1 Timothy 5:21-25 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

Bible Comments

(21) I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. (22) Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. (23) Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. (24) Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. (25) Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

I admire the Apostle's solemn charge to Timothy. Let the Reader figure to himself the venerable Apostle, standing to admonish the Young Bishop, (as he is supposed to have been), on those grand points, which he here enjoins. Modern times can furnish no idea of what this must have been. But if all charges were directed to such a purpose, and delivered as before God, and under his authority, as this of Paul's was, we should form very different judgment to what we are now accustomed to form on this subject. By the elect Angels, we are to understand these chosen to be kept by Christ. Not in union with Christ. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels. Hebrews 2:16. But elect Angels preserved in their integrity by him: and different from those which fell, not being elect. Jude 1:6. Elect Angels therefore preserved by Christ but not as the church is elect and preserved in Christ. And let the Reader here learn, by the way, this precious truth. Election is not confined to men but reacheth to Angels. And all from Him and his pleasure who worketh after the counsel of his own will. But let the Reader no less keep in remembrance this precious truth also. Though there are elect Angels, which are kept by Christ, perfect, and secure from the possibility of falling, yet they have no union with Christ as we have. He is their Lord and Preserver by dominion. But He is our Lord, Head, and Husband by union. Oh! the preciousness of that Scripture, he passed by the nature of angels, and took on him the seed of Abraham. Hebrews 2:16

Now Paul chargeth Timothy before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, to observe these things, meaning the duties of his function. It is a sweet thought! Angels we know are ministering spirits. They attend the Lord's people, watch over them for good, encamp about them, and minister to their comfort. And, as they attended Christ when he returned to glory, so will they grace his triumph when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all that believe. 2 Thessalonians 1:10. See Hebrews 2:16. and Commentary. I do not think it necessary to offer any observations on what follows in this chapter, as they chiefly relate to the persons of the Apostle and Timothy. And I am unwilling to swell our Commentary beyond the limits of what may be proper.

1 Timothy 5:21-25

21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.