Westminster Annotations, 2 Timothy 2
ANNOTATIONS ON THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAVL THE Apostle to TIMOTHIE.
CHAP. I.
Vers. 1. PRomise of life] Eternall life hid in Christ, which God hath promised to all that beleeve in him.
V. 2. beloved sonne] He calleth Timothie his sonne in a naturall, civill and spirituall, or Ecclesiasticall respect: First, in a naturall, because Paul was now aged, and Timothie but a young man. Secondly, in a civill or morall, because Paul affected him as if he were his own sonne, and Timothie served him as a sonne doth his father; Phil. 2. 22. Thirdly, in a spirituall or Ecclesiasticall, because Paul ordained him a Minister of the Gospel. See 1 Tim. 1. 2.
V. 3. forefathers] Not his immediate forefathers, who bred him up in Pharisaisme, but his Ancestours Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, &c. who served God in the same true religion, for substance, which the Apostle now professeth. Acts 23. 1. and 24. 16.
with pure] Gr. in pure.
V. 5. call] Gr. calling.
V. 6. stirre up] Gr. kindle again; or, quicken, as fire burneth under ashes. foreign, signifieth to rekindle, or revive; for the gift of God is as it were a certain lively flame kindled in our hearts, which the flesh and the Devill go about to put out; and therefore we on the contrary must labour, as much as we can, to foster and keep it burning. In the metaphor the Apostle seemeth to allude to the type of the Priests in the Old Testament, by whose ministerie the holy fire on the Altar was cherished, (that it might not goe out) and as it slaked, blowne to a brighter flame.
the gift] Some by this gift understand the gift of Miracles, which he received by the imposition of the Apostles hands; and that by the laying hands of the Presbyterie, 1 Tim. 4. 14. he was admitted into the holy ministerie; but because there is no proof in Scripture, or undoubted Antiquity, that Timothie had the gift of Miracles, it is more probable, that by gift is here meant that Ghostly power or office which Timothie received at his ordination, by the laying on of the Apostles hands on him, in the presence of the Presbyterie, who all gave consent thereunto, and testified it by putting their hands upon him also. 1 Tim. 4. 14.
V. 7. spirit of fear] The meaning is, rouze up the gifts of God in thee, and suffer it not to be slaked or abated by carnall fear, for such a fear doth in no wise proceed from the working of the Spirit, but is quite contrary to the same which the Apostle doth mention here; lest Timothie might be affrighted with the affliction of the Church, and of Pauls in particular.
but of power] Of courage and resolution to go through with the work of the ministerie, notwithstanding all oppositions and dangers.
of love] Of a holy love of God and Christ, wherewith the faithfull being inflamed, do chearfully undergoe all manner of troubles and adversities for his sake.
sound minde] Whereby the holy Ghost doth reduce the troubled minde to tranquillitie, and banish all turbulent passions, such as fear is. Or the spirit of moderation and discretion, that we bring not causlesse troubles upon our selves, and when they come upon us, break not out into rage or impatiencie.
V. 8. afflictions of the Gospel] Be a chearfull partner with me of those troubles and afflictions which follow the profession of the Gospel. These are called afflictions of the Gospel, because as Christ suffereth in the persecution of his Members, so the Gospel after a sort suffereth, when the preachers thereof are opposed, disgraced, silenced, and imprisoned, or any way hindered from the free and powerfull preaching thereof.
V. 9. not according to our works] See Tit. 3. 5. Not for the the merit of our works, but for his own mercies sake; or, not according to works done by us in time, or foreseen by God before the world was; for these works, as in time they flowed from the grace of God, so they were foreseen likewise no otherwise then as effects of his grace in us, and consequently not as causes or inducements to God, to elect us to eternall life.
before the world began] Gr. secular times, or, everlasting. See Ephes. 1. 4. Tit. 1. 2.
V. 10. who hath abolished death] By taking away the fear and sting of the naturall death in all true beleevers, 1 Cor. 15. 55. Heb. 2. 15. and freeing them from the guilt and punishment of the eternall and second death. Rev. 2. 11. and 20. 6.
life and immortality to light] Hath given us a full and clear sight of immortalitie, whereof before we had but as a glimpse; or shewed us a clear way to life and immortalitie.
