1Ti 1:18, 2Ti 1:12, 14, 2:2 | 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 1:12

12. For the which cause—For the Gospel cause of which I was appointed a preacher (2Ti 1:10, 11).

I also suffer—besides my active work as a missionary. ELLICOTT translates, "I suffer even these things"; the sufferings attendant on my being a prisoner (2Ti 1:8, 15).

I am not ashamed—neither be thou (2Ti 1:8).

for—Confidence as to the future drives away shame [BENGEL].

I know—though the world knows Him not (Joh 10:14; 17:25).

whom—I know what a faithful, promise-keeping God He is (2Ti 2:13). It is not, I know how I have believed, but, I know WHOM I have believed; a feeble faith may clasp a strong Saviour.

believed—rather, "trusted"; carrying out the metaphor of a depositor depositing his pledge with one whom he trusts.

am persuaded— (Ro 8:38).

he is able—in spite of so many foes around me.

that which I have committed unto him—Greek, "my deposit"; the body, soul, and spirit, which I have deposited in God's safe keeping (1Th 5:23; 1Pe 4:19). So Christ Himself in dying (Lu 23:46). "God deposits with us His word; we deposit with God our spirit" [GROTIUS]. There is one deposit (His revelation) committed by God to us, which we ought to keep (2Ti 1:13, 14) and transmit to others (2Ti 2:2); there is another committed by God to us, which we should commit to His keeping, namely, ourselves and our heavenly portion.

that day—the day of His appearing (2Ti 1:18; 2Ti 4:8).

‏ 2 Timothy 1:14

14. Translate as Greek, "That goodly deposit keep through the Holy Ghost," namely, "the sound words which I have committed to thee" (2Ti 1:13; 2Ti 2:2).

in us—in all believers, not merely in you and me. The indwelling Spirit enables us to keep from the robbers of the soul the deposit of His word committed to us by God.

‏ 2 Timothy 2:2

2. among—Greek, "through," that is, with the attestation (literally, "intervention") of many witnesses, namely, the presbyters and others present at his ordination or consecration (1Ti 4:14; 6:12).

commit—in trust, as a deposit (2Ti 1:14).

faithful—the quality most needed by those having a trust committed to them.

who—Greek, "(persons) such as shall be competent to teach (them to) others also." Thus the way is prepared for inculcating the duty of faithful endurance (2Ti 2:3-13). Thou shouldest consider as a motive to endurance, that thou hast not only to keep the deposit for thyself, but to transmit it unimpaired to others, who in their turn shall fulfil the same office. This is so far from supporting oral tradition now that it rather teaches how precarious a mode of preserving revealed truth it was, depending, as it did, on the trustworthiness of each individual in the chain of succession; and how thankful we ought to be that God Himself has given the written Word, which is exempt from such risk.