1Ti 1:10, 6:3, 2Ti 1:13, 4:3, Tit 1:9, 13, 2:1-2, 8 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 10. For whoremongers . . For them that defile themselves with mankind . Sodomites. See the evidence that this crime abounded in ancient times, . It was forbidden by the law of Moses, and was punishable with death. . For menstealers . The word here used ανδραποδιστης occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means one who steals another for the purpose of making him a slave--a kidnapper. This is the common way in which men are made slaves. Some, indeed, are taken in war and sold as slaves, but the mass of those who have been reduced to servitude have become slaves by being kidnapped. Children are stolen from their parents, or wives from their husbands, or husbands from their wives, or parents from their children, or whole families are stolen together. None become slaves voluntarily, and consequently the whole process of making slaves partakes of the nature of theft of the worst kind. What theft is like that of stealing a man's children, or his wife, or his father or mother! The guilt of manstealing is incurred essentially by those who purchase those who are thus stolen--as the purchaser of a stolen horse, knowing it to be so, participates in the crime. A measure of that criminality also adheres to all who own slaves, and who thus maintain the system-for it is a system known to have been originated by theft. This crime was expressly forbidden by the law of God, and was made punishable with death, . For liars . . For perjured persons . Those who swear falsely. ; . And if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine . To sound or correct teaching --for so the word doctrine means. The meaning is, if there is anything else that is opposed to the instruction which the law of God gives. (a) "doctrine"

1 Timothy 1:10

Verse 10. For whoremongers. Lev 19:29, 20:5.

For them that defile themselves with mankind. Sodomites. See the evidence that this crime abounded in ancient times, Rom 1:27. It was forbidden by the law of Moses, and was punishable with death. Lev 20:13.

For menstealers. The word here used ανδραποδιστης occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means one who steals another for the purpose of making him a slave--a kidnapper. This is the common way in which men are made slaves. Some, indeed, are taken in war and sold as slaves, but the mass of those who have been reduced to servitude have become slaves by being kidnapped. Children are stolen from their parents, or wives from their husbands, or husbands from their wives, or parents from their children, or whole families are stolen together. None become slaves voluntarily, and consequently the whole process of making slaves partakes of the nature of theft of the worst kind. What theft is like that of stealing a man's children, or his wife, or his father or mother! The guilt of manstealing is incurred essentially by those who purchase those who are thus stolen--as the purchaser of a stolen horse, knowing it to be so, participates in the crime. A measure of that criminality also adheres to all who own slaves, and who thus maintain the system-for it is a system known to have been originated by theft. This crime was expressly forbidden by the law of God, and was made punishable with death, Ex 21:16, De 24:7.

For liars. Lev 6:2-4, 19:11.

For perjured persons. Those who swear falsely. Lev 19:12, 6:3; Ex 20:7.

And if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. To sound or correct teaching--for so the word doctrine means. The meaning is, if there is anything else that is opposed to the instruction which the law of God gives.

(a) "doctrine" 2Ti 4:3, Tit 1:9

1 Timothy 6:3

Verse 3. If any man teach otherwise. Any otherwise than that respect should be shown to masters; and that a more cheerful and ready service should be rendered because they were Christians. It is evidently implied here that some might be disposed to inculcate such views of religion as would produce discontent and a spirit of insubordination among those who were held to servitude. Who they were is not known, nor is it known what arguments they would employ to do it, It would seem probable that the arguments which would be employed would be such as these:--that God made all men equal; that all had been redeemed by the same blood; that all true Christians were fellow-heirs of heaven; and that it was wrong to hold a Christian brother in bondage, etc. From Undeniable principles it would seem that they drew the inference that slaves ought at once to assert their freedom; that they should refuse obedience to their masters; and that the tendency of their teaching was, instead of removing the evil by the gradual and silent influence of Christian principles, to produce discontent and insurrection. From some of the expressions here used by the apostle, as characteristic of these teachers, it would seem to be probable that these persons were Jews. They were men given to subtle disputations, and those who doted about questions and verbal disputes, and who were intent on gain, supposing that that which conduced to mere worldly prosperity was of course religion. These characteristics apply well to Jewish teachers.

