1 Timothy 1

1 Timothy 1:2

MY own] the Italian, my true; whom I have intrusted with a fatherly care in the faith of the Gospel, and who also conformeth himself to my precepts by a loyall profession and observancy, and by an enterchangeable affection and bond towards me, see 1 Corinthians 4:17.

1 Timothy 1:4

Fables] he seems to mean the Jews fabulous histories, which at the first were composed for allegories, and afterwards were beleeved to be true: whereunto that nation hath at all times been much given Endlesse] whereof there can be no certain nor finall resolution had, as they have no certain foundation, and therefore are like Labirinths without any issue.Genealogies] it is likely that he xes those curious and scrupulous searchings after Jewish Genealogies, and chiefly after those which concern Christs birth, about which there were great controversies in the Church; for Herod having burnt all the publike Records in which they were preserved, to extinguish all manner of proofs of Davids issue, many, either by tradition, or by their particular memories, did 〈…〉e some with much uncertainty: And though Saint Matthew and Saint Luke had gathered what was certain thereof, yet these curious persons would not content themselves therewith Then edifying] rather then instruction, confirmation, or advancement in the knowledge, love, and service of God, the onely foundation whereof is faith in Christ, contrary to all vain and ambiguous questions.

1 Timothy 1:5

The end] against these Jewish disputations, which bred controversies and divisions; the Apostle sheweth the true use of the Law in beleevers and regenerate men A pure] namely, sanctified by the holy Ghost, by means of a lively faith in Christ.

1 Timothy 1:7

To be] that is to say, to seem so, and to be held for such.

1 Timothy 1:8

Lawfully] according to Gods order and intention, which is, that sinfull man might thereby learn lively to acknowledge his sin and condemnation, to fle unto the remedie of grace in Christ, Rom. 3. 20. and 7. 7 Galatians 3:24. And that the regenerate man may take it for a rule of all his actions, a curbe to his will, and a guide to his life; and neither of them to found their righteousnesse or subsistencie before God upon it, nor the observation of it, which is in Christ alone.

1 Timothy 1:9

That the Law] he sheweth that contrary to the opinion of those false Doctors, the Law, as it is composed of so many threatnings, forbiddings, and other rigous, doth carry a certain proof with it of mans perversnesse; whereby it is evident, that he hath no naturall disposition, or voluntary inclination to fulfill it: for otherwise he would apply himselfe thereunto of his own proper motion, as beleevers, and those who are regenerate by Gods Spirit do, who having the habit of righteousnesse in themselves, as an inward and living Law, have no need of the terrour thereof, and also being justified in Christ, are freed from the curse of it: seeing that a Soveraigns sentence given in the behalfe of one, stayeth and endeth all Actions of the Law, which tend to accusing or condemning him Lawlesse] he names certain grievous sins, not but that the Law condemns all others, even the least, but onely to reprove those hypocrites, who were so zealous of the Law and the righteousnesse thereof, and yet were stained with most horrible vices, see Romans 2:21-22.

1 Timothy 1:10

Men ste〈…〉rs] or plagiaries, namely, such as stole away or received other mens servants. Or bought and sold, or held for slves such as were free men Liers] the Italian, false witnesses; the Greek word indeed signifieth plain liers; but because the other sins which are here mentioned are of of a more grievous kinde; it seems that it must bee here taken for such as lie in bearing witnesse, in swearing and publike act, &c To sound] namely, to the pure doctrine of the Gospel, which doth not deroge one whit from the rigour of the Law in condemning of sinne, but doth rather authorize and confirm it, Matth. 5. 19, 21 Rom 3:3.

1 Timothy 1:11

The glorious Gospel] the Italian, To the Gospel of the glory; namely, the Gospel which is altogether glorious and divine, as well in splendor of truth, as in power and efficacy of Spirit, to discover and condemn sin, see 〈◊〉Cor. 3. 9, 18. and 4. 4. The end of the Apostle is, to shew that for thise of the Law to condemn wicked men, there was no need to recall the Law of 〈…〉ses, and the discipline thereof, seeing the Gospell did fully perform that office; and he a true Apostle, more then the false Doctors his adversaries.

1 Timothy 1:12

Inable me] the Italian, strengthned 〈◊〉; that is to say, By whose power and vertue the Gospell worketh so powerfully, He counted me] that is to say, Hath honoured me with a charge, in which faithfulnesse is required above all things, which he knoweth to be in me because he gave it me, and preserves it in me by his grace, 1 Corinthians 7:25.

1 Timothy 1:13

Mercy] my sinne hath not been irremissible, as theirs that sin against the holy Ghost, fighting knowingly and wilfully against divine truth, which is known and sealed in the heart,Matthew 12:1-50. 1 Heb. 6. 4. and 10. 26 Ignorantly] by a false zeal without knowledge, see Acts 3:17.

1 Timothy 1:14

With faith] he opposeth his faith to his former incredulity, and his love to his crueltie, see 2 Timothy 1:13 Which is in] this love of mine is spirituall, and an effect of my communion with Christ.

1 Timothy 1:15

Came into] that is to say, Hath taken humane flesh upon him.

1 Timothy 1:16

In me first] namely, before any of those who beleeved through his ministery, or soveraignly, and excellently.

1 Timothy 1:17

Onely wise] he seems to have an especiall relation to Gods providence, who had so miraculously brought to passe the work of his conversion.

1 Timothy 1:18

To the prophecies] they were speciall divine revelations inspired in the Prophets of thse times, by which God signified unto his Church the calling of such and such persons to his ministery, as Acts 13:1-2. 1 Timothy 4:14 By them] being by God and them assured of thy calling, and that his grace and blessing will accompany thee Warre] that is to say, That like a souldier mustered under Christs banners, thou mayest carry thy self faithfully and valiantly in thine office, and set upon and destroy the devils kingdom, and advance Christs.

1 Timothy 1:19

Faith] namely, sufficient knowledge, full assurance, and sincere profession of the truth of the Gospell Which some] because they had a wicked will and heart God hath punished them, taking away the Spirit of light from them, that in the midst of the cose of their vocation, they might lose their faith, and be drowned in errour and heresie.

1 Timothy 1:20

Delivered unto] see upon 1 Corinthians 5:5