Sundry II. Timothy. also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me; I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory forever and ever. A men. admonitions. 19 Salute Priscilla & Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus abode at Corinth; but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. 21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. ¶ The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time. PREFATORY REMARKS TO THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS. TITUS, originally a Gentile, was converted to the Christian faith by St. Paul; he was distinguished by his piety and zeal, and was a companion and assistant to Paul in his travels and labours. Among other places Paul visited the island of Crete, and there preached the Gospel to the idolatrous inhabitants with such power and success, that great numbers of them were converted. But being himself unable to continue there, he left Titus to the care of the converts, to form them into churches, and to ordain elders in every city. He then left them, and went to Judea, to Antioch, and to Colosse, where, a. D. 64 or 65, he wrote this Epistle to Titus, in which he described the qualifications, requisite in the ordination of elders, commanded him to rebuke sharply those false teachers, who insisted on obedience to the laws of Moses as necessary to salvation; he mentioned the errors Titus was to oppose, the doctrines he was Qualifications Chap. i. of ministers, &e. to inculcate, and the precepts he was constantly to enjoin, that none of the Cretians, whether teachers or people, might afterward fail in their duty through want of information. T THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS. PAUL, CHAP. I. 1 Why Titus was left in Crete. 6 How ministers should be qualified. 10 Of evil-doers. AŬL, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me, according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith; Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thée. 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;a 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate ; 9 Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.b 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision :c 11 Whose mouths must be stopped; who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.d 13 This witness is true ;e wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; a Filthy lucre, unjust gain. b Gainsayers, those who contradict and speak against the truth. c The circumcision, the Jews. d Slow or lazy-bellies, slothful and gluttonous. e This witness or testimony concerning the Cretians is just. Directions for Titus. 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure; but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him; being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. CHAP. II. 1 Directions given to Titus, both for his doctrine and life. 9 The duty of servants. BUT speak thou the things which become sound doctrine; 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children; 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, doctrine and life. 8 Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining,a but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. CHAP. III. Paul directs what to teach, and what not. PUT them in mind to be subject to principalities a and a Purloining, secretly stealing, stealing trifles or a part of a thing. a Principalities, governments. powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes b foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That, being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will, that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works; these things are good & profitable unto men. b Sometimes, formerly. conduct, &c. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies,c and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable & vain. 10 A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis; for I have determined there to winter. 13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be-wanting unto them. 14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. 15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. ¶ It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia. e Genealogy, lineage or family des cent. PREFATORY REMARKS TO THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO PHILEMON. PHILEMON, to whom this Epistle was addressed, was a worthy and distinguished citizen of Colosse in Asia Minor. His family was so large, that it formed a church of itself. Among Paul rejoiceth Philemon. to hear of the his servants or slaves, was Onesimus, the bearer of this Epistle, who, for some dislike, had run away from his master Philemon, and came to Rome, where he met with Paul, who converted him to the Christian faith. Onesimus, after his conversion, became so sensible of his error in leaving his master, that he wished to repair the injury by returning to him; but fearing lest his master on his return, should treat him with severity, he besought the apostle to write to Philemon, and to request him to forgive and receive him into his family. Paul, always ready to the discharge of every kind office, complied with his request, and wrote this Epistle, in which, with the greatest tenderness, affection, and address, he not only interceded for Onesimus' pardon, but urged Philemon to esteem him as a brother, and to confide in him as a sincere Christian. ¶ THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO PHILEMON. Pa Paul rejoiceth to hear of the faith and love of Philemon. AUL, a prisoner of Jesus Christ and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer; 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house: 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual, by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. 8 Wherefore though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 9 Yet, for love's sake, I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds; 11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12 Whom I have sent again; thou therefore receive him, that is mine own bowels; 13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the Gospel. |