1Ti 1:3-4, 20, 2Ti 1:15, 2:17 | PNT | STEP | As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus . Paul, it is presumed, seeing on the occasion of his last visit the need of a trusty evangelist at Ephesus to counteract the errors which were arising, had left Timothy behind. He was not left there as a bishop, as has been sometimes claimed, for we find that a part of his business was to appoint bishops; but as the representative of the apostle, an evangelist. The office of Titus in Crete was similar. That they teach no other doctrine . Than the gospel which they had been taught. Some of the errors which he was to correct are stated in .

1 Timothy 1:3-4

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus. Paul, it is presumed, seeing on the occasion of his last visit the need of a trusty evangelist at Ephesus to counteract the errors which were arising, had left Timothy behind. He was not left there as a bishop, as has been sometimes claimed, for we find that a part of his business was to appoint bishops; but as the representative of the apostle, an evangelist. The office of Titus in Crete was similar.

That they teach no other doctrine. Than the gospel which they had been taught. Some of the errors which he was to correct are stated in 1Ti 1:4. Neither give heed to fables. The fables are called "Jewish" in Tit 1:14. It is likely such fables as those of the Talmud are meant, legends which have been added to the history of the Old Testament, additions to the Scriptures. Though the Talmud was committed to writing a little later, it aimed to collect the legends and traditions which had been long in existence.

Endless genealogies. Philo, a learned Alexandrian Jew who wrote a little before Paul's time, built up a whole system on genealogies. The names in the genealogies with him represented the various conditions of the soul. Some have supposed that Paul refers to some foolish fancies of the Gnostics, but those were of later date.

Which minister questions. Raise discussions.

1 Timothy 1:20

Hymenaeus. He is mentioned as a heretical teacher in 2Ti 2:17.

Alexander. Of whom nothing is known.

I have delivered unto Satan. Excommunicated. Compare 1Co 5:5.

2 Timothy 1:15

All they which are in Asia be turned away from me. The language seems to mean that there had been a large defection in Asia already. Some think that Paul refers to professors of Christ from the province of Asia, then in Rome, who had all deserted him.

Phygellus and Hermogenes. Nothing more than this reference is known of them.

2 Timothy 2:17

And their word. The profane and vain babblings.

Will eat as doth a canker. Eat deeper and deeper, like a gangrene.

Of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus. Heretical teachers. See 1Ti 1:20.