1 Timothy 1

Chap. I. Ver. 1—18. Timothy’s education in the principles of the gospel, in which he is exhorted to persevere.—In our Table of Paul’s Epistles, we have followed Horne, and other respectable authorities, in placing this the last, and only just before his martyrdom, in A. D. 65, as himself intimates, ((1 Timothy 4:6).) It was, therefore, written during his last imprisonment at Rome, with many other Christians, under the pretence of their setting fire to the city, though Nero well enough knew, as all the world have long since known, that he was himself the criminal. In the opening of the former Epistle, we have noticed the origin of Timothy, with the conversion of his mother and grandmother; and we here learn the pious education which he had received under their instruction, which had been sanctified to promote his growth in knowledge and in grace.

Timothy, ever it should seem, was naturally meek and timid, and perhaps rather backward in exposing himself to danger; the apostle therefore animates and encourages him by several important considerations:—1. Jesus Christ has **witnessed a good confession,’ when he stood at the bar of Pilate on our account, and shall we be ashamed to bear testimony to him, or to confirm and ratify his word? 2. Consider the love of God, “who hath saved us, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace in Christ Jesus, before the world began;’ shall we not value and return love and grace thus ancient and distinguishing? 3. Recollect what our Saviour Jesus Christ has done for us: he has encountered all the powers of hell on our behalf; he “hath (virtually) abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light.”

4. Remember, also, I Paul am a prisoner, ready to fill up ‘whatever is behind of the sufferings of Christ;” ready to be offered up in sacrifice on the altar of martyrdom; and wilt not thou, my son Timothy, be partaker with me in my afflictions? Thou knowest I am suffering, though wrongfully, as a criminal; but I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that Christ is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day—namely, the duty of a faith grace that is in Christ Jesus. I, when he shall appear the second time to judgment. But what is it which the apostle had committed into the hands of Christ? “I think, (says Dr. Watts,) there is no need to limit or confine the trust; all that belongs to poor sinful man, which God the Father had appointed Christ to take care of, may be included in this depositum, this important trust.

I have committed my whole person, soul and body, with all my spiritual concerns in this world, and all my everlasting interests in the world to come, into the hands of Christ; my soul, and the affairs of my eternity; and this the apostle seems to have chiefly in his eye, because he was now ready to leave the body, and this present life.’ So Christ, on the cross, commits his soul into the hands of his Father, ((Luke 23:46)) and so Stephen, the first martyr, ((Acts 7:59). Watts’ Evan. Disc. ix.) Some, however, think the apostle alludes rather to the gospel—to that sacred deposit which had been committed into his hands, and which he was now ready to transfer into the hands of Christ; and this may certainly be included.

The apostle then exhorts Timothy to “hold fast the form of sound words’—the system of divine truth, which he had received from him, and to cherish those extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit which had also been received by his means. He then laments that the brethren of Asia had deserted him, in a cowardly manner, in his extremity, (two of them in particular;) but affectionately acknowledges the kindness of Onesiphorus, who, when he came to Rome, diligently inquired him out, visited him in prison, and was not ashamed of his chain. Of Onesiphorus we know nothing but what is here mentioned; that, out of attachment to St. Paul and to his cause, he carefully sought him out, while others were afraid to own him, and was not ashamed either of his poverty or his chain, but ministered to him with great kindness, both in Ephesus and in Rome.

In return for this, the apostle implored mercy for him, and a blessing upon his family, who were probably numerous and kind also.