V. 11. Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, &c.] See 1 Tim. 2. 7.
V. 12. beleeved] Or, trusted.
keep that which I have committed] Either my precious soul which I have committed to his care and custodie to bring it forth glorious at that day of his appearing: Or, my eternall life, happinesse and crown of glory, which I have as it were deposited with him by faith and hope.
V. 13. form of sound words] Gr. wholesome, or, healthfull. foreign, such as conduce to the health of our souls, rather wholesom then delicate; or words not tainted with, nor savouring of any errour or heresie, false or corrupt doctrine.
V. 14. committed unto thee] See 1 Tim. 6. 20.
by the Holy Ghost] Though it be a hard thing to do it, considering what enemies lie in wait to rob us of it: yet the Spirit of God is mightie, who hath endued us with power and vertue to keep it.
V. 15. turned away from me] Leaving me in my trouble and affliction, and being ashamed of my bonds.
V. 16. my chain] See Ephes. 6. 20.
V. 17. sought me out] By this it appears, that Saint Paul was not in prison, for then Onesiphorus needed not to have made any great search to finde him; yet was he not free, but committed to the custody of the keeper, with whom he might go abroad to dispatch his affairs; and therefore in the verse going before, he speaketh not of chains in the plurall number, but of a chain in the singular, with which he was tyed to the souldier that kept him. Vid. Senec. l. 1 de tranquil. an. c. 10. Eadem catena tam reum quam militem tenc….
CHAP. II.
Vers. 1. MY sonne] See Chap. 1. 2.
in the grace that is in Christ Jesus] Be strong and couragious in the maintenance of the Gospel of Christ: or confidently relie on the favour of God, wherewith the Father embraceth us for his sonne Christ Jesus sake.
V. 2. among many witnesses] Or, by many witnesses. Either the things which thou hast heard confirmed by many witnesses and testimonies of holy Scripture, as the word witnesses is taken, Heb. 12. 1. Or, which thou heardest of me at thy ordination among the whole Presbyterie: Or, not spoken in a corner, but publikly in my preaching, before many witnesses.
V. 3. endure hardnesse] Or, suffer affliction. The ministery of the word is a spirituall warfare, wherein no man can so serve that he may please his Captain or Generall, but he must forgo and part from all hinderances which may draw him from it, and also endure much hardnesse and be put to many a hot brunt.
V. 4. No man that warreth] Warriours and souldiers busie not themselves with merchandizing, handicraft works, husbandrie or houshold affairs; but are alwaies attending their watchings, marchings, and other services and commands of their Leaders and Captains: so neither must a faithfull Minister of the Gospel trouble or distract himself with any worldly matters and affairs that may hinder him in the faithfull discharge of his sacred function.
entangleth himself] Gr. is entangled.
V. 5. strive for masteries] The Ministerie is like to a game, or striving for the masterie, wherein no man is crowned unlesse he strive according to the lawes that are prescribed, be they never so difficult or painfull.
V. 6. The husbandman, &c.] Or, The husbandman labouring first, must be partaker of the fruits.
V. 8. Remember that Jesus Christ] He confirmeth two principles of our faith which are alwaies assaulted by heretikes; the one, that Christ is the true Messias, God incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and made of the seed of David; and the other the highest Article of our Creed and mysterie of our salvation, his resurrection from the dead.
V. 9. but the word of God is not bound] Though they may confine me, and binde me fast, yet they cannot bind and fetter the Gospel of Christ, that word of his ever is and shall be free, not onelyonly preached by those who are at libertie, but even by me and other servants of Christ who are restrained and in durance.
V. 10. endure all things] Not in their stead, or that my sufferings may be imputed to them, but I endure afflictions for those offices, which I do towards the furthering of the salvation of Gods elect.
V. 11. if we be dead with him] See Rom. 5. 8. If we be afflicted with him, and persecuted even to death for his sake, we shall also live together with him eternally, and most happily in heaven.
V. 11. If we suffer] See Rom. 8. 17.
if we denie him] See Matt. 10. 33. Mar. 8. 38.
