1 Timothy 3

They are called morning stars (Job 38:7), but falling stars; they were holy but mutable. As the vessel is overturned with the sail, so their sails being swelled with pride, were overturned (1 Timothy 3:6). By unsettledness, who do you imitate but lapsed angels?

Thus Christ's person in two natures. 2. Consider Christ's two natures in one person: [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], God-Man; (1 Timothy 3:16): God manifest in the flesh. Christ had a twofold substance, divine and human, yet not a twofold subsistence, both natures make but one Chri…

1 Timothy 3:16. Great is the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh. Question 17. Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?

Greg. Nazianzen blessed God he had any thing to lose for Christ's sake. 2. Faith is a refining grace (1 Timothy 3:9). Mystery of faith in a pure conscience.

Majora sunt lingua vulnera quam gladii, Aug. — the sword does not make so deep a wound as the tongue. The Greek word for slanderer signifies devil (1 Timothy 3:11). Some think it is no great matter to belie and defame another; but know, this is to act the part of a devil.

We read of God's dividing the waters, making a causeway in the sea for his people to go over, the iron swimming, the oil increasing by pouring out, Christ's making wine of water, his curing the blind, and raising the dead: thus God has set his seal to the truth and divinity of S…

O the depth of the riches of the wisdom of God, thus to make justice and mercy to kiss each other! Great is this mystery, God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). What wisdom was this, that Christ should be made sin, yet know no sin; that God should condemn the sin, yet save…

The seed in the parable which sprung up suddenly withered (Mark 4:5): Solent praecocia subito flaccescere. 4. True faith is joined with sanctity; as a little bezoar is strong in operation, and a little musk sweetens, so a little faith purifies (1 Timothy 3:9): Holding the myster…

Paul was slandered as a mover of sedition, and the head of a faction (Acts 24:5). The same word signifies both a slanderer and a devil (1 Timothy 3:11): Not slanderers. In the Greek, [in non-Latin alphabet], Not devils.

Faith is a virgin-grace, it is joined with sanctity. 1 Timothy 3:9. Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. The jewel of faith is always put in the cabinet of a pure conscience.

In whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. It is said, not only Christ was with God before the beginning, but he was God (John 1:1), and (1 Timothy 3:16), God manifest in the flesh. The title of Lord so often given to Christ in the New Testament does answer to the ti…

No, says the Apostle, he took upon him the form of a Servant, was made in the likeness of Men, and was found in fashion as a Man; that his being truly a Man is expressed in these words our adversaries deny not; and we therefore believe that the same Jesus Christ is God also, bec…

Col. 1:15, 16, 17. Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature; for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things were…

Quest. 17. Which are the principal institutions of the Gospel to be observed in the worship of God? Answ. (1.) The calling, gathering and setling of Churches with their Officers, as the seat and subject of all other solemn instituted worship. (2.) Prayer with thanksgiving. (3.)…

The principal thing we are to aim at in the whole worship of God, is the discharge of that duty which we owe to Jesus Christ the King and head of the Church (Hebrews 3:6). Christ as a Son over his own house — whose house are we (1 Timothy 3:15) — that you may know how you ought…

1 Peter 5:2: the elders which are among you, I exhort, feed the flock of God, which is among you, taking the oversight thereof. 1 Timothy 3:15; Colossians 4:17: and say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it. They were th…

Being converted by the word, and making profession of that conversion in their Baptism, they gave up themselves to a stedfast continuance in the observation of all other ordinances of the Gospel. Besides the Church is an house, a Temple, the house of God (1 Timothy 3:15), the ho…

Quest. 23. Who are the ordinary officers or ministers of Christ in the Church to be always continued therein? Answ. Those whom the Scripture calls, pastors and teachers, bishops, elders, and guides (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; Philippians 1:1…

Secondly, their unblameableness and holiness of conversation is previously required in them that are to be set apart to the Ministry. This the Apostle expressly declares, and lays down many particular instances whereby it is to be tried (Titus 1:7, 8, 9): "For a Bishop must be b…

(8) To attend with diligence, skill and wisdom to the discharge of that authority which in the rule of the Church is committed to them. (1) 1 Timothy 3:10, 11, 13; chap. 4.12; 2 Timothy 2:3; Colossians 1:24; Philippians 2:17; chap. 3.17. (2) Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28.

(1) Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:2; 1 Corinthians 12:28. (2) 1 Timothy 3:5; Colossians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 8. (3) 1 Timothy 4:11; Titus 2:15; 1 Peter 1:2, 3, 4, 5.

Quest. 33. What are the Deacons of the Church? Answ. Approved men chosen by the Church to take care for the necessities of the poor belonging thereunto, and other outward occasions of the whole Church, by the collection, keeping, and distribution of the alms, and other supplies…

Quest. 24. Wherein consists the general duty of the whole Church, and every member thereof in their proper station and condition? Answ. In performing, doing, and keeping inviolate all the commands and institutions of Jesus Christ, walking unblameably and fruitfully in the World,…

Herein are bounds and limits fixed to the actings of the whole Church, and of every part and member of it. Thirdly, This power or authority, thus granted, and conveyed by Jesus Christ, is to be exercised as to the manner of the administration of discipline, with skill and dilige…

Quest. 42. To whom is the power and administration of this Discipline committed by Jesus Christ? Answ. As to the authority to be exerted in it in the things wherein the whole Church is concerned, to the Elders; as to trial, judgment and consent in, and to its exercise to the who…

