《Bullinger’s Companion Bible Notes – 1 Timothy》(E.W. Bullinger)
Commentator
Ethelbert William Bullinger AKC (December 15, 1837 - June 6, 1913) was an Anglican clergyman, Biblical scholar, and ultradispensationalist theologian.
He was born in Canterbury, Kent, England, the youngest of five children of William and Mary (Bent) Bullinger. His family traced their ancestry back to Heinrich Bullinger, the Swiss Reformer.
His formal theological training was at King's College London from 1860-1861, earning an Associate's degree. After graduation, on October 15, 1861, he married Emma Dobson, thirteen years his senior. He later received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1881 from Archibald Campbell Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury who cited Bullinger's "eminent service in the Church in the department of Biblical criticism."
Bullinger's career in the Church of England spanned 1861 until 1888. He began as associate curate in the parish of St. Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey in 1861, and was ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1862. He served as parish curate in Tittleshall from 1863-1866; Notting Hill from 1866-1869; Leytonstone, 1869-1870; then Walthamstow until he became vicar of the newly established parish of St. Stephen's in 1874. He resigned his vicarage in 1888.
In the spring of 1867, Bullinger became clerical secretary of the Trinitarian Bible Society, a position he would hold till his death in 1913. Bullinger was editor of a monthly journal Things to Come subtitled A Journal of Biblical Literature, with Special Reference to Prophetic Truth. The Official Organ of Prophetic Conferences for over 20 years (1894-1915) and contributed many articles.
Introduction
1Ti
THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK AS A WHOLE.
1 Timothy 1:1-2. BENEDICTION.
1 Timothy 1:3-20. ADMONITION. PRACTICAL. Faith and a good conscience defined.
1 Timothy 2:1 - 1 Timothy 3:13. INSTRUCTION AND DISCIPLINE. Men. Kings and others. Women. Men. Overseers and ministers.
1 Timothy 3:14-15. INTENDED VISIT AND INTERVAL. Faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 3:16. THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS.
1 Timothy 4:1-12. THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY. Its characteristics. What is needed to meet it.
1 Timothy 4:13-16. INTENDED VISIT AND INTERVAL.
1 Timothy 5:1 - 1 Timothy 6:2. INSTRUCTION AND DISCIPLINE. Men. Women.
1 Timothy 6:3-21. ADMONITION. PRACTICAL. False teachers. Riches (Danger). Riches (Charge). Charge.
1 Timothy 6:21. BENEDICTION.
THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY INTRODUCTORY NOTES.
1. The Son of a Gentile father and of a Jewish mother, Timothy was born either at Derbe or Lystra, probably the latter. He is already a "disciple" when first mentioned (Acts 16:1). His father is nowhere named, but his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, have secured honourable mention wherever the Scriptures are read (2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:14). Most likely Timothy had been brought to the light during the apostle""s first visit to Lystra, and thereafter the two were much in association. Paul refers to him in affectionate terms as his own son in the faith, his dearly beloved son, his son Timothy, and while undergoing his second imprisonment at Rome he earnestly begged that his felloe-worker should come to him. See also Philippians 2:19Philippians 2:22.
2. This, the earliest of the three Pastoral Epistles, as they are termed, was written probably in A.D. 67 (Appdx-180), but it is not known where the apostle was at the time, although some think he was at Troas, others in Macedonia (Appdx-180).
3. To Timothy were given the earliest instructions for orderly arrangement in the church, these instructions being of the simplest nature, and, as Dean Alford well observes with regard to the Pastoral Epistles as a whole, the directions given "are altogether of an ethical, not of an hierarchical, kind". These directions afford no warrant whatever for the widespread organizations of the "churches" as carried on to-day.
4. Even in the earliest period the increasing heresies are much in evidence. Some there were who had swerved and turned aside altogether; others denied vital truth and thus overthrew "the faith of some". Hence Paul""s constant warnings against such, and instructions to enlighten the opposers, "if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth". How the leaven spread is only too plainly shown in Paul""s Second Epistle, which has been aptly termed a picture of the ruin of the church through departure from the apostolic doctrine.
01 Chapter 1
Verse 1
apostle. App-189. See Philippians 1:1, Philippians 1:1.
Jesus Christ. App-98. Most texts read "Christ Jesus".
by. App-104.
commandment. Greek. epitage. See Romans 16:26.
God. App-98.
Saviour. God is called "Saviour", here, 1 Timothy 2:3. Luke 1:47. Titus 1:3; Titus 2:10; Titus 3:4. Jude 1:25, Elsewhere the title is used of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord. The texts omit.
