About 1 Timothy

1 Timothy provides instruction for church leadership and organization, warning against false teaching.

Author: Paul the ApostleWritten: c. AD 62-64Reading time: ~3 minVerses: 21
Church OrderLeadershipSound DoctrineGodlinessFalse TeachingMinistry

King James Version

1 Timothy 6

21 verses with commentary

Instructions for Slaves

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour</strong> (Ὅσοι εἰσὶν ὑπὸ ζυγὸν δοῦλοι, τοὺς ἰδίους δεσπότας πάσης τιμῆς ἀξίους ἡγείσθωσαν, <em>Hosoi eisin hypo zygon douloi, tous idious despotas pasēs timēs axious hēgeisthōsan</em>)—'all who are slaves under the yoke should regard their masters as worthy of all honor.' <em>Zygos</em> is yoke, a metap...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

**VI.** (1) **Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour.**—From questions connected with the presbyters and others among the recognised ministers and officials of the church, St. Paul passes on to consider certain difficulties connected with a large and important section of the congregations to whom these presbyters were in the habit of ministering—the...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20. Emphatical repetition with increased force. Who but ye and our other converts are our hope, &amp;c., hereafter, at Christ's coming? For it is ye who ARE now our glory and joy.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. faithful: or, believing

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren</strong> (οἱ δὲ πιστοὺς ἔχοντες δεσπότας μὴ καταφρονείτωσαν, ὅτι ἀδελφοί εἰσιν, <em>hoi de pistous echontes despotas mē kataphroneitōsan, hoti adelphoi eisin</em>)—'those who have believing masters must not disrespect them because they are brothers.' <em>Kataphroneō</em> means to despise, look down o...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren.**—This being in servitude to Christian masters, of course, in the days of St. Paul would happen less frequently. Let those Christian slaves who have the good fortune to serve “believing masters” allow no such thoughts as, “Shall I remain my brother’s slave?” take root in the breast and poison the life...
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False Teachers and Love of Money

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ</strong> (εἴ τις ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖ καὶ μὴ προσέρχεται ὑγιαίνουσιν λόγοις τοῖς τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, <em>ei tis heterodidask­alei kai mē proserchetai hygiainousin logois tois tou kyriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou</em>)—'if anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the s...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **If any man teach otherwise.**—Without confining the reference strictly to what had just been taught respecting the duty of Christian slaves, there is little doubt but that some influential teaching, contrary to St. Paul’s, on the subject of the behaviour and disposition of that unhappy class was in the Apostle’s mind when he wrote the terrible denunciation contained in these three verses aga...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 3 1Th 3:1-13. Proof of His Desire after Them in His Having Sent Timothy: His Joy at the Tidings Brought Back Concerning Their Faith and Charity: Prayers for Them. **1. Wherefore--**because of our earnest love to you (1Th 2:17-20). **forbear--**"endure" the suspense. The Greek is literally applied to a watertight vessel. When we could no longer contain ourselves in our yearning desire...
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He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, proud: or, a fool doting: or, sick

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>He is proud, knowing nothing</strong> (τετύφωται, μηδὲν ἐπιστάμενος, <em>tetyphōtai, mēden epistamenos</em>)—'he is puffed up with conceit, understanding nothing.' <em>Typhoō</em> means to be conceited, clouded with pride (used of elders in 3:6). Despite his arrogance, the false teacher knows nothing of real truth.<br><br><strong>But doting about questions and strifes of words</strong> (ἀλ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **He is proud.**—St. Paul, with righteous anger, flames out against these perverse men, who, using the name of Christ, substitute *their* short-sighted views of life for His, throw doubt and discredit upon the teaching of His chosen Apostles and servants, stir up discord, excite party spirit, barring, often hopelessly, the onward march of Christianity. The true Christian teaching is healthy, p...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**2. minister of God and our fellow labourer--**Some oldest manuscripts read, "fellow workman with God"; others, "minister of God." The former is probably genuine, as copyists probably altered it to the latter to avoid the bold phrase, which, however, is sanctioned by 1Co 3:9; 2Co 6:1. The English Version reading is not well supported, and is plainly compounded out of the two other readings. Paul ...
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Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. Perverse: or, Gallings one of another