V. 13. If we beleeve not] See Rom. 3. 3.
he abideth faithfull] Though we alter never so much, yet God is the same, most just and faithfull in all his promises, and undertakings, Rom. 3. 3. Mal. 3. 6. Jam. 1. 17.
V. 14. strive not about words] foreign. Not to strive about words onelyonly, when the controversie is meer verball or nominall, and no way reall, or not at all importing faith or good manners: or, strive not with words bandying contumelious speeches, or bringing no better proof then vaunting words and boastings.
V. 15. rightly dividing] By adding nothing to it, neither over-slipping any thing, neither mangling it, nor renting it in sunder, nor wresting of it; but marking diligently what his hearers are able to bear, and what is fit for edification. The Metaphor is taken either from the cutting and squaring out of the streets and high-waies, and setting out the bounds of mens lands and possessions: or from the Priests of the Old Testament, who having slain the beasts that were to be sacrificed, did joynt and divide the same in an accurate manner: or from house-keepers that cut out and divide to every one in their families their share and portion of meat, 1 Cor. 3. 2. Luk. 12. 42. Heb. 5. 12.
V. 16. increase] Or, proceed.
V. 17. eate as doth a canker] Or, gangrene. foreign, from foreign, signifying to eat, as the disease called a Wolfe or a Canker doth, which if it be not looked to in time groweth incurable, and not onelyonly consumeth the part where it is, but spreadeth farther in the flesh: such is the nature of hereticall doctrine, if it be not stopt in the beginning and cured by solid confutations, and Ecclesiasticall censures inflicted upon those that are obstinate, it will spread far, and run over the whole body of Church, and corrupt the same, 1 Cor. 5. 7. Gal. 5. 9.
Hymeneus and Philetus] He nameth here the chiefest of those profane, and vain bablers, that being known they might be the better shun'd.
V. 18. erred] Or, missed the mark.
resurrection is past] It is probable they taught that there was no other resurrection but the spirituall rising of the soul from the death of sinne; or the renovation of the condition of the world under the Gospel, according as the word resurrection is sometimes taken.
overthrow the faith of some] That is, infect them with their heresie, and thereby subvert their orthodox faith.
V. 19. Neverthelesse] Although some slide away from the truth, we must not be offended thereat, as if the salvation of the elect were not sure.
the foundation of God] The eternall election, which is the first ground-work of the salvation of the faithfull laid by God himself cannot be shaken in such sort, that the elect of God should be seduced by the like heresies, and fall away from faith, Matth. 24. 24.
sure] Or, steadie.
having this seal] The Book of life in which the names of the elect are written is confirmed as with a seale, and the number of the elect in the fore-knowledge of God is sealed up as in a book.
Let every one] Though the Lord hath eternally fore-known those that are his, yet not so that we presuming upon that Decree should cast away all care of our salvation, and let loose the reines to all carnall libertie. For on our parts who are thus mercifully fore-known and elected to salvation, there is required a holy and a conscionable obedience, and a carefull endeavour to please God in all things, and shunne all manner of sinne.
V. 20. and some to honour] See Rom. 9. 21.
V. 21. If a man therefore purge] Cleanse himself from these hereticall and impure doctrines, and keep himself unspotted of the world by the grace and vertue of the holy Ghost that dwelleth in him, 1 Pet. 1. 22. 1 Joh. 5. 5.
vessel unto honour] The counsell of God shall be fulfilled in him, and he shall be really and effectually according as he is ordained unto it of God, a vessel of honour. Or he shall shew and approve himself to be such a vessel indeed. The like expression we have, Joh. 15. 8.
V. 23. foolish and unlearned] See 1 Tim. 1. 4. Tit. 3. 9.
V. 24. must not strive] Must not be of a contentious disposition, nor at all strive about foolish and unlearned questions, vers. 23.
patient] Or, forbearing. To winne them through our patient bearing with them, but not to please them, or excuse them in their wickednesse.
V. 25. oppose themselves] Gr. set themselves against him. or, are ill affected to him.
repentance to the acknowledging] The knowledge of the truth goeth before repentance, yet true repentance goeth before the publike recantation of their errour, and particular acknowledgement of that truth they before gain-sayed and opposed.
