consider this, who are so devoted to their teachers, under whose training they have been once for all brought up, that they admit nothing beyond their circle which is afterwards presented to them from Scripture. Sometimes slothful over-fulness of the mind and aMade/a, self-complacency, creep over men under the name of stedfastness (steadiness) and sobriety. — fab g, from childhood [a child]) Tender age is best adapted for i, being made faithful (assured), so that faith may be impressed upon it, diffusing firmness throughout the whole life. — ra, /spa ypa^i^ara, the sacred Scriptures) the books of Moses and the prophets. For these existed when Timothy was a child. — oTdas, thou hast known) by the instructions of thy mother, ch. i. 5. — ra Suvd/ieva, which were able) The force of a preterite redounds from thou hast known, to the participle. This ability (of Scripture) expresses (its) sufficiency and perfection. — as, thee) in such a way as if they were written for thee alone. — eopfaai, to make wise) A grand expression. The antithesis is avota, folly, ver. 9. — s/s ffurqpiav, to salvation) thy own and that of others. — 8ia xiffrtug, through faith) He who does not believe, does not receive wisdom and salvation. Through is construed with salvation.
16. nata ypapn, all Scripture) The sacred Scripture, in all its parts. All the latest epistles of Paul as much as possible recommend the Scripture. — faoffvwaros, given by inspiration o God) This is a part, not of the subject (for what Scripture or class of writings [as Scripture means] Paul intends, is evident in itself, as elsewhere, so in this passage), but of the predicate. It was divinely inspired, not merely while it was written, God breathing through the writers ; but also, whilst it is being read, God breathing through the Scripture, and the Scripture breath ing Him [He being their very breath]. Hence it is so profitable. — 'Trpbg d/daffxaX/'av, for doctrine) Doctrine instructs the ignorant ; reproof convinces also those who are labouring under error and under prejudice ; correction recalls a man from wrong (obliquity) to right (rectitude) : training [* eruditio,' Engl. Vers. instruction] in righteousness positively instructs ; ch. ii. 24 ; Sir. xviii. 13.
17. "Apnog y], may be perfect) in his duty. — 6 rov Qsov avQf>u<iro$j the man of God) 1 Tim. vi. 11, note. — crpog T«V, for every good icork) These kinds of such works are enumerated, ver. 16. For the man of God ought to teach, reprove, correct, train or