Jesus Christ. The texts read "Christ. Jesus". App-98.
which is. Read "Who is".
hope, Compare vol. 1, 5, 23, 27. Titus 2:13.
Verse 2
Unto = To.
own. Greek. gesios. See 2 Corinthians 8:8.
son. App-108.
in. App-104.
faith. App-110.
Grace, mercy, and peace. This salutation is peculiar to the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Grace. App-184. from. App-104.
Father. App-98.
Jesus Christ. Read "Christ Jesus".
Lord. App-98.
Verse 3
besought. App-134.
abide. Greek. prosmeno See Acts 11:23.
at. App-104.
into. App-104.
that = in order that. Greek. hina
charge. Greek. parangello. See Acts 1:4.
some, App-124.
that they, &c. = not (App-105) to teach otherwise (Greek. heterodidaskaleo. Only here and 1 Timothy 6:3).
Verse 4
Neither. Greek. mede.
fables. Greek. muthos. Occurs also 1 Timothy 4:7. 2 Timothy 4:4. Titus 1:14, 2 Peter 1:16.
endless. Greek. aperantos. App-151.
genealogies. Greek. genealogia Only here and Titus 3:9. Referring to the list of emanations of AEONS according to the Gnostics.
questions. Greek. zetesis. See Acts 25:20. All the occ, of the word show what questions occupy the natural mind.
godly edifying = dispensation (Gn oikonomia, 1 Corinthians 9:17) of God (1 Timothy 1:1). A few texts read oikodome, as 1 Corinthians 14:3, 1 Corinthians 14:5, 1 Corinthians 14:12.
Verse 5
commandment. Greek. perengelia. See Acts 5:28.
charity. App-135.
out of. App-104, good conscience. See Acts 23:1.
unfeigned. Greek. anupokritos. See Romans 12:9.
Verse 6
having swerved. Greek. astocheo. Elsewhere, 1 Timothy 6:21. 2 Timothy 2:18.
have. Omit,
turned aside. Greek. ektrepowai. Elsewhere, 5, 15; 1 Timothy 6:20. 2 Timothy 4:4. Hebrews 12:13.
unto. App-104.
vain jangling. Greek. mataiologia. Only here. Compare Titus 1:10.
Verse 7
Desiring. App-102.
teachers of the law. Greek. nomodidaskalos. See Luke 5:17.
understanding, &c, There are double negatives in this phrase, me at the beginning, and mete, mete, neither, nor.
whereof = concerning (App-104.) what.
affirm. Greek. diabebaioomai. Only here and Titus 3:8.
Verse 8
know. App-132.
if, App-118.
a man. Greek. tis. App-123.
lawfully. Gr nomimos Only here and 2 Timothy 2:5.
Verse 9
not. App-105.
made = appointed.
righteous. App-191.
lawless. App-128.
disobedient = not under subjection,
undisciplined. Greek. anupotaktos. Here; Titus 1:6, Titus 1:10. Hebrews 2:8.
ungodly. Greek. asebes See Romans 4:5.
sinners. Greek. hamartalos. Compare App-128.
unholy. Greek. anosios Here and 2 Timothy 3:2. Contrast Acts 2:21.
profane. Gr bebelos. Here, 1 Timothy 4:4; 1 Timothy 6:20. 2 Timothy 2:16. Hebrews 12:16.
murderers, &c. Greek. patraloas . . . metratoas. Only here.
man Greek. androphones. Only here.
Verse 10
them that, &c. Greek. arsenokoites. See 1 Corinthians 6:9,
men. Greek. andropodistes. Only here.
perjured persons. Greek. epiorkos. Only here
if App-118.
there be. Omit
other. App-124.
that. Omit.
sound. Greek. hugiaino, See Luke 5:31.
Verse 11
According to. App-104.
glorious gospel = gospel (App-140) of the glory (p. 1511). Compare 2 Corinthians 4:4.
blessed. Only in this epistle is "blessed" (or happy), Greek. makarios, applied to God, here and 1 Timothy 6:15.
which, &c. = with which I was entrusted. App-150.
Verse 12
And. Omit.
thank. Literally I have thanks (App-184.) to.
Christ Jesus. App-98.
bath. Omit.
enabled. Greek. endanamoe. See Acts 9:22.
faithful App-160.
ministry. App-190.
Verse 13
persecutor. Greek. dioktes. Only here.
injurious = an insulter. Greek. hubristes. Only here and Romans 1:30.
obtained mercy. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:26. 2 Corinthians 4:1.
ignorantly = not knowing. Compare Luke 23:34. Acts 3:17.