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth</strong> (διαπαρατριβαὶ διεφθαρμένων ἀνθρώπων τὸν νοῦν καὶ ἀπεστερημένων τῆς ἀληθείας, <em>diaparatribai diephtharmenōn anthrōpōn ton noun kai apesterēmenōn tēs alētheias</em>)—'constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth.' <em>Diaparatribē</em> (only here in NT) means constant wra...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **Perverse disputings.**—The older authorities read here a word which should be rendered “lasting or obstinate conflicts.” These words close the long catalogue of the fruits of the teaching of the false masters of the new faith, and point out that the disputes engendered by these useless and unhappy controversies would be no mere temporary difficulties, but would indefinitely prolong their wea...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3. moved--**"shaken," "disturbed." The Greek is literally said of dogs wagging the tail in fawning on one. Therefore Tittmann explains it, "That no man should, amidst his calamities, be allured by the flattering hope of a more pleasant life to abandon his duty." So Elsner and Bengel, "cajoled out of his faith." In afflictions, relatives and opponents combine with the ease-loving heart itself in ...
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But godliness with contentment is great gain.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But godliness with contentment is great gain</strong> (ἔστιν δὲ πορισμὸς μέγας ἡ εὐσέβεια μετὰ αὐταρκείας, <em>estin de porismos megas hē eusebeia meta autarkeias</em>)—'godliness with contentment is great gain.' Paul redefines 'gain' (<em>porismos</em>): not financial profit, but godliness accompanied by <em>autarkeia</em> (contentment, self-sufficiency). <em>Autarkeia</em> means having e...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **But godliness with contentment is great gain.**—Here the Apostle changes the subject of his letter somewhat abruptly. The monstrous thought that these wordly men dare to trade upon his dear Master’s religion, dare to make out of his holy doctrine a gain—the hateful word suggests to him another danger, to which many in a congregation drawn from the population of a wealthy commercial city like...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4. that we should suffer--**Greek, "that we are about (we are sure) to suffer" according to the appointment of God (1Th 3:3). **even as--**"even (exactly) as it both came to pass and ye know"; ye know both that it came to pass, and that we foretold it (compare Joh 13:19). The correspondence of the event to the prediction powerfully confirms faith: "Forewarned, forearmed" [Edmunds]. The repetit...
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For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out</strong> (οὐδὲν γὰρ εἰσηνέγκαμεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον, ὅτι οὐδὲ ἐξενεγκεῖν τι δυνάμεθα, <em>ouden gar eisēnenkamen eis ton kosmon, hoti oude exenenkein ti dynametha</em>)—'we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out.' This proverbial truth (Job 1:21, Ecclesiastes 5:15) exposes materialism's ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.**—(Comp. Job 1:21.) Every earthly possession is only meant for this life—for the period between the hour of birth and the hour of death; we entered this world with nothing, we shall leave the world again with nothing. If we could take anything with us when death parts soul and body there would at once be an e...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**5. For this cause--**Because I know of your "tribulation" having actually begun (1Th 3:4). **when I--**Greek, "when I also (as well as Timothy, who, Paul delicately implies, was equally anxious respecting them, compare "we," 1Th 3:1), could no longer contain myself (endure the suspense)." **I sent--**Paul was the actual sender; hence the "I" here: Paul, Silas, and Timothy himself had agreed ...
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And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And having food and raiment let us be therewith content</strong> (ἔχοντες δὲ διατροφὰς καὶ σκεπάσματα, τούτοις ἀρκεσθησόμεθα, <em>echontes de diatrophas kai skepas­mata, toutois arkesthēsometha</em>)—'if we have food and covering, with these we will be content.' <em>Diatrophē</em> means sustenance, nourishment. <em>Skepasma</em> means covering—both clothing and shelter. <em>Arkeō</em> mean...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.**—The Greek word rendered “let us be content” is better translated, *we shall have a sufficiency.* The argument will run thus: “All earthly possessions are only for this life; here, if we have the wherewithal to clothe us and to nourish us, we shall have enough;” if we have more than this, St. Paul goes on to show, we shall be in dange...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

6. Join "now" with "come"; "But Timotheus having just now come from you unto us" [Alford]. Thus it appears (compare Ac 18:5) Paul is writing from Corinth. **your faith and charity--**(1Th 1:3; compare 2Th 1:3, whence it seems their faith subsequently increased still more). Faith was the solid foundation: charity the cement which held together the superstructure of their practice on that foundati...
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But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare</strong> (οἱ δὲ βουλόμενοι πλουτεῖν ἐμπίπτουσιν εἰς πειρασμὸν καὶ παγίδα, <em>hoi de boulomenoi ploutein empiptousin eis peirasmon kai pagida</em>)—'those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a trap.' <em>Boulomai</em> means to will, desire, determine. <em>Peirasmos</em> is temptation, trial. <em>Pagis</em> is snare, tra...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **But they that will be rich.**—Here St. Paul guards against the danger of his words being then or at any future time misinterpreted by any dreamy, unpractical school of asceticism, supposing that voluntary poverty was a state of life peculiarly pleasing to the Most High—the strange mistake upon which the great Mendicant orders were organised in the Middle Ages. Those who exposed themselves to...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7. over you--**in respect to you. **in--**in the midst of: notwithstanding "all our distress (Greek, 'necessity') and affliction," namely, external trials at Corinth, whence Paul writes (compare 1Th 3:6, with Ac 18:5-10).

