The Argument of the First Epistle of S. Paul to Timothy

After the Epistles to the Churches, now follow his Epistles to particular persons, as to Timothee, to Titus, who were Bishops: and to Philemon.

Of Timothee we read Act. 16. how S. Paul in his visitation took him in his train at Lystra, circumcising him before, because of the Jews. he was then a Disciple, that is to say, a Christian man. Afterward the Apostle gave him holy Orders, and consecrated him Bishop, as he testifieth in both these Epistles unto him. 1. Tim. 4. v. 14. and 2. Tim. 1. v. 6.

He writeth therefore unto him as to a Bishop, and himself expresseth the scope of his first Epistle, saying: These things I write to thee, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to converse in the House of God, which is the Church. And so he instructeth him (and in him, all Bishops) how to govern both himself, and others. and touching himself, to be an example and a spectacle to all sorts, in all virtue. as touching others, to prohibit all such as go about to preach otherwise than the Catholic Church hath received, and to inculcate to the people the Catholic faith : to preach unto young and old, men and women : to servants, to the rich, to every sort conveniently. With what circumspection to give orders, and to what persons : for whom to pray : whom to admit to the vow of widowhood &c.

This Epistle was written, as it seemeth, after his first emprisonment in Rome, when he was dismissed and set at liberty. and thereupon it is, that he might say here, I hope to come to thee quickly. to wit unto Ephesus, where he had desired him to remain. although in his voyage to Jerusalem, before his being at Rome, he said at Miletum to the Clergy of Ephesus, upon probable fear: And now behold I know, that you shall no more see my face.

Where it was written, it is uncertain : though it be commonly said, at Laodicia. Which seemeth not, because it is like he was never there, as may be gathered by the Epistle to the Colossians, written at Rome in his last trouble, when he was put to death.