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…

The second thing observable is, That though Timothy was thus brought up with godly Parents, and so knew the Scriptures from his youth. And as Calvin thinketh, because of that expression, 2 Tim. 5. where he was persuaded of the unfeigned faith that was in Timothy, as well as his Mother, that it doth relate not to Timothy at that time, who was no doubt an eminent believer, but to his infancy or younger years, yet that seemeth not coherent with that which Calvin saith in another place, viz. 1 Tim. 1. 2. where, because Paul calls Timothy his own Son in the faith, he saith, That Paul was his spiritual Father in begetting of him to Christ. It is therefore disputed, Whether Timothy was not converted from his youth, or by Paul's ministry afterward, as he did Onesimus, while in bonds? Some think, because he calls him [Greek or Hebrew], his germane, or sincere Son, not spurious, that he was the means of his conversion; as 1 Cor. 4. he saith, He had begotten the Corinthians by the Gospel. Others say, because he was so greatly instructed in the Christian faith, and so hopeful, Paul took him for a companion, and much delighted in him; and therefore Timothy a young man was serviceable to Paul, aged in propagating the Gospel; as a son to the father: and this the Apostle insinuateth upon a large commendation of Timothy, Phil. 2. 22. Others they think, That though Timothy might be converted from his youth, yet Paul did further instruct and convert him in the things of Christ, and so it was equivalent to a conversion. Now all these three respects may be allowed of, and have their seasonable matter of Doctrine.

The second thing observable is, That though Timothy was thus brought up with godly Parents, and so knew the Scriptures from his youth. And as Calvin thinketh, because of that expression, 2 Tim. 5. where he was perswaded of the unfeigned faith that was in Timothy, as well as his Mother, that it doth relate not to Timothy at that time, who was no doubt an eminent believer, but to his infancy or younger yeares, yet that seemeth not coherent with that which Calvin saith in another place, viz. 1 Tim. 1. 2. where, because Paul cals Timothy his own Sonne in the faith, he saith, That Paul was his spiritual Father in begetting of him to Christ. It is therefore disputed, Whether Timothy was not converted from his youth, or by Paul's ministry afterward, as he did Onesimus, while in bonds? Some think, because he cals him , his germane, or sincere Sonne, not spurious, that he was the means of his conversion; as