The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Timothy — Section 125

II. THEIB MAmTENANOE, "For the Scripture saith, Thou ahalt not muzzle the ox when he tree.deth ont the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his hire." Under the honour to be done especially to the laborious teaching elder, is brought D1ainten- ance. This is enforced by a reference to Deut. xxv. 4. The Jewish law showed consideration for an animal that had to labour. The ox was not to be muzzled when, in Eastern fashion, tree.ding out the corn. It was not to be prevented from enjoying the fruit of its labours. The application is given at some length in 1 Cor. ix., but it is simply brought out here by a proverb, which i~ also made uae of by our Lord. The Christian teacher labours as really e.s the ox that treads out the corn. Not less than the ox he is to have the condition of labour, viz. maintenance. He is to have it not as a necessity, but on the principle that he is entitled to it e.s the reward of his labour. III. TREIB rosT TREATMENT UNDER ACCUSATION. "Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses." There is reference to a well-known regulation of the Jewish law. It was especially to be observed in the case of honoured or doubly honoured elders. No weight was to be attached to unproved private complaints. "It might easily happen in a Church, so large and mixed e.s the Ephesian, that one or another, from wounded feelings of honour, from mere partisanship, or· some selfish motive, would seek to injure a presbyter, and drag him down from his influential .position; and against this the precept of the apostle was the best safeguard." IV. D1scIPLINE IF BHOWN TO BE BINNINIJ. "Them that Bin reprove in the 8ight of all, that the rest also may be in fear." The apostle has been treating of elders; he is still treating of elders in ver. 22. If, then, ordinary weight is to be attached to the context in interpretation, the conclusion seems certain that public reproof was only enjoined in the case of sinning elders. We are to Ullderstand that the accusation against them has been substantiated by two or three witnesses, and that by continuing in sin they exhibit no signs of repentance. Let such be publicly reproved, that, if the publicity does not do them good, it may at least cause a wholesome fear to fall upon .others of their class. V. SoLEMN ADJURATION. "I charge thee in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality." The form of the adjuration is remarkable for the proximity in which Christ Jesus stands to God. If we are led to think of God as being: omniscient, we are aa naturally led to think of Christ Jesus as being omniscient, i.e. Divine. The form of the adjuration is also remarkable for the bringing in of the elect angels, i.e. honoured to be the chosen objects of God's love. Their omniscience does not belong to them singly, but to their class, which is frequently represented as very numerous. A.13 witnesses of what is now done on earth they will be present with their Lord on the day of judgment. The matter of the adjuration is the upholding of the presbyterate. Let none of the order be prejudged unfavourably; let none, through favour, be spared, if their sin is patent. We may learn from the solemnity of the adjuration, how highly the apostle valued the honour of the order. VI. CABE IN APPOINTING TO TEE ORDER. "Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure." The laying on of hands in ordination, which is clearly referred to here, is symbolic of the communication o! spiritual gifts. We also learn from the language here, that it is equivalent to recogni- tion on the part of those ordaining. They are accountable thus far, that if, through hastiness, they have admitted unworthy persons into the order, then they are partakers of their sins. As having to pronounce upon others, Timothy was to keep himself pure; his own conduct was to be above suspicion. Vil. 'l.'IMOTHY CAUTIONED. "Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomaoh'e sake and thine often infirmities." Paley makes a point of the want of connection. " The direction stands between two sentences, as wide from the subject as possible." He, however, puts more upon this than it will bear. There is a certain Epistolary negligence, but there is connection. It occurs to the apostle that the command to keep himself pure might be too strictly interpreted by Timothy. He waa not to be regarded as enjoining the utmost abstinence on hira. On the contrary, his opinion was that 'l'imothy was l\bstio.ent beyond what his tin.Ith demanded. He  118 THE FlRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. [oa. VI, 1-21,