Bible Commentaries

But speak thou (συ δε λαλει — su de lalei). In contrast to these Pharisaic Gnostics in Crete.

Befit (πρεπει — prepei). Old verb to be becoming, seemly. See note on 1 Timothy 2:10; Ephesians 5:3. With dative case διδασκαλιαι — didaskaliāi

Sound (υγιαινουσηι — hugiainousēi). Healthful as in Titus 1:13; Titus 2:2; 1 Timothy 1:10, common word in the Pastorals.

Aged men (πρεσβυτας — presbutas). See note on Philemon 1:9 for this word. For discussion of family life see also 1 Corinthians 3:18-4:1; Ephesians 5:22-6:9; 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2. For the adjectives here see note on 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 3:8; for the substantives see note on 1 Timothy 6:11.

Aged women (πρεσβυτιδας — presbutidas). Old word, feminine of πρεσβυτης — presbutēs only here in N.T. See πρεσβυτερας — presbuteras in 1 Timothy 5:2.

Reverent (ιεροπρεπεις — hieroprepeis). Old word (ειροσ πρεπει — heirosεν καταστηματι — prepei). Only here in N.T. Same idea in 1 Timothy 2:10. Like people engaged in sacred duties (Lock).

In demeanour (κατιστημι — en katastēmati). Late and rare word (inscriptions) from μη διαβολους — kathistēmi deportment, only here in N.T.

Not slanderers (μηδε οινωι πολλωι δεδουλωμενας — mē diabolous). See note on 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3.

Nor enslaved to much wine (δουλοω — mēde oinōi pollōi dedoulōmenas). Perfect passive participle of οινωι — douloō with dative case καλοδιδασκαλους — oinōi See note on 1 Timothy 3:8. “It is proved by experience that the reclamation of a woman drunkard is almost impossible” (White). But God can do the “impossible.”

Teachers of that which is good (kalodidaskalous). Compound word found here alone, bona docentes (teaching good and beautiful things). A sorely needed mission.

That they may train (ινα σωπρονιζωσιν — hina sōphronizōsin). Purpose clause, ινα — hina and present active subjunctive of σωπρονιζω — sōphronizō old verb (from σωπρων — sōphrōn sound in mind, σαοσ πρην — saosπιλανδρους ειναι — phrēn as in this verse), to make sane, to restore to one‘s senses, to discipline, only here in N.T.

To love their husbands (ειναι — philandrous einai). Predicate accusative with πιλανδρος — einai of old adjective πιλοσ ανηρ — philandros (Ανηρ — philosπιλοτεκνους — anēr fond of one‘s husband), only here in N.T. Anēr means man, of course, as well as husband, but only husband here, not “fond of men” (other men than their own).

To love their children (philoteknous). Another old compound, here only in N.T. This exhortation is still needed where some married women prefer poodle-dogs to children.

Workers at home (οικουργους — oikourgous). So the oldest MSS. (from οικοσ εργου — oikosοικουρους — ergou) instead of κοισο ουρος — oikourous keepers at home (from αγατας — koisoυποτασσομαι — ouros keeper). Rare word, found in Soranus, a medical writer, Field says. Cf. 1 Timothy 5:13. “Keepers at home” are usually “workers at home.”

Kind (ιδιοις — agathas). See note on Romans 5:7. See note on Colossians 3:18; Ephesians 5:22 for the same use of ινα μη βλασπημηται — hupotassomai to be in subjection. Note idiois (their own). See note on 1 Timothy 6:1 for the same negative purpose clause (hina mē blasphēmētai).

The younger men (τους νεωτερους — tous neōterous). Just one item, besides “likewise” (οσαυτως — hosautōs as in Titus 2:3; 1 Timothy 2:1-15, 9), “to be soberminded” (σωπρονειν — sōphronein old verb as in Romans 12:3). It is possible to take “in all things” (περι παντα — peri panta) with σωπρονειν — sōphronein though the editors take it with Titus 2:7.

Shewing thyself (σεαυτον παρεχομενος — seauton parechomenos). Present middle (redundant middle) participle of παρεχω — parechō with the reflexive pronoun σεαυτον — seauton as if the active voice παρεχων — parechōn The Koiné{[28928]}š shows an increasing number of such constructions (Robertson, Grammar, p. 811). See active in 1 Timothy 1:4.

An ensample (τυπον — tupon). For this word see note on 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Philemon 3:17.

Uncorruptness (απτοριαν — aphthorian). Only example, from late adjective απτορος — aphthoros (α — a privative and πτειρω — phtheirō).

Sound (υγιη — hugiē Attic usually υγια — hugiā in accusative singular), elsewhere in Pastorals participle υγιανων — hugianōn (Titus 2:1).

That cannot be condemned (ακαταγνωστον — akatagnōston). Only N.T. example (verbal, α — a privative and καταγνωστος — katagnōstos) and in 4 Maccabees 4:47. Deissmann (Bible Studies, p. 200) quotes it from an inscription and the adverb from a papyrus.

He that is of the contrary part (ο εχ εναντιας — ho ex enantias). “The one on the opposite side” (your opponent). Cf. Titus 2:9; 1 Timothy 5:14.

May be ashamed (ινα εντραπηι — hina entrapēi). Final clause with ινα — hina and second aorist passive subjunctive of εντρεπω — entrepō to turn, in middle and passive to turn one on himself and so be ashamed (to blush) as in 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 4:14. This sense in the papyri.

Evil (παυλον — phaulon). Old word, easy (easy morals), worthless; bad, as in 2 Corinthians 5:10.

Servants (δουλους — doulous). “Slaves.” Supply “exhort” (παρακαλει — parakalei). See note on 1 Timothy 6:1 for “masters” (δεσποταις — despotais).

