Which some professing - Evidently some who professed to be true Christians. They were attracted by false philosophy, and soon, as a consequence, were led to deny the doctrines of Christianity. This result has not been uncommon in the world.

Have erred concerning the faith - see notes on 1 Timothy 1:6-7; 1 Timothy 6:10.

Grace be with thee - see the notes, Romans 1:7.

On the subscription at the close of this Epistle, see Intro., Section 2. It is, like the other subscriptions at the close of the epistles, of no authority.

Which some professing - Which inspired knowledge some pretending to, have set up Levitical rites in opposition to the great Christian sacrifice, and consequently have erred concerning the faith - have completely mistaken the whole design of the Gospel. See 1 Timothy 1:6, 1 Timothy 1:7.

Grace be with thee - May the favor and influence of God be with thee, and preserve thee from these and all other errors!

Amen - This word, as in former cases, is wanting in the most ancient MSS. In a majority of cases it appears to have been added by different transcribers nearly in the same way in which we add the word Finis, simply to indicate the end of the work.

The subscriptions as usual are various. The following are the most remarkable afforded by the MSS.: -

The first to Timothy is completed; the second to Timothy begins. - DE.

The First Epistle to Timothy is completed; the second to him begins. - G. The first to Timothy, written from Laodicea. - A. The first to Timothy, written from Ladikia. - Claromont. Written from Laodicea, which is the metropolis of Phrygia. - The first to Timothy, written from Laodicea, which is the metropolis of Phrygia of Pacatiana. - Common Greek Text, and several MSS. Instead of Pacatiana, some have Pancatiana, Capatiana, and Paracatiana.

The Versions are not less discordant: -

The First Epistle to Timothy, which, was written from Laodicea. - Syr.

The Vulgate has no subscription.

The end of the epistle. It was written from Laodicea, which is the metropolis of the cities of Phrygia. - Arab.

To the man Timothy. - Aethiopic.

The First Epistle to Timothy, written from Athens. - Arabic of Erpenius.

Written from Athens, and sent by Titus, his disciple. - Coptic.

Written from Macedonia. - Auctor Synops.

continued...

Which some professing,.... Pretending to be masters of the above science, boasting and making great show of it, and valuing themselves upon it:

have erred concerning the faith: have wandered from the way of truth, and gone into the path of error; have fallen from the doctrine of faith, and made shipwreck of it, and become entire apostates: from the danger attending vain jangling, the use of new words, the profession of a false science, and making objections from it against the truth, does the apostle dissuade Timothy from them, since they generally issue in apostasy.

Grace be with thee. Amen. This the apostle wishes to him, that he might be enabled to discharge every branch of his duty he had pointed to him in this epistle, and to keep him from all evil, and every false way, and preserve him safe to the kingdom and glory of God. And which he doubted not but would be his case, and therefore puts his "Amen" to it. The Alexandrian copy and Arabic version read, "grace be with you. Amen".

The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana. This last clause is left out in the Alexandrian copy and Syriac version; and indeed, in the apostle's time, Phrygia was not known by such an appellation as "Pacatiana", which was given it some years after by the Romans; and which shows, that the subscriptions to the epistles are not only of human authority, but of later date, at least some of them. The Arabic version calls it the metropolis of Phrygia, and leaves out "Pacatiana"; and one of Beza's manuscripts, instead of "Laodicea", reads "Macedonia", from whence, as from Philippi, or some other city there, he thinks it was written; and several learned men have been of opinion that it was written from Philippi.

Professing

See on 1 Timothy 2:10.

Erred (ἠστόχησαν)

See on 1 Timothy 1:6, and comp. 2 Timothy 2:18.

Grace be with thee

The correct reading is μεθ' ὑμῶν with you. Although addressed to an individual, he is included in the church. This brief benediction occurs in Paul only in Colossians.

Which some {i} professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. <<The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.>>

(i) Not only in word, but also in appearance and gesture: to be short, while their behaviour was such that even when they held their peace they would make men believe, their heads were occupied about nothing but high and lofty matters, and therefore they erred concerning the faith.

6:20,21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust. A final exhortation to faithfully discharge his trust.

Oppositions of science. The wild speculations which were already taught by dreamers and which were probably derived from Jewish sources. These speculations and departed from the faith. There are allusions in the Epistles to Ephesus and Colosse to the germs of the same false teaching.

21. Which some professing-namely, professing these oppositions of science falsely so called.

erred-(See on [2487]1Ti 1:6; [2488]1Ti 2:11)-literally, "missed the mark" (2Ti 3:7, 8). True sagacity is inseparable from faith.

Grace-Greek, "the grace," namely, of God, for which we Christians look, and in which we stand [Alford].

be with thee-He restricts the salutation to Timothy, as the Epistle was not to be read in public [Bengel]. But the oldest manuscripts read, "be with you"; and the "thee" may be a transcriber's alteration to harmonize with 2Ti 4:22; Tit 3:15.

Amen-omitted in the oldest manuscripts.

6:17-21 Being rich in this world is wholly different from being rich towards God. Nothing is more uncertain than worldly wealth. Those who are rich, must see that God gives them their riches; and he only can give to enjoy them richly; for many have riches, but enjoy them poorly, not having a heart to use them. What is the best estate worth, more than as it gives opportunity of doing the more good? Showing faith in Christ by fruits of love, let us lay hold on eternal life, when the self-indulgent, covetous, and ungodly around, lift up their eyes in torment. That learning which opposes the truth of the gospel, is not true science, or real knowledge, or it would approve the gospel, and consent to it. Those who advance reason above faith, are in danger of leaving faith. Grace includes all that is good, and grace is an earnest, a beginning of glory; wherever God gives grace, he will give glory.