Verse 14
was exceeding, &c. = abounded over all. Greek. husperpleonazo. Only here. Compare Romans 5:20.
with. App-104.
love. Same as "charity", 1 Timothy 1:5.
Verse 15
saying. App-121. This is the first of five "faithful sayings" in the Pastoral Epistles. Compare 1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Timothy 4:9. 2 Timothy 2:11, Titus 3:8, Compare Revelation 21:5; Revelation 22:6.
acceptation. Greek. apodoche. Only here and 1 Timothy 4:9. world. App-129.
chief. Greek. protos. Here "foremost", i.e. first in position.
Verse 16
for this cause = on account of (App-104. 1 Timothy 1:2) this.
first. See "chief", 1 Timothy 1:16.
for. App-104.
pattern. Greek. hupotuposis. Only here and a Tim. 1 Timothy 1:13.
to = of.
should hereafter = are about to.
believe on. App-150
to. App-104. life. App-110.
everlasting. App-161. Paul was converted through the visible appearance of the Lord from heaven, Others will be (Zechariah 12:10).
Verse 17
King eternal = King of the ages (App-151.) The some expression Occurs in the Greek text of Tobit 13.6, 10, and the "God of the ages", Thes ton anionon, in Ecclesiastes 36:17. Compare Isaiah 9:6. Jeremiah 10:10.
immortal. Greek. aphtharlos. See Romans 1:23. Compare, 1 Timothy 6:16.
invisible. Greek. aorates. See Romans 1:20. Compare 1 Timothy 6:16. Exodus 33:20. John 1:18. Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 11:27.
wise. The texts omit, the word having crept in from Romans 16:27.
honour and glory. These words are coupled together in Hebrews 2:7, Hebrews 2:9; 2 Peter 1:17. Revelation 4:9, Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:12, Revelation 5:13; Revelation 19:1, in describing Divine glory, and in reference to man in Romans 2:7, Romans 2:10. Revelation 21:24, Revelation 21:26.
glory. See p. 1511.
for ever and ever. App-151.
Verse 18
charge. Same as "commandment", 1 Timothy 1:5.
commit. Greek. paratithemi. See Acts 17:3.
which went before = going before. Compare 1 Timothy 4:14.
on. App-104. by, App-104.
war. Greek. strateuomai. See 1 Corinthians 9:7.
a = the.
warfare. Greek. strateia. Only here and 2 Corinthians 10:4. This clause exhibits the Figs, Paronomasia and Polyptoton, App-6. Greek. strateue strateian,
Verse 19
put away = thrust away. Greek. apdtheemai. See Acts 7:27.
concerning. App-104.
faith = the faith (1 Timothy 1:2).
have. Omit,
made shipwreck. Greek. nauageo. Only here and 2 Corinthians 11:25.
Verse 20
Hymenaeus. Compare 2 Timothy 2:17, 2 Timothy 2:18.
Alexander, Compare 2 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:15.
have. Omit.
delivered. Greek. paradidomi. See John 19:30.
Satan. Compare e Cor. 1 Timothy 5:5.
not. App-106. as in 1 Timothy 1:7.
02 Chapter 2
Verse 1
exhort. App-134.
supplications. App-134.
prayers. App-134.
intercessions. App-134.
giving of thanks. Greek. eucharistia. See Acts 24:3.
for. App-104.
men. App-123.
Verse 2
in. App-104.
authority. Greek. huperoche. See 1 Corinthians 2:1.
that = in
order that. Greek. hina.
lead. Greek. diago, Only here and Titus 3:3.
quiet. Gt. eremos. Only here.
peaceable. Greek. hesuchios. Only here and 1 Peter 3:4.
life. App-170.
godliness. Greek. eusebeia. See Acts 3:13.
honesty = gravity. Greek. semnotes. Only here, 1 Timothy 3:4, and Titus 2:7. Compare 1 Timothy 3:8.
Verse 3
acceptable. Greek. apodektos. Only here and 1 Timothy 5:4. God. App-98.
Saviour. See 1 Timothy 1:1.
Verse 4
will = wills. App-102.
have . . . to be = that . . . should be.
to. Omit.
unto. App-104.
knowlocge. App-132.
Verse 5
Mediator. Greek. mesistrs. See Galatians 1:3, Galatians 1:19.
between = of.
Christ Jesus. App-98.