Well-pleasing (ευαρεστους — euarestous). See note on 2 Corinthians 5:9.

Not gainsaying (mē antilegontas). “Not answer back.” See note on Romans 10:21.

Not purloining (μη νοσπιζομενους — mē nosphizomenous). Present middle participle of νοσπιζω — nosphizō old verb (from νοσπι — nosphi apart), in middle to set apart for oneself, to embezzle, in N.T. only here and Acts 5:2.

Fidelity (πιστιν — pistin). See note on Galatians 5:22; 1 Timothy 5:12 for πιστις — pistis in the sense of faithfulness. Nowhere else in the N.T. do we have αγατη — agathē with πιστις — pistis as here, but an Oxyr. papyrus (iii. 494, 9) has this very phrase (πασαν πιστιν ενδεικνυμενηι — pāsan pistin endeiknumenēi). Westcott and Hort put αγαπην — agapēn in the margin. See note on Titus 3:2.

That they may adorn (ινα κοσμωσιν — hina kosmōsin). Final clause with ινα — hina and present active subjunctive. See note on 1 Timothy 2:9 for κοσμεω — kosmeō Paul shows slaves how they may “adorn” the teaching of God.

Hath appeared (επεπανη — epephanē). “Did appear,” the first Epiphany (the Incarnation). Second aorist passive indicative of επιπαινω — epiphainō old verb, in N.T. here, Titus 3:4; Luke 1:79; Acts 27:20.

Bringing salvation (σωτηριος — sōtērios). Old adjective from σωτηρ — sōtēr (Saviour), here alone in N.T. except το σωτηριον — to sōtērion (salvation, “the saving act”) in Luke 2:30; Luke 3:6; Ephesians 6:17.

Instructing (παιδευουσα — paideuousa). See note on 1 Timothy 1:20.

Ungodliness (ασεβειαν — asebeian). See note on Romans 1:18.

Worldly lusts (τας κοσμικας επιτυμιας — tas kosmikas epithumias). Aristotle and Plutarch use κοσμικος — kosmikos (from κοσμος — kosmos) about the universe as in Hebrews 9:1 about the earthly. Here it has alone in N.T. the sense of evil “in this present age” as with κοσμος — kosmos in 1 John 2:16. The three adverbs set off the opposite (soberly σωπρονως — sōphronōs righteously δικαιως — dikaiōs godly ευσεβως — eusebōs).

Looking for (προσδεχομενοι — prosdechomenoi). Present middle participle of προσδεχομαι — prosdechomai old verb, the one used of Simeon (Luke 2:25) and others (Luke 2:38) who were looking for the Messiah.

The blessed hope and appearing of the glory (την μακαριαν ελπιδα και επιπανειαν της δοχης — tēn makarian elpida kai epiphaneian tēs doxēs). The word επιπανεια — epiphaneia (used by the Greeks of the appearance of the gods, from επιπανησ επιπαινω — epiphanēsεπεπανη — epiphainō) occurs in 2 Timothy 1:10 of the Incarnation of Christ, the first Epiphany (like the verb επιπανεια — epephanē Titus 2:11), but here of the second Epiphany of Christ or the second coming as in 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:8. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8 both παρουσια — epiphaneia and του μεγαλου τεου και σωτηρος Ιησου Χριστου — parousia (the usual word) occur together of the second coming.

Of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ (τεου — tou megalou theou kai sōtēros Iēsou Christou). This is the necessary meaning of the one article with σωτηρος — theou and Χριστου Ιησου — sōtēros just as in 2 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 1:11. See Robertson, Grammar, p. 786. Westcott and Hort read Christou Iēsou f0).

Who gave himself for us (ος εδωκεν εαυτον υπερ ημων — hos edōken heauton huper hēmōn). Paul‘s great doctrine (Galatians 1:4; Galatians 2:20; 1 Timothy 2:6).

That he might redeem us (ινα λυτρωσηται — hina lutrōsētai). Final clause, ινα — hina and the aorist middle subjunctive of λυτροω — lutroō old verb from λυτρον — lutron (ransom), in N.T. only here, Luke 24:21; 1 Peter 1:18.

Purify to himself (καταρισηι εαυτωι — katharisēi heautōi). Final clause with first aorist active subjunctive of καταριζω — katharizō for which verb see note on Ephesians 5:26.

Lawlessness (ανομιας — anomias). See note on 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

A people for his own possession (λαον περιουσιον — laon periousion). A late word (from περιειμι — perieimi to be over and above, in papyri as well as περιουσια — periousia), only in lxx and here, apparently made by the lxx, one‘s possession, and so God‘s chosen people. See note on 1 Peter 2:9 (λαος εις περιποιησιν — laos eis peripoiēsin).

Zealous of good works (ζηλωτην καλων εργων — zēlōtēn kalōn ergōn). “A zealot for good works.” Substantive for which see note on 1 Corinthians 14:12; Galatians 1:14. Objective genitive εργων — ergōn f0).

With all authority (μετα πασης επιταγης — meta pasēs epitagēs). See note on 1 Corinthians 7:6; 2 Corinthians 8:8. Assertion of authority is sometimes necessary.

Let no man despise thee (μηδεις σου περιπρονειτω — mēdeis sou periphroneitō). Present active imperative in prohibition of περιπρονεω — periphroneō old verb, only here in N.T., to think around (on all sides). Literally, “let no man think around thee” (and so despise thee). In 1 Timothy 4:12 it is καταπρονειτω — kataphroneitō (think down on), a stronger word of scorn, but this one implies the possibility of one making mental circles around one and so “out-thinking” him. The best way for the modern minister to command respect for his “authority” is to do thinking that will deserve it.