An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

We have then the Person described by his name, Timothy; and by his relation, Brother. Not in a large sense, as Paul sometimes calls all believers Brethren, but in a special respect, because of his Office he was in, though at other times he calls him Son; of which in its time.

We have then the Person described by his name, Timothy; and by his relation, Brother. Not in a large sense, as Paul sometimes cals all believers Brethren, but in a special respect, because of his Office he was in, though at other times he cals him Son; of which in its time.

Let us first consider his Name, and so his Person; and then his relation.

His name is Timothy, as much as one that is for the honour of God; and so indeed he proved in an admirable manner instrumental thereunto. We may read of what parents he came, Acts 16. 1, 2. his Father was a Grecian, and an Infidel, but his Mother a Jewish woman, and one that believed. For Paul in 2 Tim. 1. 5. gives a great commendation of his Grandmother and Mother, and so to himself, as if their faith had been hereditary. For although his Father was a Gentile, yet because his Mother believed, she took so much pains with him, as that he knew the Scriptures from his youth up. Insomuch that Nazianzen said, It was a great benefit to have godly Parents, especially to have a godly Mother; because the mother, if holy, hath many opportunities to instill holy principles into the children, while young. And therefore Solomon speaks much of the instructions, which his Mother gave him.