14. M^ «/££>.£/, do not neglect) They neglect, who do not exer cise the gift, and who think that they cannot fall away. — xatpfa-
the gift} 2 Tim. i. 6. — diu «po£>»jr«/ag {ASTO, s<7ri6sffsus ruv ov irpsffffurspfov, by prophecy r, with the laying on of the hands [viz. by prophecy] of the presbytery) Construe the prophecy of the presbytery. For Paul laid his hands on Timothy, 2 Tim. i. 6 ; i.e. the presbytery consisted of Paul himself (comp. 2 John 1 ; 1 Pet. v. 1) and Silas, or others also. Many Latin copies have presbyteri, " of the presbyter." The imposition of the hand is properly done by one person, and that, too, a person more dig nified. But prophecy was also exercised by equals, viz. by more than one, who, while Paul was laying his hands on Timothy, were offering congratulations, and augured every good thing; perhaps even in the absence of Timothy. This is an energetic young man, they said ; God will do much good by him.
15. MsXira, meditate) MsXsrav is also applied to the gymnastic exercises ; comp. ver. 7, yu/wa^s tfgaurov. Let this, he says, be thy study. He directed Timothy to continue in the same study when he was further advanced in life, Ep. 2, ch. iii. 14, etc. Who would not desire to be engrossed with the same study as long as he lives ? There are vicissitudes in all other studies ; some are the fashion to-day, others will be the custom to morrow. The one study which is devoted to (bestowed upon) Sacred Scripture never seems to be very conspicuous, but at the same time it alone never becomes obsolete. It has an everlast ing kingdom, without tyranny and superstitious fascination, a solid reward, an use which will cause no regret. — sv rovrotg 7<rd/, give thyself wholly to them) He who gives himself wholly to them, will be less in worldly boon-companionships (convivialities) ; he will less engage in the study of other things, in collecting books, shells, coins, in which many pastors, unawares, waste a considerable part of their life. — fl-poxewnj, profiting) which is main tained by exercise.
16. "E</rg^g, take heed) Hesychius has the following : '^yj, fafafuto, Kp(jff£%s, xars^s, svifieve ; Job xviii. 2, IJ'Or), s^iff^g, give heed, < mark ;' and so, often the son of Sirach. — airo/g, to them) Refer this to raDra, these things, ver. 15 ; or to what follows (roj)s axovovrdg aou), i.e. (continually attend) to them that hear