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210 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. I.
sets one free from the law. Here, the man for whom the law is not made (ver. 9) is the man who is ethically conformed to the norm of sound teaching. The two conceptions do not exclude each other: the sound teaching is according to the gospel (ver. 11), but the point of emphasis is shifted.
11. According to. The connection is with the whole fore- going statement about the law and its application, ver. 9 ff. The writer substantiates what he has just said about the law, by a reference to the gospel. Comp. Rom. ii. 16.
The glorious gospel of the blessed God (70 etvayyéAsov THs OdEns TOU waxapiov Geod). More correctly, the gospel of the glory, etc. The phrase as a whole has no parallel in N. T. The nearest approach to it is 2 Cor. iv. 4. Gospel of God is a Pauline phrase ; but waxdpios blessed is not used of God by Paul, nor elsewhere outside of the Pastorals, where it occurs twice, here and ch. vi. 15. For blessed see on Matt. v. 3. The appearing of the glory of God in Jesus Christ is the contents of the gospel. Comp. Tit. ii. 18.
Which was committed to my trust (6 émicredOnv éyo). Or, with which I was intrusted. Comp. Tit. i. 3; Rom. iii. 23,1 Cor. ix, 17; Gal. ii. 7; 1 Th. ii.4. The dye genic phatically asserts the authority of Paul against the “ teachers of the law” (ver. 7).
12. Hath enabled (évduvauecartt). An unclassical word, found in Paul and Acts. See Acts ix. 22; Philip. iv. 18. Three times in the Pastorals.
Counted (jy7caT0). A common Pauline word. Putting (Oduevos). Better, appointing. The participle defines counted me faithful. He counted me faithful in that
he appointed, etc.
Into the ministry (eis Suaxoviav). Better, appointing me to his service. The conventional phrase “the ministry ” gives a
Cu. I] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. 211
wrong impression. The term is general, covering every mode of service, either to God or tomen. Audxovor ministers is used of the secular ruler, Rom. xiii. 4. See also 1 Cor. xii. 5; xvi. 15; 2 Cor. iii. 7, 8; Eph. iv. 12, and on minister, Matt. xx. 26.
13. Blasphemer — persecutor — injurious (@Aacdnpov — Sioxtnv—vBpiotnv). Neither Brdodnuos nor duHKTys is used by Paul. BAdodnuos in Acts vii. 11; 2 Pet. ii. 11; Scoerys N. T.°.; o8prorys in Rom. i. 30 only; often in LXX. See on blasphemy, Mk. vii. 22, and comp. 1 Cor. x. 80. ‘TPpioras is one whose insolence and contempt of others break forth in wanton and outrageous acts. Paul was vSpiorns when he persecuted the church. He was t8picOeis shamefully entreated at Philippi (1 Th. ii. 2). Christ prophesies that the Son of man shall be shamefully entreated (6BpicOncerat, L. xviii. 32). Similar regretful references of Paul to his former career ap- pear in Acts xxii. 4; Gal. i. 18, 23. Such a passage may have occurred in some Pauline letters to which this writer had access, or it may be an imitation.
| obtained mercy (7rAenOnv). Comp. ver. 16. In speaking of his conversion, Paul uses ydpis grace. See ver. 14, and comp. 1 Cor. xv. 10; Gal. i. 15. In referring to his call to the apostleship he speaks of himself as one who has obtained mercy (nrenueévos) of the Lord to be faithful. 1 Cor. vii. 25; comp. 2 Cor. iv. I.
14. Was exceeding abundant (dzeperdedvacey). Or abounded exceedingly. N. T.°. CLXX. °Class. Paul is fond of compounds with d7rép, which, with a few excep- tions, are found only in his writings. In the Pastorals there are only three. See 1 Tim. ii. 2; 2 Tim. ii. 2.
With faith. For faith as treated in the Pastorals, see Introduction, and sound doctrine, ver. 10.
15. This is a faithful saying (atcrds 6 Adyos). Better, faithful is the saying. A favourite phrase in these Epistles.. OPP See LTimeriti. D3) ivi9332 Time tel so Dit.: nis 8.