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. V.

IN this Chapter hee instructs Timothy, how hee ought to carry himself in private admonitions towards all, and how towards Widows that distribute the Alms of the Church, and how towards Presbyters: The parts of the Chapter are three. In the first private Admoni∣tions are handled, to vers. 3. The second part concerns Widows, to vers. 17. The third concerns Presbyters, to the end.

Vers. 1. Rebuke not an Elder, but intreat him as a Father▪ and the younger men as Brethren.

As touching the first part of the Precept, concerning private admonitions, there are four branches▪ of it, (1) Concerning the Elder sort, whom hee would have gently dealt withall, with a modest exhortation, rather than a severe reprehension; that honour may bee given to their age, according to the fift Precept. (2) That the younger sort bee admonished, with the expression of brotherly love.

Vers. 2. The Elder Women as Mothers, the Younger as Sisters, with all purity.

(3) That the Elder Women bee admonished with due respect to their age, that the admonition may bee more acceptable. (4) That the Younger Women bee ad∣monished as Sisters: But hee adds, with all purity, or expressions of chastity, left by occasion of their private discourse, whilst admonishing, the Devil ensnare them in their chastity or credit, whether of Timothy admonishing, or the woman that is admonished.

The Second Part.

Vers. 3. Honour Widows that are Widows indeed.

The second part of the Chapter follows, wherein hee gives seven Precepts concerning Ele••mosynary Widows, who were to bee kept by the publick charges of the Church.

Precept 1. That hee honour Widows indeed, i. e. that hee take care they bee provided for by the publick char∣ges of the Church, and so hee should preserve their re∣putation, lest being reduced to poverty, they become contemptible.

Vers. 4. But if any Widow have Children, or Nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to re∣quite their Parents; for that is good and acceptable before God.

Precept 2. That hee should not burthen the Church in providing for those Widows, who might bee provided for by their Children or Nephews, but take care that the Children and Nephews, performed the duty of Piety, first, towards their own families, their Mothers and Grandmothers: There are two Reasons of the Precept.

R. (1) Because so they should requite their Parents, who had trained up their children with this hope, that their Children (if need were) might 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, after the manner of Storks, nourish and cherish their a∣ged and weak Parents, destitute of sustenance.

For that] R. (2) Because this duty performed to∣wards Parents, is acceptable to God, and enjoyned by him.

Vers. 5. Now shee that is a Widow indeed, and deso∣late, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day,

Precept 3. That hee observe in the choice of Wi∣dows, that shee which is chosen bee not without the qualifications of a true Widow, or a Christian Widow to bee provided for by the Church: Here hee sets down four qualifications. (1) It is required that shee bee alone, i. e. destitute of Children and Nephews, and all hu∣mane supply. (2) That shee bee faithful, trusting in God, not getting her living by evil courses, but relying upon God. (3) That shee bee daily given to the exer∣cises of Piety.

Vers. 6. But shee that liveth in pleasure, is dead while shee liveth.

(4) That shee bee not of the number of wanton Wi∣dows, who indulge themselves in idleness and pleasures, not regarding the exercises of godliness.

Dead] The reason of this qualification is given, Be∣cause those unprofitable women, are as it were, dead while they live, both in respect to God, whom they do not serve, and in respect to humane society, whom they no waies indeavour to benefit by their work.

Vers. 7. And these things give in charge, that they may bee blameless.

Hee shuts up the Precept of urging any further quali∣fications of Widows indeed, taking a reason from the end, that all Widows whoever they are, learn to live un∣blameably.

Vers. 8. But if any provide not for his own, and spe∣cially for those of his own house, hee hath denyed the Faith, and is worse than an Infidel.

Precept 4. Of censuring those who refuse to provide for Widows, their Mothers or Grand-mothers, as it is prescribed in the second Precept of this Chapter, viz. That they should bee excommunicated by the Church, and accounted deserters of the Christian doctrine, for Heathens, or Infidels, till they repent, which is the con∣sequence of excommunication.

Vers. 9. Let not a widow be taken into the number, under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

Precept 5. Of observing three other Qualifications requisite in the admission of Widows to the common table, that they may bee sustained by the publick char∣ges. (1) That shee bee a Widow sixty years old at the least, at which age the desires of the flesh begin to abate, and are unable by the labour of their hands to get their living. (2) That she hath been the wife of one husband, or hath not violated the Laws of Marriage, whereupon it may bee hoped shee is a chaste and continent woman.

Vers. 10. Well reported of for good works, if shee have brought up children, if shee have lodged strangers, if shee have washed the Saints feet, if shee have re∣lieved the afflicted, if shee have diligently followed every good work.

