The Savior's earthly ministry involved journeys that, though not long (Palestine is not large), were constant. One might of course say that this was a fairly ordinary way of life for a prophet, as many people believed Jesus to be. Yet above all, this choice was naturally dictated by...
The Savior's earthly ministry involved journeys that, though not long (Palestine is not large), were constant. One might of course say that this was a fairly ordinary way of life for a prophet, as many people believed Jesus to be. Yet above all, this choice was naturally dictated by the need to preach the Kingdom that He had brought into the world.
His followers, however, seem to have been divided into two groups. Some preached and traveled with Him, while others—primarily women—remained at home and served Jesus, as the Evangelist says, out of their possessions. This division was of course caused above all by the need to have, if not a home (from the moment Jesus began preaching He no longer had an earthly home, and would not have one to the very end of His earthly ministry), then at least a place where He could stay for a while.
But this was probably not the only reason. Even then, during His ministry, there had to appear in the world the space of the Kingdom that church assemblies would later become. Of course, before Pentecost one could not yet speak of the Church in the full sense of the word. Yet the homes in which the Savior was awaited and where He held His gatherings became its prefiguration.
The Kingdom was, of course, wherever Jesus set foot. Yet certain homes where He could be encountered gave the Kingdom definite earthly outlines. This was important—not for the Savior Himself, naturally, but for those whom He wished to save. The homes in which Eucharistic assemblies took place later became similarly important for the Church. For they became a prefiguration of the house about which Jesus Himself said at the Last Supper that it has many rooms—so many that there is enough room for everyone.
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6:2 Let them not despise them - Pay them the less honour or obedience. Because they are brethren - And in that respect on a level with them. They that live in a religious community know the danger of this; and that greater grace is requisite to bear with the faults of a brother, than of an infidel, or man of the world. But rather do them service - Serve them so much the more diligently. Because they are joint partakers of the great benefit - Salvation. These things - Paul, the aged, gives young Timotheus a charge to dwell upon practical holiness. Less experienced teachers are apt to neglect the superstructure, whilst they lay the foundation; but of so great importance did St. Paul see it to enforce obedience to Christ, as well as to preach faith in his blood, that, after strongly urging the life of faith on professors, he even adds another charge for the strict observance of it.
6:3 If any teach otherwise - Than strict practical holiness in all Its branches. And consent not to sound words - Literally, healthful words; words that have no taint of falsehood, or tendency to encourage sin. And the doctrine which is after godliness - Exquisitely contrived to answer all the ends, and secure every interest, of real piety.
6:4 He is puffed up - Which is the cause of his not consenting to the doctrine which is after inward, practical religion. By this mark we may know them. Knowing nothing - As he ought to know. Sick of questions - Doatinglyy fond of dispute; an evil, but common, disease; especially where practice is forgotten. Such, indeed, contend earnestly for singular phrases, and favourite points of their own. Everything else, however, like the preaching of Christ and his apostles, is all "law," and "bondage," and "carnal reasoning." Strifes ofwords - Merely verbal controversies. Whereof cometh envy - Of the gifts and success of others. Contention - For the pre - eminence.Such disputants seldom like the prosperity of others, or to be less esteemed themselves. Evil surmisings - It not being their way to think well of those that differ from themselves in opinion.
6:5 Supposing that gain is godliness - Thinking the best religion is the getting of money: a far more common case than is usually supposed.
6:6 But godliness with content - The inseparable companion of true, vital religion. Is great gain - Brings unspeakable profit in time, as well as eternity.
6:7 Neither can we carry anything out - To what purpose, then, do we heap together so many things? O, give me one thing, - a safe and ready passage to my own country!
6:8 Covering - That is, raiment and an house to cover us.This is all that a Christian needs, and all that his religion allows him to desire.
6:9 They that desire to be rich - To have more than these; for then they would be so far rich; and the very desire banishes content, and exposes them to ruin. Fall - plunge - A sad gradation! Into temptation - Miserable food for the soul! And a snare - Or trap. Dreadful "covering!" And into many foolish and hurtful desires - Which are sown and fed by having more than we need. Then farewell all hope of content! What then remains, but destruction for the body, and perdition for the soul?
6:10 Love of money - Commonly called "prudent care" of what a man has. Is the root - The parent of all manner of evils.Which some coveting have erred - Literally, missed the mark. They aimed not at faith, but at something else. And pierced themselves with many sorrows - From a guilty conscience, tormenting passions, desires contrary to reason, religion, and one another. How cruel are worldly men to themselves!
6:11 But thou, O man of God - Whatever all the world else do. A man of God is either a prophet, a messenger of God, or a man devoted to God; a man of another world. Flee - As from a serpent, instead of coveting these things. Follow after righteousness - The whole image of God; though sometimes this word is used, not in the general, but in the particular, acceptation, meaning only that single branch of it which is termed justice. Faith - Which is also taken here in the general and full sense; namely, a divine, supernatural sight of God, chiefly in respect of his mercy in Christ. This faith is the foundation of righteousness, the support of godliness, the root of every grace of the Spirit. Love - This St. Paul intermixes with everything that is good: he, as it were, penetrates whatever he treats of with love, the glorious spring of all inward and outward holiness.
6:12 Fight the good fight of faith - Not about words. Lay hold on eternal life - Just before thee. Thou hast confessed the good confession - Perhaps at his baptism: so likewise, Ti1 6:13; but with a remarkable variation of the expression.Thou hast confessed the good confession before many witnesses - To which they all assented. He witnessed the good confession;but Pilate did not assent to it.