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. erred: or, been seduced

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>For the love of money is the root of all evil</strong> (ῥίζα γὰρ πάντων τῶν κακῶν ἐστιν ἡ φιλαργυρία, <em>rhiza gar pantōn tōn kakōn estin hē philargyria</em>)—'the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.' <em>Rhiza</em> means root. <em>Philargyria</em> means love of money, avarice—from <em>philos</em> (love) and <em>argyros</em> (silver/money). Note: not money itself but the <em>lov...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **For the love of money is the root of all evil.**—Some would water down this strong expression by translating the Greek words by “a root of all evil,” instead of “the root,” making this alteration on the ground of the article not being prefixed to the Greek word rendered “root.” This change, however, grammatically is unnecessary, as the article disappears before the predicate, in accordance ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**8. now--**as the case is; seeing ye stand fast. **we live--**we flourish. It revives us in our affliction to hear of your steadfastness (Psa 22:26; 2Jo 3:4). **if--**implying that the vivid joy which the missionaries "now" feel, will continue if the Thessalonians continue steadfast. They still needed exhortation, 1Th 3:10; therefore he subjoins the conditional clause, "if ye," &amp;c. (Php 4...
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Fight the Good Fight of Faith

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But thou, O man of God, flee these things</strong> (Σὺ δὲ, ὦ ἄνθρωπε θεοῦ, ταῦτα φεῦγε, <em>Sy de, ō anthrōpe theou, tauta pheuge</em>)—'but you, O man of God, flee from these things.' <em>Pheugō</em> means to flee, escape, shun. 'Man of God' is an OT title for prophets (Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha)—Paul applies it to Timothy, emphasizing his calling. 'These things' refers to love of mon...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **But thou, O man of God, flee these things.**—A commentator always speaks with great caution when he approaches in these inspired writings anything of the nature of a direct personal reference. The writers and actors in the New Testament history we have so long surrounded with a halo of reverence, that we are tempted often to forget that they were but men exposed to temptations like us, and ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**9. For what thanks--**what sufficient thanks? **render ... again--**in return for His goodness (Psa 116:12). **for you--**"concerning you." **for all the joy--**on account of all the joy. It was "comfort," 1Th 3:7, now it is more, namely, joy. **for your sakes--**on your account. **before our God--**It is a joy which will bear God's searching eye: a joy as in the presence of God, not s...
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Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Fight the good fight of faith</strong> (ἀγωνίζου τὸν καλὸν ἀγῶνα τῆς πίστεως, <em>agōnizou ton kalon agōna tēs pisteōs</em>)—'fight the good fight of the faith.' <em>Agōnizomai</em> means to contend, struggle, compete—used of athletic contests and military battles. <em>Agōn</em> means contest, struggle, fight. <em>Kalos</em> means good, noble, beautiful. Faith involves struggle—against sin...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.**—Then, again, with the old stirring metaphor of the Olympic contests for a prize (1Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:13-14)—the metaphor St. Paul loved so well, and which Timothy must have heard so often from his old master’s lips as he preached and taught—he bids the “man of God,” rising above the pitiful struggles for things perishab...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10. Night and day--**(See on 1Th 2:9). Night is the season for the saint's holiest meditations and prayers (2Ti 1:3). **praying--**connected with, "we joy"; we joy while we pray; or else as Alford, What thanks can we render to God while we pray? The Greek implies a beseeching request. **exceedingly--**literally, "more than exceeding abundantly" (compare Ep 3:20). **that which is lacking--*...
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I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; confession: or, profession

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things</strong> (Παραγγέλλω σοι ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῳοποιοῦντος τὰ πάντα, <em>Parangellō soi enōpion tou theou tou zōopoiountos ta panta</em>)—'I charge you before God who gives life to all things.' <em>Parangellō</em> is military command language. <em>Zōopoieō</em> means to make alive, give life. God is the life-giver and sustai...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(13) **I give thee charge in the sight of God.**—Better rendered, *I charge thee in the sight of God.* If possible, with increased earnestness and a yet deeper solemnity as the letter draws to an end does St. Paul charge that young disciple—from whom he hoped so much, and yet for whom he feared so anxiously—to keep the commandment and doctrine of his Master spotless; and, so far as in him lay, to ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