And consent not to wholesome words. Words conducing to a healthful state of the church; that is, doctrines tending to produce order and a due observance of the proprieties of life; doctrines leading to contentment, and sober industry, and the patient endurance of evils. Even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. The doctrines of the Saviour--all of which tended to a quiet life, and to a patient endurance of wrongs. And to the doctrine which is according to godliness. Which tends to produce piety or religion; that is, the doctrine which would be most favourable to an easy and rapid propagation of the gospel. The idea seems to be, that such a state of insubordination and discontent as they would produce, would be unfavourable to the promotion of religion. Who can doubt it?

(a) "words" 2Ti 1:13 (b) "according to godliness" Tit 1:1

2 Timothy 1:13

Verse 13. Hold fast the form of sound words. 1Timm 1:3. On the Greek word here rendered "form," 1Timm 1:16, where it is rendered pattern. The word means a form, sketch, or imperfect delineation--an outline. Grotius says that it here means "an exemplar, but an exemplar fixed in the mind--an idea." Calvin says that the command is that he should adhere to the doctrine which he had learned, not only in its substance, but in its form. Archbishop Tilotson explains this as meaning the profession of faith which was made by Christians at baptism. There seems to be an allusion to some summary or outline of truth which Paul had given to Timothy, though there is no evidence that it was written. Indeed, there is every presumption that, if it refers to such a summary, it was not committed to writing. If it had been, it would have been regarded as inspired, and would have taken its place in the canon of Scripture. It may be presumed that almost none of the sacred writings would have been more sacredly preserved than such a condensed summary of Christian truth. But there is no improbability in supposing that Paul, either at his ordination, or on some other occasion, may have stated the outlines of the Christian religion to Timothy, that he might have a clear and connected view of the subject. The passage, therefore, may be used as an argument for the propriety of some brief summary of doctrine as a matter of convenience, though not as having binding authority on the consciences of others.

Of sound words. Comp. 1Timm 6:3. The Greek is the same in both places.

Which thou hast heard of me. This proves that he does not refer to a written creed, since what he refers to was something which he had heard.

In faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Hold these truths with sincere faith in the Lord Jesus, and with that love which is the best evidence of attachment to him.

2 Timothy 4:3

Verse 3. For the time will come, etc. Probably referring to the time mentioned in 2Ti 3:1, seq.

When they will not endure sound doctrine. Greek, healthful doctrine; i.e., doctrine contributing to the health of the soul, or to salvation. At that time they would seek a kind of instruction more conformable to their wishes and feelings.

But after their own lusts. They will seek such kind of preaching as will accord with their carnal desires; or such as will palliate their evil propensities, and deal gently with their vices. Comp. Isa 30:10, "Speak unto us smooth things; prophesy deceits."

Shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. The word rendered heap επισωρευω--does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means to heap up upon, to accumulate; and here to multiply. The word rendered itching--κνηθω--also occurs only in this place in the New Testament. It means to rub, to scratch; and then to tickle, and here to feel an itching for something pleasing or gratifying. The image is derived from the desire which we have when there is an itching sensation, to have it rubbed or scratched. Such an uneasiness would these persons have to have, some kind of instruction that would allay their restless and uneasy desires, or would gratify them. In explanation of this passage we may observe,

(1.) that there will be always religious teachers of some kind, and that, in proportion as error and sin abound, they will be multiplied. The apostle here says, that by turning away from Timothy, and from sound instruction, they would not abandon all religious teachers, but would rather increase and multiply them. Men often declaim much against a regular ministry, and call it priestcraft; and yet, if they were to get rid of such a ministry, they would by no means escape from all kinds of religious teachers. The deeper the darkness, and the more gross the errors, and the more prevalent the wickedness of men, the more will a certain kind of religious teachers abound, and the more it will cost to support them. Italy and Spain swarm with priests, and in every heathen nation they constitute a very numerous class of the population. The cheapest ministry on the earth is a well-educated Protestant clergy, and if society wishes to free itself from swarms of preachers, and prophets, and exhorters, it should secure the regular services of an educated and pious ministry.

