy, goodness, and admirable grace, that sinners to the end of the world, who shall hear of my wonderful conversion, and the bounty of God to∣wards mee, may bee abundantly confirmed in the love of Christ, and expect the like goodness towards them∣selves, looking upon mee, as a type, and exemplar of un∣speakable mercy: Therefore am I most fit to bee made a Preacher of that grace; and far bee it from any one to detract from my authority, because of my former con∣versation, while I was an unbeleever.

Vers. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, in∣visible, the onely wise God, bee honour, and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Th•• Apostle now affected with the greatness of the benefit, not satisfying himself in the amplification of it, with a pathetick thanksgiving, he concludes his speech, with an illustrious celebration of Christ, concerning whom hee produces four Epithites, which are so agreeable unto Christ, that they may also bee ascribed to the Fa∣ther, and to the Holy Ghost. 1 God, or Christ as God, is King of ages▪ i. e. by an Hebraism, the eternal King, that hee may bee distinguished from mundane and mortal Kings. 2 Immortal, because God is without all alteration, change, and corruption, and alwayes the same like himself▪ 3 Invisible, because hee cannot bee com∣prehended by the eyes, or any senses, because their facul∣ties are corporeal, and circumscribed with narrow limits▪ 4 Hee is onely wise, because hee alone knows all things, not by objects, nor by [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] ratiocination, but in, and by, and of himself, as one in whom are all things, as in their first efficient, and their ultimate end. Hence the Apostle ascribes honour to God, or a testification to his eminency, Glory, a celebrious fame with praise, which is eternally due unto God, adding Amen, as a seal of his faith and willingness to glorifie God.

The Third Part of the Chapter.

Vers. 18. This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the Prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.

The third part contains his Exhortation to Timothy, that hee would behave himself couragiously in his Mi∣nistry, viz. That hee would war a good warfare, or that hee would prepare himself to fight against all enemies, and all impediments, and would use all diligence that the Church might receive no detriment by any one.

According] The Arguments of his Exhortation are two:

Arg. 1. Because certain things are foretold Prophe∣tically of pious men, by a kinde of divine instinct, which afford great hope of famous actions to bee done by thee (as appears out of Act. 16.2.) Therefore war a good warfare.

Vers. 19. Holding fast faith and a good conscience, which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwrack.

Hee explains his Exhortation, by shewing the manner of warring, to wit, that hee would defend faithfully, and profess sound Doctrine, and by an holy life according to the truth preached by him, that hee would maintain the light and peace of a good conscience, which would in∣wardly acquaint him with his duty towards God, and men, if hee would attend to it, and would administer comfort to him, if hee suffered for defending the truth.

Which being put away] Arg. 2. Because ••••less thou behave thy self with a good courage, and observest this law of war concerning the joyning of a good consci∣ence, with the profession of the faith, there is danger upon the loss of a good conscience that thou make ship∣wrack of sound Doctrine, or the profession of the faith, as some have done: Therefore war a good warfare. In the mean time hee casts in no scruple here to Timothy a∣bout the uncertainty of perseverance, but uses the best and most effectual argument to perswade him to it. For it makes nothing in Hypothetical propositions, that the parts of it, taken by themselves, and Categorically, may bee false or impossible; It is sufficient to the truth of the rule annexed, that the connexion of the parts is cer∣tain.

Vers. 20. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

The Apostle names two Apostates for example, Hy∣meneus and Alexander, whom hee had not long before delivered unto Satan, i. e. excommunicated; For they that are cast out from the face of God, shining in the Church, fall into the kingdome of Satan, as to the con∣dition of the outward man, or the enjoyment of Church priviledges. The end of this Excommunication hee shews to bee this, That being led to repentance, they might return to a right knowledge and profession of the truth; For the Apostle doth not declare any thing concerning the total loss of faith in Christ, but on the contrary hopes for their repentance, and their possible salvation hereafter.