11. Translate, "May God Himself, even our Father (there being but one article in the Greek, requires this translation, 'He who is at once God and our Father'), direct," &amp;c. The "Himself" stands in contrast with "we" (1Th 2:18); we desired to come but could not through Satan's hindrance; but if God Himself direct our way (as we pray), none can hinder Him (2Th 2:16, 17). It is a remarkable proof...
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That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable</strong> (τηρῆσαί σε τὴν ἐντολὴν ἄσπιλον ἀνεπίλημπτον, <em>tērēsai se tēn entolēn aspilon anepilēmpton</em>)—'keep the commandment unstained, free from reproach.' <em>Aspilos</em> means spotless, without blemish. <em>Anepilēmptos</em> means blameless, irreproachable. <em>Entolē</em> (commandment) likely refers to Timothy's entire a...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) **That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable.**—Here St. Paul specifies what was the charge he was commending in such earnest, solemn language to his disciple and representative at Ephesus. It was that he should keep the commandment without spot, unrebukeable. The commandment was the teaching of Jesus Christ, the gospel message, *that* was to be proclaimed in all its fulness; ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. The "you" in the Greek is emphatically put first; "But" (so the Greek for "and") what concerns "YOU," whether we come or not, "may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love," &amp;c. The Greek for "increase" has a more positive force; that for "abound" a more comparative force, "make you full (supplying 'that which is lacking,' 1Th 3:10) and even abound." "The Lord" may here be the Holy...
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Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Which in his times he shall shew</strong> (ἣν καιροῖς ἰδίοις δείξει, <em>hēn kairois idiois deixei</em>)—'which He will bring about at the proper time.' <em>Kairos</em> means appointed time, opportune moment. God has set the time for Christ's appearing; it's not arbitrary or delayed but perfectly timed. <strong>Who is the blessed and only Potentate</strong> (ὁ μακάριος καὶ μόνος δυνάστης, ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(15) **Which in his times he shall shew.**—More accurately rendered, *which in his own seasons.* Here the language of fervid expectation is qualified by words which imply that in St. Paul’s mind then there was no certainty about the period of the “coming of the Lord.” It depended on the unknown and mysterious counsels of the Most High. The impression left upon our minds by the words of this and th...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**13. your hearts--**which are naturally the spring and seat of unholiness. **before God, even our Father--**rather, "before Him who is at once God and our Father." Before not merely men, but Him who will not be deceived by the mere show of holiness, that is, may your holiness be such as will stand His searching scrutiny. **coming--**Greek, "presence," or "arrival." **with all his saints--**...
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Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Who only hath immortality</strong> (ὁ μόνος ἔχων ἀθανασίαν, <em>ho monos echōn athanasian</em>)—'who alone possesses immortality.' <em>Athanasia</em> means immortality, deathlessness—from <em>a</em> (not) and <em>thanatos</em> (death). God alone is inherently immortal; creatures possess life derivatively, as His gift. <strong>Dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto</strong> (φ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **Who only hath immortality.**—The holy angels—the souls of men—are immortal. “But one alone, ‘God,’ can be said *to have immortality,” *because He, unlike other immortal beings who enjoy their immortality through the will of another, derives it from His own essence. **Dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto.**—This should be rendered, *dwelling in light unapproachable.* The Eter...
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Instructions to the Rich

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; uncertain: Gr. uncertainty of riches

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Charge them that are rich in this world</strong> (Τοῖς πλουσίοις ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι παράγγελλε, <em>Tois plousiois en tō nyn aiōni parangelle</em>)—'command those who are rich in this present age.' <em>Plousios</em> means wealthy, rich. <em>Parangellō</em> is military language: command, order. <strong>That they be not highminded</strong> (μὴ ὑψηλοφρονεῖν, <em>mē hypsēlophronein</em>)—'not to ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(17) **Charge them that are rich.**—Paul had traced up the error of the false teachers—against whose work and influence he had so earnestly warned Timothy—to covetousness, to an unholy love of money; he then spoke of this unhappy covetousness—this greed of gain, *this wish to be rich*—as the root of every evil. From this fatal snare he warned the “man of God” to flee, bidding him take courage in t...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 4 1Th 4:1-18. Exhortations to Chastity; Brotherly Love; Quiet Industry; Abstinence from Undue Sorrow for Departed Friends, For at Christ's Coming All His Saints Shall Be Glorified. **1. Furthermore--**Greek, "As to what remains." Generally used towards the close of his Epistles (Ep 6:10; Php 4:8). **then--**with a view to the love and holiness (1Th 3:12, 13) which we have just prayed...
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That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute , willing to communicate; willing: or, sociable