V. 26. recover] Gr. awake.
snare of the devil] Hereticall doctrines are the snares wherein the devill intangleth the understanding of seduced men, as vitious provocations are the snares wherein he intangleth the wils and affections of dissolute persons.
taken captive] Gr. taken alive.
at his will] Gr. to.
CHAP. III.
Vers. 1. IN the last dayes] See 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Pet. 3. 3. Jude 18. The end of the world is the harvest, and when the sins of Antichrist and of all his followers shall be ripe, then will the Angel thrust in his fickle and mow the earth, Apoc. 14. 16. 18. 1 Tim. 4. 1.
perilous times] Gr. hard. We may not hope for a Church in this world without corruption, but there shall be rather great abundance of most wicked men, even in the very bosome of the Church, who notwithstanding shall make a shew and countenance of great holinesse.
V. 2. lovers of their own selves] Such persons have been in all ages of the Church, but towards the end of the world being as it were the lees and dregs of time, there shall be almost none but such: these vices being spread over the whole face of the Church, and the mentioned evils become Epidemicall.
covetous] Gr. lovers of silver; or, money.
boasters, proud] See Rom. 1. 29, 30.
V. 3. false accusers] Or, make-bates.
V. 4. high-minded] Gr. puffed up.
V. 5. Having a forme of godlinesse] Or, formalitie. Not foreign, but foreign, not the true forme and essence of godlinesse, but an outward conformation thereunto, a resemblance, vizard, or shew of holinesse; mens religion consisting in a formall profession of godlinesse, (Tit. 1. 16.) without expressing the power and efficacie thereof in their lives: Or in externall gestures, behaviours, rites, and ceremonies, without the pure inward worship of God in spirit and truth.
V. women laden with sinnes] Silly women are more easily deceived, and those of them are more apt to be misled in their judgements which are given up to lewd and wanton courses. Josephus Antiq. Jud. 2. observeth that the Pharisces had their Gynaecea, Colledges or meeting of women; and Saint Jerome ad Ctes. that Simon Magus had his Helena, Marcion his female fore-runner, Appelles his Philomena, Montanus his Maximilla, Donatus his Lucillia. Eplpidius his Agape, Priscillian his Galla, Arius the Prince his sister; and generally all arch-heretikes some strumpet or other, by whom they spread the poyson of their heresie.
V. 7. Ever learning] The Apostle taxeth not these women for endevouring by continuall learning to improve their knowledge; but for curious inquiring into every noveltie of doctrine, and following now one teacher, now another, having no care to attain to found and saving truth.
V. 8.Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses] The names of the chiefe of the Egyptian socerers that strove with Moses, whose names are not expressed, Exod. 7. 11. yet are here related by the Apostle, either out of some Jewish writers, not now extant, or from some ancient tradition. Howsoever, certain it is, that these Magitians names were famous, or rather infamous, for Numenius the Phthagorean Philosopher, and Artabanus the Historian make mention of them both, and Plinie in hsi Naturall Story, l. 3. c. 1 nameth one of them, to wit, Jannes. See Euseb. de praep. Evang. l. 9. c. 3.
reprobate concerning the faith] Or, of no judgement. Whose doctrines are abominable before God, and ought to be rejected of all; or, who have lost all right and sound judgement in things that belong to the Faith, Rom. 1. 18. 26. Titus 1. 16.
V. 9. proceed no further] He addeth a comfort, that God will at length pluck off all the vizards of Hypocrites and false teachers.
solly] Or, madnesse.
V. 10. thou hast] Or, thou hast been a diligent follower of.
fully known] Thou knowest throughly, not onelyonly what I taught and did, but also how I was minded and disposed.
V. 11. afflictions] Gr. sufferings.
V. 12. shall suffer persecution] Gr. shall be persecuted.
V. 13. worse and worse] 2 Pet. 2. 20. 22.
deceiving, and being deceived] Deceiving others by their sophismes and faire shew of holinesse, and being deceived by Satan.