Quest. 52. Wherein consists the duty of any Church of Christ towards other Churches? Answ. (1) In walking circumspectly, so as to give them no offence. (2) In prayer for their peace and prosperity. (3) In communicating supplyes to their wants according to ability. (4) In receivi…

Thirdly, he was the greatest Prophet born among women: for he saw him come in the flesh, and said to two disciples, "Behold that Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world" (John 1:29). Yet he that is the least member in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John: becaus…

And this in the Church is twofold: (1) Of especial office; (2) of common love and charity. The rise, occasion and institution of an especial office or ministry towards the poor is at large declared, Acts 6, and mentioned afterwards by our Apostle as an abiding ordinance (Romans…

Neither will it be effected without a constant exercise of grace. For this cause the Apostle would not have a novice called to the ministry or public exercise of spiritual gifts, namely, lest he be puffed up with pride and fall into the condemnation of the Devil (1 Timothy 3:6).…

This it is the principal design of the whole Gospel to demonstrate, namely, to declare that all the treasures of divine wisdom and knowledge are hid in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:3). The constitution of his person, was the greatest mystery that ever infinite wisdom effected (1 T…

That is still continued, this is that which was already accomplished, at the time limited by the Apostle. Therefore this appearance, this [in non-Latin alphabet] or manifestation of Christ in the end of the world, is the same with his being manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:1…

And as to the especial effects of this wisdom, the angels themselves desire to bow down, with an humble diligence in their enquiry into them (1 Peter 1:12). And on these considerations our Apostle concludes that without all controversie the work hereof is a great mystery (1 Timo…

The foundation of the new creation was laid gloriously in the Death and Resurrection of Christ, so as to be the matter of triumphant praises to God. Such is the triumph thereon described (Colossians 2:15; 1 Timothy 3:16). And it may be observed, that as on the laying of the foun…

Now follows Christ's incarnation, in these words, Conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary. And they contain in them one of the most principal points of the doctrine of godliness, as Paul says, Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness, which is, God is m…

To the father, who is described by two titles: the first, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that by nature as he is God, and as he is man by personal union. The other title: Of whom the whole family, which is in heaven and earth, is named: In which words is set down a des…

2. To keep it and preserve it for ages to come: so that to the present age we are witnesses, to the future trustees. 1. To publish, own and defend the truth, by profession and martyrdom; and therefore the Church is called the pillar and ground of truth (1 Timothy 3:15), namely i…

But when the sun arises, the shadows fly away, and therefore now that Christ the body is come, and that Sun of Righteousness arisen upon the world, those legal shadows are done away; and to retain them in these times of the New Testament does interpretatively deny that Christ is…

If there be any agreement or confederacy among them, it is not to walk in the ways of the Gospel, but in ways contrary to the fundamental truths of the Gospel, as idolatry in worship, heresy in doctrine, and other Antichristian pollutions and corruptions: and therefore if they c…

Saravia says, the Churchwardens which are in every Parish of England, have some resemblance of ruling Elders, whose charge appointed by law, he says, is to collect, keep, and disburse the goods and revenues of the Church, to preserve the fabric of the Church and all things perta…

Bilson gives yet another sense, That there were two sorts of Elders, some who laboured in the word and doctrine, some who had the care of the poor: both were worthy of double honor; but especially they who laboured in the word. Answer. Deacons are distinguished from Elders, (Rom…

To the Father; who is described by two titles: the first, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that by nature, as he is God, and as he is man, by personal union. The other title: Of whom the whole family which is in heaven and earth, is named: in which words, is set down a d…

In Romans 12:7, 8 him that teaches, him that exhorts, him that rules, and him that shows mercy. In Philippians 1:1 we have Bishops and Deacons; and their institutions with the order of it, we have at large expressed in 1 Timothy 3:1, 2, Bishops and Deacons without the interposit…

But he informs us, cap 4 sect. 3. from that testimony which we cited before, that the Apostles in the appointment of Bishops and Deacons (for so the words expressly are) are said [in non-Latin alphabet], that is, namely, says he, Revelationibus edoctos esse, quibus demùm haec di…

Contrary to this, is the common and whole casting off of this care, unless in worldly matters. The first part of this rule is proved by these places: I will have the younger woman to marry, and govern their houshold (1 Timothy 5); If one rule not his houshold well, how shall he…

And some of them to labor also in the word, one by teaching, another by exhorting, some to attend to manners, watching over the people, to admonish them, to comfort them, to pray with them when they be in distress, etc., to join with the others in the rest of the governing of th…

And that we have such a Redeemer makes God, to say so, trustworthy, and grace to have access (1 Timothy 2:5): there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, and this gives man access to step in to God. Fourth, this makes the mystery of godliness to…

3. Consider our Lord's submission to his being brought to judgment, not only nor chiefly before men, but before God, therefore says he (John 12:48), Father save me from this hour, but for this cause came I to this hour; come then Father and let us reckon; he looks not only to th…

1. That in his lowest state and step of humiliation he was sustained and carried through, so that all the assaults which he was put to endure and encounter with from all his enemies, wicked men and devils, did not overcome him. 2. That as he in himself was borne through and sust…

And that other word which He has on the cross, is remarkable to this purpose: It's finished; now the task and work is ended, and I have no more to do, but presently to pass to the victory, and to the dividing of the spoil. And a third testimony is our Lord Jesus His ascension to…

Or if you shall read them and not make conscience to improve them to your souls' edification and advantage; which contain more genuine, pure, sincere, solid, and substantial Gospel than many thousands have heard it may be in an age, though hearing preachings much of the while. E…