Verse 6
ransom. Greek. antilutron. Only here. Compare Matthew 20:28. Mark 10:45 (lutron). Titus 2:14. Hebrews 9:12.
to be testified = the testimony.
due time = its own seasons (App-196). Compare Galatians 1:4, Galatians 1:4.
Verse 7
Whereunto = For (Greek. eis) which.
ordained = appointed. Same word in 1 Timothy 1:12 (putting).
preacher. App-121.
apostle. App-189.
Christ. App-98. but the texts omit "in Christ not". App-106. Compare Romans 9:1. 2 Corinthians 11:31. Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:20.
faith. App-160.
verity = truth.
Verse 8
will. App-102.
men = the men, i, e. husbands. App-123.
pray. App-134.
every where = in (Greek. en) every place.
holy. Greek. heal. See Acts 2:27.
doubting = reasoning or disputing.
Verse 9
In like manner = Likewise.
also. The texts omit.
women. The whole context shows that wives are in the apostle"s mind. See verses: 1 Timothy 2:12-15.
adorn. Greek. kosmee. Five times in the Gospels. Titus 2:10, 1 Peter 3:5. Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:19.
modest = becoming, orderly. Greek. kosmios. Only here and 1 Timothy 3:2.
apparel. Greek. kalaelole. Only here. Compare Mark 12:38.
with. App-104.
shamefacedness = shamefastness, as originally in AUTHORIZED VERSION 1611. Greek. aidos. Only here and Hebrews 12:28,
sobriety. Greek. sophrosune. See Acts 26:25. Compare 2 Timothy 1:7. Titus 2:4, Titus 2:12.
not, App-103.
with. App-104.
broiled hair = plaits, or braids. Greek. plegma. Only here. Compare 1 Peter 3:3.
costly. Greek. poluteles. Elsewhere, Mark 14:3. 1 Peter 3:4.
Verse 10
godliness. Greek. theosebeia. Only here.
with. App-104. 1 Timothy 2:1,
Verse 11
subjection. Greek. hupotage. See 1 Corinthians 14:34; 2 Corinthians 9:13.
Verse 12
nor. Greek. oude,
usurp authority. Greek. authenteo. Only here.
Verse 13
formed. Greek. plasso. Only here and Romans 9:20.
Verse 14
deceived. Greek. apateo. See Ephesians 5:6.
being deceived. Greek. apatao, but the texts read exapatao, as in 2 Corinthians 11:3 (thoroughly deceived, or as we say, "taken in. ")
was = came to be.
transgression. Greek. parabasis. Compare App-128.
Verse 15
Notwithstanding = But.
in = through. App-104, 1 Timothy 2:1,
childbearing = the childbearing. Greek. teknogonia. Only here.
if. App-118.1. b.
continue. Greek. meno. See p. 1511.
charity = love, as in 1 Timothy 1:6.
holiness. Greek. hagiasmos. See Romans 6:19.
03 Chapter 3
Verse 1
true = faithful. App-150. See 1 Timothy 1:16.
saying. App-121.
If a man = lf (App-118. a)
any one (App-123.)
desire. Greek. oregomai, Here, 1 Timothy 6:10, Hebrews 11:16.
the office, &c. Greek. episkepe. See Acts 1:20.
desireth. Greek. epithemeo, as Hebrews 6:11.
Verse 2
bishop. Greek. episkopos. See Acts 20:28.
blameless. Greek. anepileptos. Only here, 1 Timothy 5:7; 1 Timothy 6:14.
husbandApp-123.
vigilant = sober. Greek. nephalcos. Here, 1 Timothy 3:1, 1 Timothy 2:2.
sober, Greek. sophron. Here, Titus 1:8; Titus 2:2, Titus 2:5. Compare 1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 1:7. Titus 2:4, Titus 2:6, Titus 2:12.
of good behaviour. Greek. kosmios. See 1 Timothy 2:9.
given to hospitality. Greek. philoxenos Here; Titus 1:8. 1 Peter 4:9. Compare Romans 12:13.
apt to teach. Greek. didaktikos. Here and 2 Timothy 2:24.
Verse 3
Not. App-105.
given to wine. Greek. paroinos. Here and Titus 1:7,
no striker = not (Greek. me) a striker (Greek. plektes. Here and Titus 1:7).
not greedy, &c. The texts omit, the idea being expressed at the and of the verse.
patient. Greek. epieikes. See Philippians 1:4, Philippians 1:5,
not a brawler = not contentious. Greek. amachos. Here and Titus 3:2.
not covetous = not loving money. Greek. aphilarguros. Here and Hebrews 13:5,
Verse 4
ruleth. Greek.
proistemi. See Romans 12:8.
children. App-108.
in. Greek. en App-104.
subjection. See 1 Timothy 2:11, with. App-104.
gravity. See "honesty", 1 Timothy 2:2.