V. 15. from a childe] There is nothing more profitable then to be exercised in the Scriptures from our infancie; for the vessels that are at the first seasoned with the favour of life, seldome or never lose it, Prov. 22. 6. And though while they are very young, they cannot come to much understanding, yet the having of Scripture phrase and texts by heart, is very usefull, and will much stead them after they come to riper yeers, and are able to dive deeper into the meaning of those things they retain perfect in their memories from their childhood.
wise unto salvation, through faith] Although the Scripture sufficiently instruct us to salvation, yet we cannot be saved without a lively faith working through love, therefore he addeth through faith: Or, by Scriptures he meaneth the Scriptures of the Old Testament, which it is like were onelyonly extant when Timothie was a child, the knowledge whereof could not save Timothie without faith in Christ, whereby he beleeved the accomplishment of all those things which were fore-shewed in the Old Testament, both by predictions and types.
V. 16. All Scripture is given] See 2 Pet. 1. 21. Or, the whole Scripture, as the word is taken, 1 Cor. 13. 2. and elsewhere. Every part of the Scripture is divinely inspired, 2 Pet. 1. 20, 21. and is profitable to some of these ends, to furnish the man of God to some good works: but the whole Scripture is profitable to all those ends, to furnish him to every good work. The parts of the Scriptures as they were delivered were sufficient for the instruction of those to whom they were delivered; and now the whole is most sufficient for us, and all Churches to the end of the world.
V. 17. man of God] The Minister of God in his Church, 1 Tim. 6. 11.
perfect] Gr. accomplished.
throughly furnished] Or, perfected.
furnished unto all good works] That is, to all the services of his profession, to those works of his calling he mentioned before, namely doctrine of the principles of Christian Religion, reproof of errours and false doctrines, correction of life and evill manners, and instruction in the precepts of a holy life and Christian conversation.
CHAP. IIII.
Vers. 1. I Charge thee therefore] Gr. testifie, or, denounce. This is my principall and chief charge of all.
before God and the Lord Jesus Christ] This deep kinde of charging Timothie, in so vehement and patheticall a manner, sheweth how urgent and important the matter is, how simply necessary diligent and constant preaching is in a Minister of the Gospel, and how fearfull his case is, if he fail in this dutie of his function.
judge of quick and dead] See 1 Cor. 15. 51. 1 Thess. 4. 17.
V. 2. in season, out of season] Upon all occasions, with a holy importunitie. There is no contradiction in these commands, both may and ought to be done by a faithfull Minister of God, who preacheth in season, when God offereth him a fair opportunitie, and the hearers desire, Nehem. 8. 1. and call for the Word, and the argument he handleth, is seasonable for the time. Out of season, when a door of utterance is opened unto him, that he may preach, but his hearers are not willing to hear, either because they are ill affected to the Word, or distracted by other businesses, or they like not to hear such points touched or meddled with at such a time, when yet he knoweth it to be needfull for the health of their souls, to hear such doctrines handled, or duties prest.
exhort] Or, comfort.
V. 3. sound doctrine] Gr. wholesome. See 1 Tim. 1. 10.
V. 4. ears] Gr. hearing.
V. 5. watch thou] Or, be sober. The wickednesse and falling away of the world ought to call faithfull Ministers to be so much the more carefull and vigilant; and so likewise the taking away of those who laboured with them before in that office. Vers. 6. John 1. 2. Col. 4. 17.
make full] Or, fulfill.
readie to be offered] To be sacrificed or Martyred. The word in the Originall foreign, signifieth properly libation, or a drink-offering; and he alludeth to the powring out of blood, or wine which was used in sacrifice, and seemeth withall to intimate the manner of death, wherewith he was to glorifie God, which was not by being offered as a holocaust by fire, as Polycarpe, and many others were, but by a death wherein his blood was shed or powred out, namely beheading.
departure] Gr. dissolution. See Phil. 1. 23.
V. 7. fought a good sight] Gr. that good fight. See 1 Tim. 6. 12.
I have finished my course] I am come to the period of my dayes; Vixi, & quem dederat cursum fortuna peregi. And in this metaphor he seemeth to allude to the manner of his whole life, which after his conversion was spent as it were, wholly in running from place to place, speedily to desperse the doctrine of the Gospel, and now he was come to the last Stage or Goal at Rome, where he was to receive his Garland, after the manner of those who ran for prizes, 1 Cor. 9. 24, 25.
kept the faith] The true doctrine of faith; or the gift of saving and justifying faith; or the faithfulnesse which he promised Christ in the discharge of his Apostleship. Rev. 2. 10.