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>That they do good, that they be rich in good works</strong> (ἀγαθοεργεῖν, πλουτεῖν ἐν ἔργοις καλοῖς, <em>agathoergein, ploutein en ergois kalois</em>)—'to do good, to be rich in good works.' <em>Agathoergeō</em> means to do good. <em>Plouteo</em> means to be rich—here used metaphorically. Be rich in deeds, not just dollars. <em>Ergon kalos</em> means good work, noble deed. <strong>Ready to...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(18) **That they do good, that they be rich in good works.**—These words—coming directly after the statement that the good and pleasant things of this world, which are possessed in so large a share by the “rich,” are, after all, the gifts of God, who means them for our enjoyment—these words seem to point to the highest enjoyment procurable by these “rich”—the luxury of doing good, of helping other...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**2. by the Lord Jesus--**by His authority and direction, not by our own. He uses the strong term, "commandments," in writing to this Church not long founded, knowing that they would take it in a right spirit, and feeling it desirable that they should understand he spake with divine authority. He seldom uses the term in writing subsequently, when his authority was established, to other churches. 1...
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Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come</strong> (ἀποθησαυρίζοντας ἑαυτοῖς θεμέλιον καλὸν εἰς τὸ μέλλον, <em>apothēsaurizontas heautois themelion kalon eis to mellon</em>)—'storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future.' <em>Apothēsaurizō</em> means to treasure up, store away. <em>Themelion</em> means foundation. <em>Mellon</em> means what ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(19) **Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come.**—This is a concise expression, which might have been more fully worded thus—*Laying up in store for themselves a wealth of good works as a foundation, *&c. (Comp. our Lord’s words in Luke 16:9, where the same truth is taught, and a similar promise made.) Here a simple command, in complete accordance with the teac...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3. For--**enforcing the assertion that his "commandments" were "by (the authority of) the Lord Jesus" (1Th 4:2). Since "this is the will of God," let it be your will also. **fornication--**not regarded as a sin at all among the heathen, and so needing the more to be denounced (Ac 15:20).

Guard the Deposit

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: science: Gr. knowledge

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust</strong> (Ὦ Τιμόθεε, τὴν παρακαταθήκην φύλαξον, <em>Ō Timothee, tēn parakatathēkēn phylaxon</em>)—'O Timothy, guard the deposit.' <em>Parakatathēkē</em> means a deposit, something entrusted for safekeeping—the gospel and sound doctrine Paul has entrusted to Timothy. <em>Phylassō</em> means to guard, protect, keep safe. <strong>Avoiding p...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(20) **O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust.**—More literally and better rendered, *O Timothy, keep the trust committed to thee.* It is a beautiful thought which sees in these few earnest closing words the very handwriting of the worn and aged Apostle St. Paul. The Epistle, no doubt dictated by the old man, was in the handwriting of some friend of St. Paul and the Church, who acted...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4. know--**by moral self-control. **how to possess his vessel--**rather as Greek, "how to acquire (get for himself) his own vessel," that is, that each should have his own wife so as to avoid fornication (1Th 4:3; 1Co 7:2). The emphatical position of "his own" in the Greek, and the use of "vessel" for wife, in 1Pe 3:7, and in common Jewish phraseology, and the correct translation "acquire," al...
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Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Which some professing have erred concerning the faith</strong> (ἥν τινες ἐπαγγελλόμενοι περὶ τὴν πίστιν ἠστόχησαν, <em>hēn tines epangellomenoi peri tēn pistin ēstochēsan</em>)—'by professing it some have missed the mark concerning the faith.' <em>Epangellomai</em> means to profess, claim, announce. <em>Astocheō</em> means to miss the mark, deviate, wander. Those claiming superior knowledg...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(21) **Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.**—In this most probably wild and visionary “knowledge” the false teachers and their hearers sought salvation and a rule of life, and miserably failed in their efforts. The result with them was, that they lost all hold on the great doctrine of Faith in a crucified Saviour. **Grace be with thee.**—The ancient authorities are almost equall...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**5. in the lust--**Greek, "passion"; which implies that such a one is unconsciously the passive slave of lust. **which know not God--**and so know no better. Ignorance of true religion is the parent of unchastity (Ep 4:18, 19). A people's morals are like the objects of their worship (De 7:26; Psa 115:8; Ro 1:23, 24).

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