(2.) In such classes of persons as the apostle here refers to, there is a restless, uneasy desire to have some kind of preachers. They have "itching ears." They will be ready to run after all kinds of public instructors. They will be little pleased with any, and this will be one reason why they will have so many. They are fickle, and unsettled, and never satisfied. desire to hear the truth, and to learn the way of salvation, is a good desire. But this can be better gratified by far under the patient and intelligent labour of a single religious teacher, than by running after many teachers, or than by frequent changes. How much would a child learn if he were constantly running from one school to another?

(3.) Such persons would have teachers according to "their own lusts;" that is, their own tastes, or wishes. They would have those who would coincides with their whims; who would foster every vagary which might enter their imagination; who would countenance every wild project for doing good; who would be the advocates of the errors which they held; and who would be afraid to rebuke their faults. These are the principles on which many persons choose their religious teachers. The true principle should be, to select those who will faithfully declare the truth, and who will not shrink from exposing and denouncing sin, wherever it may be found.

(*) "lusts" "desires"

Titus 1:9

Verse 9. Holding fast the faithful word. That is, the true doctrines of the gospel. This means, that he is to hold this fast, in opposition to one who would wrest it away, and in opposition to all false teachers, and to all systems of false philosophy. He must be a man who is firm in his belief of the doctrines of the Christian faith, and a man who can be relied on to maintain and defend those doctrines in all circumstances. Comp. 2Thes 2:15.

As he hath been taught. Marg., in teaching. Gr., "according to the teaching." The sense is, according to that doctrine as taught by the inspired teachers of religion. It does not mean as he had individually been taught; but he was to hold the faith as it was delivered by those whom the Saviour had appointed to make it known to mankind. The phrase, "the doctrine," or "the teaching," had a sort of technical meaning, denoting the gospel as that which had been communicated to mankind, not by human reason, but by teaching.

That he may be able by sound doctrine. By sound teaching, or instruction. 1Timm 1:10; 1Timm 4:16. He was not to dictate, or to denounce; but to seek to convince by the statement of the truth. 2Ti 2:25.

Both to exhort and to convince. To persuade them, or to bring them over to your views by kind exhortation, and by the instruction which shall convince. The former method is to be used where men know the truth, but need encouragement to follow it; the latter, where they are ignorant, or are opposed to it. Both exhortation and argument are to be used by the ministers of religion.

The gainsayers. Opposers. Literally, those who speak against; that is, against the truth. Rom 10:21.

(f) "Holding fast" 2Thes 2:15 (3) "as he hath been taught" "in teaching"

Titus 1:13

Verse 13. This witness is true. That is, this testimony, long before borne by one of their own number, was true when the apostle wrote to Titus. The fact that this was the general character of the people, was a reason why he should be on his guard in introducing men into the ministry, and in the arrangement of affairs pertaining to the church. That it was true, see proofs in Wetstein.

Wherefore rebuke them. 2Ti 4:2.

Sharply. αποτομως--cuttingly, severely--from αποτεμνω, to cut off. The word is used here in the sense of severity, meaning that the reproof should be such as would be understood, and would show them plainly the wickedness of such traits of character, he was not to be mealy-mouthed, but he was to call things by their right names, and not to spare their faults. When men know that they are doing wrong, we should tell them so in few words; if they do not know it, it is necessary to teach them, in order to convince them of their error.

That they may be sound in the faith. That they may not allow the prevailing vices to corrupt their views of religion.

(*) "witness" "testimony" (a) "rebuke them sharply" 2Ti 4:2

Titus 2:1-2

Titus CHAPTER 2

ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER.