Verse 5
know. App-132.
not. App-105.
take care of, Greek. epimeleomai. Only here and Luke 10:34, Luke 10:35,
church. App-186.
God, App-98.
Verse 6
novice. Greek. neophutos. Only here.
lest = in order
that (Greek. hind). not (Greek. me).
lifted up, &c. = puffed up. Greek. tuphoomai. Here, 1 Timothy 6:4. 2 Timothy 3:4. The noun tuphos means smoke. Compare Matthew 12:20,
into. App-104.
condemnation. App-177.
Verse 7
Moreover = But.
report = testimony. Add "Also". of. App-104.
reproach. Greek. oneidissmos. See Romans 15:3.
snare. Greek. pagis. Here, 1 Timothy 6:19. Luke 21:25. Romans 11:9. 2 Timothy 2:6.
Verse 8
deacons. App-100.
grave. Greek. senreos, Seo Philippians 1:4, Philippians 1:8. doubletongued. Greek. diiodos. Only here.
greedy, &c. (Greek. aischroksedes. Here and Titus 1:7. Compare 1 Peter 5:2.
Verse 9
mystery. App-193.
faith. App-160.
Verse 10
proved = tested.
use, &c. = serve. App-190.
blameless. Greek. anenkletos. See 1 Corinthians 1:8.
Verse 11
slanderers. Greek. diabolos, adjective sober. Same as "vigilant", 1 Timothy 3:2.
faithful. Same as "true", 1 Timothy 3:1.
Verse 13
have. Omit.
purchase. Greek. peripoieoleai. See Acts 20:28.
degree. Greek. bathmos. Only here.
boldness. Greek. parrhesia. Trnnsl. "freely", in Acts 2:29.
Christ Jesus. App-98.
Verse 14
unto. = to.
unto. App-104.
Verse 15
if. App-118.
tarry long = delay. Greek. braduno. Here and 2 Peter 3:9.
that = in order that. Greek. Heir,
behave thyself. Greek. anastrepho. See 2 Corinthians 1:12. An alternative reading, as Revised Version, "how men ought to behave themselves".
pillar. Greek. stulos. See Galatians 1:2, Galatians 1:9.
ground Greek. hedraiomo Only here.
Verse 16
without controversy = confessedly. Greek. homologoumenos. Only here.
great. Emph.
godliness. See 1 Timothy 2:2.
God. The Revised Version prints "He Who", and adds in margin, "Theos (God) rests on no sufficient evidence". The probability is that the original rending was ho (which), with the Syric and all the Latin Versions, to agree withmusterion (neut.) The Greek uncial being O, some scribe added the letter s, making OC (He Who), which ho thought made better sense. Later another put a ark in this O, making the word OC, the contraction for OEOC, God. This mark in Codex A, in the British Museum, is said by some to be in different ink.
was manifest. App-106.
the. Omit.
justified. App-191.
Spirit. App-101.
seen. App-106.
preached. App-121.
unto = among. Greek. en. App-104.
believed on. App-150.
world. App-129.
received up. Same word as Mark 16:19. Acts 1:2, Acts 1:11, Acts 1:22.
Into = in. Greek. en.
glory, See p. 1611.
04 Chapter 4
Verse 1
Spirit. App-101.
expressly = in express words. Greek. rhetos. Only here. in. App-104.
latter. Greek. husteros, Only here as adjective.
times = seasons. See Genesis 49:1. See App-196.
some. App-12.4.
depart = apostatise. Greek. aphistemi.
faith. App-150.
seducing. Greek. planos. See 2 Corinthians 6:8. spirits. App-101.
doctrines = teachings.
devils = demons.
Verse 2
Speaking, &c. = By (Greek. en) the hypocrisy of liars (Greek. pseudologos. Only here).
having, &c. = having been seared with a hot iron as to their own conscience.
seared, &c. Greek. kauteriazomai, Only here.
Verse 3
Forbidding to marry. This has been taken as indicating the Church of Rome, but that church only enjoins the celibacy of priests and monks and nuns. Spiritism, or the teaching of demons, enjoins being united only to the "spiritual affinity" and has wrecked many homes.
abstain. Greek. apechomoi. See Acts 16:20.
meats = efoods. Spiritist teaching is that animal food is unfavourable to the development of mediumistic power. The permission of Genesis 9:3 is significant, coming immediately after the outbreak of 1 Timothy 6:1-4.