1Ti 1:18, 2Ti 2:1, 1Jo 2:1 | JFB | e4.org | 18. He resumes the subject begun at . The conclusion (apodosis) to the foregoing, " as I besought thee . . . charge " ( ), is here given, if not formally, at least substantially. This charge —namely, "that thou in them (so the Greek ) mightest war," that is, fulfil thy high calling, not only as a Christian, but as a minister officially, one function of which is, to " charge some that they teach no other doctrine" ( ). I commit —as a sacred deposit ( ) to be laid before thy hearers. according to —in pursuance of; in consonance with. the prophecies which went before on thee —the intimations given by prophets respecting thee at thy ordination, (as, probably, by Silas, a companion of Paul, and "a prophet," ). Such prophetical intimation, as well as the good report given of Timothy by the brethren ( ), may have induced Paul to take him as his companion. Compare similar prophecies as to others: , in connection with laying on of hands; ; compare . In , it is expressly said that " the Holy Ghost had made them (the Ephesian presbyters) overseers." CLEMENT OF ROME [ Epistle to the Corinthians ], states it was the custom of the apostles "to make trial by the Spirit," that is, by the "power of discerning," in order to determine who were to be overseers and deacons in the several churches planted. So CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA says as to the churches near Ephesus, that the overseers were marked out for ordination by a revelation of the Holy Ghost to St. John. by them — Greek, "in them"; arrayed as it were in them; armed with them. warfare —not the mere "fight" ( ), but the whole campaign; the military service. Translate as Greek, not " a, " but " the good warfare."

‏ 1 Timothy 1:18

18. He resumes the subject begun at 1Ti 1:3. The conclusion (apodosis) to the foregoing, "as I besought thee . . . charge" (1Ti 1:3), is here given, if not formally, at least substantially.

This charge—namely, "that thou in them (so the Greek) mightest war," that is, fulfil thy high calling, not only as a Christian, but as a minister officially, one function of which is, to "charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (1Ti 1:3).

I commit—as a sacred deposit (1Ti 6:20; 2Ti 2:2) to be laid before thy hearers.

according to—in pursuance of; in consonance with.

the prophecies which went before on thee—the intimations given by prophets respecting thee at thy ordination, 1Ti 4:14 (as, probably, by Silas, a companion of Paul, and "a prophet," Ac 15:32). Such prophetical intimation, as well as the good report given of Timothy by the brethren (Ac 16:2), may have induced Paul to take him as his companion. Compare similar prophecies as to others: Ac 13:1-3, in connection with laying on of hands; Ac 11:28; 21:10, 11; compare 1Co 12:10; 14:1; Eph 4:11. In Ac 20:28, it is expressly said that "the Holy Ghost had made them (the Ephesian presbyters) overseers." CLEMENT OF ROME [Epistle to the Corinthians], states it was the custom of the apostles "to make trial by the Spirit," that is, by the "power of discerning," in order to determine who were to be overseers and deacons in the several churches planted. So CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA says as to the churches near Ephesus, that the overseers were marked out for ordination by a revelation of the Holy Ghost to St. John.

by them—Greek, "in them"; arrayed as it were in them; armed with them.

warfare—not the mere "fight" (1Ti 6:12; 2Ti 4:7), but the whole campaign; the military service. Translate as Greek, not "a," but "the good warfare."

‏ 2 Timothy 2:1

1. Thou therefore—following my example (2Ti 1:8, 12), and that of ONESIPHORUS (2Ti 1:16-18), and shunning that of those who forsook me (2Ti 1:15).

my son—Children ought to imitate their father.

be strong—literally, "be invested with power." Have power, and show thyself to have it; implying an abiding state of power.

in the grace—the element IN which the believer's strength has place. Compare 2Ti 1:7, "God hath given us the spirit of power."

‏ 1 John 2:1

1. (1Jo 5:18.)

My little children—The diminutive expresses the tender affection of an aged pastor and spiritual father. My own dear children, that is, sons and daughters (see on 1Jo 2:12).

these things— (1Jo 1:6-10). My purpose in writing what I have just written is not that you should abuse them as giving a license to sin but, on the contrary, "in order that ye may not sin at all" (the Greek aorist, implying the absence not only of the habit, but of single acts of sin [ALFORD]). In order to "walk in the light" (1Jo 1:5, 7), the first step is confession of sin (1Jo 1:9), the next (1Jo 2:1) is that we should forsake all sin. The divine purpose has for its aim, either to prevent the commission of, or to destroy sin [BENGEL].

And, &c.—connected with the former; Furthermore, "if any man sin," let him, while loathing and condemning it, not fear to go at once to God, the Judge, confessing it, for "we have an Advocate with Him." He is speaking of a BELIEVER'S occasional sins of infirmity through Satan's fraud and malice. The use of "we" immediately afterwards implies that we all are liable to this, though not necessarily constrained to sin.

we have an advocate—Advocacy is God's family blessing; other blessings He grants to good and bad alike, but justification, sanctification, continued intercession, and peace, He grants to His children alone.

advocate—Greek, "paraclete," the same term as is applied to the Holy Ghost, as the "other Comforter"; showing the unity of the Second and Third Persons of the Trinity. Christ is the Intercessor for us above; and, in His absence, here below the Holy Ghost is the other Intercessor in us. Christ's advocacy is inseparable from the Holy Spirit's comfort and working in us, as the spirit of intercessory prayer.

righteous—As our "advocate," Christ is not a mere suppliant petitioner. He pleads for us on the ground of justice, or righteousness, as well as mercy. Though He can say nothing good of us, He can say much for us. It is His righteousness, or obedience to the law, and endurance of its full penalty for us, on which He grounds His claim for our acquittal. The sense therefore is, "in that He is righteous"; in contrast to our sin ("if any man sin"). The Father, by raising Him from the dead, and setting Him at His own right, has once for all accepted Christ's claim for us. Therefore the accuser's charges against God's children are vain. "The righteousness of Christ stands on our side; for God's righteousness is, in Jesus Christ, ours" [LUTHER].