IN the previous chapter, the apostle had directed Titus what to do in the organization of churches in the various cities of Crete, and had put him on his guard in doing it, by showing the character of the people he had to deal with. In this chapter, he gives him various instructions as to his own method of teaching, showing what kind of doctrines he should inculcate, and what kind of instructions he should give to the various classes of his hearers. He was, in general, to speak only such things as became sound doctrine, Tit 2:1. In particular, he was to instruct aged men to be sober, grave, and temperate--acting in a manner that became their time of life, Tit 2:2; the aged women to be a proper example to the younger females, and to exercise a proper care over them, Tit 2:3-5; the young men to be sober-minded, Tit 2:6; Titus himself, who evidently came under the class of young men, was to be an example to them in all things, Tit 2:7,8; and servants were to be instructed to perform their duty to their masters with fidelity, Tit 2:9,10. The duty of giving these instructions is then enforced by a reference to the nature and design of the gospel, Tit 2:11-15. That grace which brings salvation has appeared to all mankind, and its design is to make all holy who embrace it, and to teach all to live for a higher and a better world.

Verse 1. But speak thou. In thine own ministry. In the previous chapter he had given him instructions as to the kind of persons who were to be put into the sacred office. Here he gives him special instructions in regard to his own breaching.

The things which become sound doctrine. To wit, those which he proceeds immediately to specify. On the phrase sound doctrine, 1Timm 1:10, comp. 2Ti 4:3. Verse 2. That the aged men. All aged men--for there is no reason to suppose that the apostle refers particularly to those who were in office, or who were technically elders, or presbyters. If he had, he would have used the common word-- πρεσβυτερος presbyter (see Mt 15:2, 16:21, 21:23, 26:3,47,57,59, 1Timm 5:1,17,19, Tit 1:5 Jas 5:14, 1Pet 5:1,) instead of the unusual word-- πρεσβυτης an old or aged man--a word which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in Lk 1:18, "For I am an old man," and Phm 1:9, "being such an one as Paul the aged." It is in no instance applied to an office. Besides, the instructions which Titus was to give to such men was not that which peculiarly pertained to elders as officers in the church, but to all old men. The idea is, that he was to adapt his instructions to the peculiar character of different classes of his hearers. The aged needed special instructions, and so did the young.

Be sober. Marg., vigilant. See the word explained 1Timm 3:2, where it is rendered vigilant. In 1Timm 3:11, the same word is rendered sober.

Grave. Serious. 1Timm 3:8. Compare Php 4:8, where the same word is rendered honest.

Temperate. σωφρονας. Rather, prudent, or sober-minded. See it explained 1Timm 3:2, where it is rendered sober. Also, Tit 1:8.

Sound in faith. 1Timm 1:10; Tit 1:13.

In charity. In love. 1Cor 13:1, seq. The meaning is, that an old man should evince love for all, especially for those who are good. He should have overcome, at his time of life, all the fiery, impetuous, envious, wrathful passions of his early years, and his mind should be subdued into sweet benevolence to all mankind.

In patience. In the infirmities of old age--in the trials resulting from the loss of the friends of their early years --in their loneliness in the world, they should show that the effect of all God's dealings with them has been to produce patience. The aged should submit to the trials of their advanced years, also, with resignation--for they will soon be over. A few more sighs, and they will sigh no more; a little longer bearing up under their infirmities, and they will renew their youth before the throne of God.

(a) "aged men" Prov 16:31 (1) "sober" "vigilant"

Titus 2:8

Verse 8. Sound speech. 1Timm 1:10. He was to use language that would be spiritually healthful (υγιη;) that is, true, pure, uncorrupted.--This word, and its correlatives, is used in this sense, in the New Testament, only by the apostle Paul. It is commonly applied to the body, meaning that which is healthful, or whole. See Lk 5:31, 6:10, 7:10, 15:27, Mt 12:13, 15:31, Mk 3:5, 5:34 Jn 5:4,6,9,11,14,15, 7:23, Acts 4:10, 3Jn 1:2. For Paul's use of the word, see 1Timm 1:10, 6:3, 2Ti 1:13, 4:3, Tit 1:9,13, 2:1,2,8. It does not elsewhere occur.

That cannot be condemned. Such as cannot be shown to be weak, or unsound; such that no one could find fault with it, or such as an adversary could not take hold of and blame. This direction would imply purity and seriousness of language, solidity of argument, and truth in the doctrines which he maintained.

That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, etc, Ashamed that he has opposed such views.

(b) "Sound speech" 1Timm 6:3