(3) That shee have a testimonial of her piety, de∣clared in her deeds and works, especially in these five, which may demonstrate her meet to serve the poor, when they are sick, viz. (1) If shee bring up her children honestly. (2) If shee hath been given to hospitality. (3) If shee have submitted to the lowest offices of cha∣rity, or was ready to submit, even to wash the Saints feet, if need required. (4) If shee have succoured those that were afflicted. Finally, If shee hath exercised her self in all sorts of good works.

Vers. 11. But the younger Widows refuse: For when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry,

Precept 6. That they admit not into the Colledge of widows those that are younger Widows.

When they have, &c.] Hee gives two Reasons,

Reas. 1. Because there is danger, lest being pampered with the Churches bread, they begin to waxe wanton a∣gainst Christ (as some younger Widows have done al∣ready) and despairing of Marriage in the Church, they think of falling away from the faith of Christ, and afterwards openly revolt, that they may marry some in∣fidel out of the Church.

Vers. 12. Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

Hee seems to point at some Widows of this sort, whose condition hee shews to bee damnable and miserable, up∣on this that they have rejected the profession of their faith, which they first made in Baptism.

Vers. 13. And withall they learn to bee idle, wan∣dring about from house to house, and not onely idle, but talkers also, and busie-bodies, speaking things which they ought not.

Reas. 2. Because the younger Widows (as it seems to bee evident upon experience) will become idle, wande∣rers, trif••ers, busie-bodies, ••atlers, wandring from house to house, curiously inquisitive into other bodies mat••ers, and speaking things which they ought not.

Vers. 14. I will therefore that the younger women mar∣ry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Precept 7. or Concession, That the younger Widows marry in the Lord, rather than bee burdensome to the Church, and that they look after houshold affairs, as it becomes Wives.

None] Hee adds two Reasons of the Precept: (1) Lest by their unconstancy, and other offences they give occasion to the Adversaries, or Infidels, to speak evil of the Professor•• of the Gospel.

Vers. 15. For some are already turned aside after Satan.

(2) Because it is found by experience that some youn∣ger Widows have declined the true Religion, and have betaken themselves to the Tents of Satan, out of the Territories of the Church.

Vers. 16. If any man or woman, that beleeveth, have Widows, let them relieve them, and let not the Church bee charged, that it may relieve them that are Widows indeed.

Hee inculcates the second Precept, whereof vers. 4. of succouring Widows by their Children or Nephews, ad∣ding two Reasons: (1) That the Church bee not bur∣dened with unnecessary charges. (2) Lest there should not bee sufficient to maintain those that are Widows indeed. From whence it appears, that if there were no poor and honest Widows in the Church of sixty years old, there was no necessity to make provision for any, and by consequence the Ministry of women in the Deaconship, was not needful, unless by accident they bee maintained by the publick charge, that they bee not al∣together unprofitable.

The Third Part of the Chapter.

Vers. 17. Let the Elders that rule well, bee counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

The third part of the Chapter concerning Presby∣ters contains five Precepts.

Precept 1. That an honourable stipend bee afforded to the Presbyters, who well discharge their duty in feed∣ing the Church. And it is said, Let them hee accounted worthy, because if perhaps in some poorer Churches, the maintenance bee not sufficient, or if it shall seem good to some Elders, upon reasons known to themselves, to serve the Church freely, in such a case it is fitting, that they bee accounted at leastwise worthy of double honour, or a liberal stipend, whether they exact it or not.

Especially] Hee makes two orders of these Elders, one that labour in the word and doctrine, such are Pa∣stors and Doctors: Another of those that rule well▪ i. e. That endeavour to govern the Church in life and manners, but labour not in the word and doctrine, such are Elders, which are called Rulers, 1 Cor. 12.28. Rom. 12.8. Hee would have both these kindes of Elders, rightly managing their Offices, accounted worthy of double honour, but especially those that labour in the word and doctrine, because they are wholly set apart to the word and prayer: Therefore it is fitting that they should bee liberally maintained. Hee calls the stipend given them by the name of Honour, because of such moment is their work, that it cannot bee valued at any rate: And because the stipend which is allowed them, is to bee given not upon the account of wages, but an Honorary, or an honourable reward.

Vers. 18. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the Oxe that treadeth out the corn; and the labourer is worthy of his reward.

Hee layes down two Reasons of the Precept; (1) From Deut. 25.4. Where from the Allegory of an Oxe, treading out the corn with his feet, God commands that the Pastors of the Church should bee maintained, rea∣soning from the greater to the less.

