(2) It is furthered also by the appointment of officials of worthy character {3'-4').
3'''. The type of man to be chosen as bishop. — This office is eagerly sought after, and Timothy is to employ discretion in choosing candidates. They must be men of irreproachable (jharacter, possessing self-restraint, tact, ability to control others, as shown by the control of their own family, given to hospitality, able to teach, not youthful but fortified by experience against dangers to which such an office would expose the immature.
w.8-13. The type of man for the diaconate. — Tested men with personal qualities and adminis- trative powers similar, except for ability to teach, to those of the bishop. 'Their wives, probably bishops' as well as deacons', must be respected, discreet, and trustworthy (v." reads in this con- nexion like an interpolation, and it may refer to deaconesses). Honourable service secures a good degree of honour and greater confidence in the gospel ministry (or a good basis for the next grade, i.e. bishop).
vv.n-16. The Church holds forth the truth, in opposition to error, of which an example is given (4'-''). After an interjected reference to the possi- bility of delay in coming to Ephesus, the Apostle states that the purpose of the letter is to instruct Timothy as to his right ordering of the Church, which, as the dwelling-place of the God of Israel, supports and is the foundation of the truth. This truth is a great mystery revealed in a Person only to those who lead godly lives, and is summed up m the words of a Christian hymn setting forth the gospel of the Incarnation.
The Spirit, through prophets in the Church, perhaps also through the words of written pro- phecy, foretells that there will be a great apostasy, led by teachers under demonic influence, who will enjoin abstinence from marriage and certain foods. But by the gospel the old Jewish distinctions of clean and unclean and heathen asceticism have been abolished, and the Christian may sanctify by prayer, and possibly by a psalm, any meat set before him, and thankfully partake of it.
Timothy is to fulfil his ministry by transmitting to his brethren the wholesome teaching of the Apostle (4'^).
(b) Personal advice to Timothy (4'-'«).— 4'-"'. The man of God must practise piety, and not asceticism. Piety has the sure promise of life here and here- after ; but the pursuit is arduous, and the goal will be attained only as we set our hope on the living God, who will save the believer unto eternal life.
vv.ii-i6_ Timothy must overcome his diffidence, which arises partly from his youth, and in the constant exercise of his Divinely inspired gift of teaching become an example in life and doctrine of what the Christian minister should be.
(c) Further advice as to various classes in the Church (5'-6-). — Evidently there is insubordination, and the Apostle warns Timothy not to allow him- self, when he breaks through his diffidence, to be swept into passionate rebuke.
53-16 Widows in the Church. — (1) Those who have children or other relatives, or who are in the employ of a Christian woman : Christian piety demands that their support must fall upon the.se (vv 3.4.8.16) (2) The real widows above sixty years
TIMOTHY AND TITUS, EPISTLESTIMOTHYANDTIT^^
vv.
of a-e and destitute ^vho l.ave a c''^>;"f [ ^[1^ staLilitV, liospitalitv, and ^'ood works are to be Inrol led for service in the Cluu.h, on whom their suSr mnst fall if their >-'^'':';-. '"- /"", :,.''6.«.7.9.io) (3) Since yonnfrer widows may fn 1 into sin under passion, or into indolent enjoyn.ent,
thev are advised to marry (vv. ).
(lote the disordered arrangement of this sechon,
^'PV''n.i""The 'honourable position of the elder - The elder who fullils his function well, especial y if he can preach and teach, is to be Lnven double o our (or^t mav be double pay), anS, in accord- ance wi h our Loin's instructions, is to be snippo rted for hs work's sake. The dignity of the oihce
demands that charges P-'-i^-^^ "^'-"^ev bTsu" not to be li-htly received ; though if "^ey be sub stantiated the rebuke is to be public Judgment nu I e we 1 considered an.l impartial and no one s to be ordained without careful consideration, n order to be able to give such a judgment and not be "nvolved in the sins of others, Timothy must keep hin°self pure, though he is not to be an ascetic. Poiibly v.»is interpolated to meet ascetic tend- encies ) Such sins as drunkenness and open vice '°U be evident at once, but secret sins ^vill come out in time. So with men's good deeds. With care he will not make mistakes.
fii-a Slaves.— Service honourable to the taitn must be paid to masters unbelieving or telievin^- Stlie latter case inspired by the knowledge that it is a service of love to brethren.
Id) Final exhortations (G''-'). , , „„ h.a
^s-'s Teach healthy doctrme, based on the teaching of Jesus, which ensures piety.--! he be- fot^ed teacher of false doctrine does not practise v^?fue but by his emnty disputations stirs the churclles into strife, anS in the muddy waters he fishes usin" so-called piety as a means of gain vv>iT "fhe practice of godliness in contrast
with the pursuit of riches. T:„„tbv —The
„y 11-16 Solemn adjuration to Timothy.- ine rbristian minister must pursue those virtues the