1 Timothy

In writing this Epistle Paul seemed not only to have respect to teach Timotheus, but chiefly to keep other in awe, which would have rebelled against him, because of his youth. And therefore he doeth arm him against those ambitious questionists, which under pretence of zeal to the Law, disquieted the godly with foolish and unprofitable questions, whereby they declared, that professing the Law they knew not what was the chief end of the Law. And as for himself, he so confesseth his unworthiness, that he sheweth to what worthiness the grace of God hath preferred him: and therefore he willeth prayers to be made for all degrees and sorts of men, because that God by offering his Gospel and Christ his Son to them all, is indifferent to every sort of men, as his Apostleship, which is peculiar to the Gentiles, witnesseth. And forasmuch as God hath left ministers as ordinary means in his Church to bring men to salvation, he describeth what manner of men they ought to be, to whom the mystery of the Son of God manifested in flesh is committed to be preached. After this he sheweth him what troubles the Church at all times shall sustain, but specially in the latter days, when as under pretence of religion men shall teach things contrary to the word of God. This done, he teacheth what widows should be received or refused to minister to the sick: also what Elders ought to be chosen into office, exhorting him neither to be hasty in admitting, nor in judging any: also what is the duty of servants, the nature of false teachers, of vain speculations, of covetousness, of rich men, and above all things he chargeth him to beware false doctrine.