V. 8. a crown of righteousnesse] A reward of just and holy works, an incorruptible Crown of glory, which though it be a Crown of mercy, Psal. 103. 4. and a gift of grace, Rom. 6. 23. yet he calleth it here a Crown of righteousnesse, which the righteous Judge shall give him the more fitly, to follow the metaphor taken from runners or wrestlers for prizes, at their solemne exercises or games in Greece, in which there were certain Judges appointed to observe those that proved masteries, and give just sentence on the Conquerours side, if he strove lawfully, and fairly wonne the prize. And the meaning of the Apostle is, that he had kept the laws of proving masteries, and so acquitted himself in running and wrestling, that he might justly expect the prize. Besides, eternall life may be rightly termed a Crown of righteousnesse, both ex parte Dei, who promiseth it to every one that overcometh, Revel. 2. 10. & 3. 21. and ex parte rei, because it is just and righteous with God to render unto them who have endured for his sake toylsome labours, painfull torments, and disgracefull reproaches, ease, joy and glory. 2 Thes. 1. 6, 7.
love his appearing] That they may see him in glory, who suffered so much for them in this world, and that they may receive from him their everlasting reward.
V. 10. loved this present world] Hath given over to tend on me in my affliction any longer, chusing rather to follow his worldly occasions, and provide for his own safety and profit.
V. 13. cloak that I left at Troas] foreign, which some take for a riding Coate, or travelling Cloak, as if it were made by a transposition of letters, from the Latine penula; but the most ancient Syriac interpreter takes it for domum, or, repositorium scriptorion; and Hesychius a most exquisite Greek Grammarian inclineth to that opinion, that by it the Apostle meant scriniolum, a little Desk or Coffer, wherein he laid his books or writings.
V. 14. Alexander the Copper-smith] Covetousnesse is the bane of religion. Two of the greatest enemies Saint Paul had, were two Smithes, the one a Silver-smith, Acts 19. 24. and this Copper-smith here, and both of them, as it is conceived, maligned and opposed him, and his preaching for the same reason, because the Apostle taught they were no Gods that were made with hands, and thereby hindered their gain, and marred their Handicraft, which was to make silver, or Copper Shrines, or Images to the Heathen gods and goddesses.
the Lord reward him] Gr. Tec. shall reward him. This is not a curse, proceeding from anger, or a revengefull heart, which is contrary to the doctrine of Christ, Matth. 5. 44. and of Saint Paul himself, Rom. 12. 14. but a Propheticall commination out of a godly zeal, and a prediction inspired by the holy Ghost of the punishment which was ready to be executed upon him. See Psal. 5. 10. & 109. 7. & deinceps. With this interpretation agreeth the Greek Copie of, of great Antiquity, written, as it is supposed by Tecla, wherein the Verb is not foreign, but foreign, the Lord reward, but the Lord shall or will reward him according to his works.
V. 15. our words] Or, our preachings.
V. 16. answer] Gr. apologie, or, defence of my self.
that it may not be laid to their charge] It is not sufficient for us to maintain the truth our selves, but we must assist them who stand up for the truth, and not timorously shrink from them when they are in trouble for it.
V. 17. stood with me] Gr. by me, or, assisted me.
mouth of the lion] Out of great and imminent danger of death. Some by the Lion understand the Emperour Nero, so called for his rage and crueltie; as generally Tyrants and powerfull enemies of the Church are called Ezek. 19. 2. Psal. 35. 17. & 91. 13. Proverbs 28. 15. Jerem. 2. 15. & 4. 7. And Marsyas certifying his Patron at Rome of the death of Tiberius, useth this phrase, foreign, the Lion is dead. Josephus antiqu. l. 18. c. 6.
V. 18. every evill work] From forsaking or wronging the truth, or doing any thing out of cowardly fear that may blemish this my holy profession.
V. 20. at] Gr. in.
at] Gr. in.