HOMILIES OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE, FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TIMOTHY. ARGUMENT. i. TIMOTHY too 1 was one of the disciples of the Apostle Paul. To the extraordinary qualities of this youth testimony is borne by Luke, who informs us, that he was " well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium." (Acts xvi. 2.) He became at once a disciple and a teacher, and gave this singular instance of his prudence, that hearing Paul preach without insisting upon circumcision, and understanding that he had formerly withstood Peter upon that point, he chose not only not to preach against it, but to submit to that rite. For Paul, it is said, "took and circumcised him" (Acts xvi. 3), though he was of adult age, and so trusted him with his whole economy.2 The affection of Paul for him is a sufficient evidence of his character. For he elsewhere says of him, "Ye know the proof of him, that as a son with a father, he hath served with me in the Gospel." (Phil. ii. 22.) And to the Cor inthians again he writes : " I have sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord." (i Cor. iv. 17.) And again : "Let no man despise him, for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do." (i Cor. xvi. 10, u.) And to the Hebrews he writes, " Know that our brother Timothy is set at liberty." (Heb. xiii. 23.) Indeed his love for him is everywhere 1 KO.L. The reference is not clear. It may possibly be to Titus, whom he presently names before Timothy; but the explanations that follow would be hardly needed in that case. - i.e. his plan of meeting Jewish prejudices. apparent, and the miracles 3 that are now wrought still attest his claims.4 2. If it should be asked why he addresses Epistles to Titus and Timothy alone, though Silas was approved, as also was Luke, for he writes, " Only Luke is with me " (2 Tim. iv. n), and Clement was one of his associates, of whom he says, "with Clement and other my fellow-laborers" (Phil. iv. 3), for what reason then does he write only to Titus and Timothy? It is because he had already committed the care of churches to these, and certain marked 5 places had been assigned to them, but the others were in attendance upon him. For so preeminent in virtue was Timothy, that his youth was no im pediment to his promotion ; therefore he writes, "Let no man despise thy youth" (i Tim. iv. 12, and v. 2) ; and again, "The younger women as sisters." 6 For where there is virtue, all other things are superfluous, and there can be no impediment. Therefore when the Apostle dis courses of Bishops, among the many things he requires of them, he makes no particular men tion of age. And if he speaks of a Bishop "being the husband of one wife," and "having his children in subjection" (i Tim. iii. 2, 4), this is not said, as if it were necessary he should have a wife and children ; but that if any should 3 Of miracles said to be wrought by the bones of Timothy, sec Horn, on Stat. i, 2, Ben. 4 TT ipprjffiai . His freedom of speech in the court of Heaven. See Horn. i. on Slat. 2, and note at the end of Horn. vi. on Stat. Horn. i. on Stat. enlarges on the character of Timothy, from i Tim. v. 23. 5 Or conspicuous ba.vfpols. 8 Some copies omit the latter quotation.