Worthy] 2. From Levit. 9. or Luke 18.7. Where from the Precept of giving a due reward to the labourer, it is gathered from the less to the greater; Honour is much more to bee repayed to him, who is not an hireling, but a Father, and a laborious Pastor.

Vers. 19. Against an Elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Precept 2. That an accusation against an Elder bee not received, or taken for true, unless upon the testimony of three witnesses, or at the least two, (worthy of credit) it bee affirmed: And that which is here spoken to Ti∣mothy alone, is spoken to all that sit in the Presbytery, because other where, judgement is committed to the whole Presbytery; yea what is spoken here to Timothy, is

spoken to the whole Presbytery at Ephesus, touching the administration of the whole Discipline of the Church, Act. 20.28. Timothy the Evangelist, in the mean time might exercise extraordinary power, as hee was an Evan∣gelist, and the Apostles Legate.

Vers. 20. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Precept 3. Of avoiding scandals; If the Elders, or any other in the Church should offend openly, that they bee publickly reproved: The reason is, That the rest may bee afraid, being admonished by their example, and may take heed to themselves that they do not offend.

Vers. 21. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Iesus Christ, and the elect Angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

Precept 4. In which (by way of Epiphonema) hee most gravely charges Timothy, and in him all Ecclesiastical Judges, that nothing bee done in Church affairs, or censures, with pa••tiality, or that nothing in these Pre∣cepts bee altered upon the accepting of any mans per∣son.

Vers. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man; neither bee partakers of other mens sins: Keep thy self pure.

Precept 5. That hee do not rashly receive any one into the sacred Ministry, without mature deliberation, and examination preceding, hee do not lay hands (which was the sign of Ordination) upon any one: Hee gives two Reasons of it.

Neither] Reas. 1. Lest if hee should ordain one un∣fitting, in this very thing hee should communicate with him in his sins, and by consequence in his punish∣ments.

Thy self] Reas. 2. Because thou oughtest to keep thy self pure from defilements; and therefore from the or∣daining of an unworthy man; If happily the rest of the Presbytery at any time shall determine to admit an unfit man to the Ministry, or one that is not approved, keep thy self pure, neither consent thou, but labour by all means so to preserve purity and holiness, that thou keep off from all affinity with sin, as much as in thee lyes. Hee explains the parts of this Precept in the two next follow∣ing verses, the meaning of the latter part, of being himself pure, vers. 23. and shews the meaning of the former part, vers. 24.

Vers. 23. Drinke no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomachs sake, and thine often infirmi∣ties.

As to the latter part of the Precept, of keeping him∣self pure; because the Apostle knew that Timothy by reason of his earnest endeavours after purity and chasti∣ty, had been injurious to his own health, therefore by the way hee adviseth him, that hee do not so understand the Precept of keeping himself pure, as to neglect his health and render himself unfit for the works of his Calling, but use an holy prudence, and in subduing his body, by drinking of water, to use a little wine as it were phy∣sically, and for the necessity of health, lest if hee should proceed in not favouring his weak stomach, and his body labouring under often infirmities, immediately the ta∣bernacle of his body should fall to decay, and the Church should bee deprived of so profitable an instru∣ment.

Vers. 24. Some mens sins are open before hand, going before to judgement: And some men they follow after.

As to what concerns the meaning of the former part of the Precept, Lest hee should partake of other mens sins; hee shews that hee spake of open sins, which may bee known, and avoided, not of private, which fall not under observation; and that hee beware, lest hee par∣take of other mens sins, and in laying hands rashly on no man; hee shews in this, that using examination, and tryal, the open sins of any one that is unworthy may bee known, as also the open virtues of men meet to bee admit∣ted to the Ministery of the Gospel. For the sins of some Candidates of the Ministery are so manifest, that they prevent the examination and judgement of the Church, that they may easily bee rejected. For before the judge∣ment of the Church can determine about them, there is matter in readiness, in their open sins, for their condem∣nation, or rejection from the Ministery, by the opinion of the Ecclesiastical Senate: And the sins of other••, upon examination premised, and the judgement of the Church concerning them being given, are brought forth into the light.

Vers. 25. Likewise also the good works of some, are manifest before-hand, and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

In like manner the virtue of some that are Candi∣dates to the Ministery, and their good works, are so ma∣nifestly known, that it is easie for the Church to judge them fit to bee admitted. But the works of those that are otherwise, or upon examination had, and inquisition made, are not manifest, or so secret, that they cannot bee known of men, they are to bee left to God, nor can they long bee hid, but in their own time will bee brought to light, that if the Church cannot prevent, but those hy∣pocrites are admitted to the Ministery, yet care may bee had, where they are already made manifest, that they bee dealt with according to the Discipline of the Church.