widows under sixty years. The monastic system regarding nuns is quite inconsistent with the whole meaning of the apostle ; and Paul does not write to Timothy about the govern ment of any company of monks, for there were none such in existence. — yaptfv, rexvoyoveTv, otxodsffKortTv, to marry, to bear children, rule their family [guide the house]) Three successive steps in domestic society. So they shall have full employment, without idleness or curiosity. — r& avrixzi/tsvu, to the adversary) The word ft3G?? Symmachus, in Ps. xxxviii. (20) 21, has trans lated by the word avrfxeipat, and in the following verse men tion is made of Satan : yet the wTord avnxeipevos, adversary, may be in this place understood of wicked men ; comp. ch. vi. 1 ; Tit. ii. 8, 10. — \ot8optas xapiv, for the sake of calumny [by way of reproach]) which is eager to exaggerate the vices of a few, and to impute them to the whole Church and its doctrines.
15. "Hdyi, already) A particle used for the purpose of appeal ing to experience. — rmg, some) rashly professing widowhood. — e&rp&'x'qffav, have been turned aside) and thereby have given oc casion to calumny. — fatou rot ^arava, after Satan) who turned them aside from Christ.
16. 'ETa/p/cs/Yw, let him (or her) relieve them} ver. 10 [0X/j8o^!vo/£ sKflpxsGsv, " relieved the afflicted"]. — «J sxx^ffia, the Church) in relieving the widows. — eieapx'sfffa in order that it may have enough for relieving) viz. the Church.
17. At^Xr^, double) On account of their being older, and on account of their office. The eldership involves of itself venera tion on account of age. Even Peter opposes the elders to the younger men (vsurspoig), and yet he speaks as concerning an office, 1 Pet. v. 5, 1, etc. Double, i.e. large, Rev. xviii. 6. — ftdXiffra, especially) Some then were able to rule, and to rule well, although they were not employed in word and doctrine, viz. in sacred studies, and in the instruction of others. But those who had been so employed (xoxiuvrss), were less at leisure for working, and for acquiring fortune, and were worthy of compensation.
18. Ka/, «g/o£, and, worthy) The apostle quotes this, either as Scripture, or as a proverb approved of by the Lord, Matt, x. 10 ; Luke x. 7.