(d) In ch. iv:20, the Apostle says 'Erastus abode in Corinth.' Such language implies that shortly before writing this epistle the Apostle had been at Corinth, where he left Erastus. But before his first imprisonment Paul had not been at Corinth for several years, and during the interval Timothy had been with him, so that he did not need to write to him at a later period about that visit (Acts xx :4). Hug contends that emeine simply expresses the fact that Erastus was then residing at Corinth, without necessarily implying that Paul had left him there; but would the Apostle in this case have used the aorist? On these grounds the hypothesis has been adopted that Paul, after his first imprisonment, was set at liberty, resumed his missionary labors, was again apprehended, and wrote this epistle dur ing his second imprisonment. Whichever hypoth esis we adopt we shall encounter difficulties: but the latter seems, upon the whole, the preferable (comp. the Introductions of Horne, Hug, Michae lis, Eichhorn; Hemsen's Leben Pauli; Paley's Ho rs, Pauline, etc.).
4. Design. The design of the first epistle is partly to instruct Timothy in the duties of that office with which lie had been intrusted, partly to supply him with credentials to the churches which he might visit, and partly to furnish through him guidance to the churches themselves. It may be divided into three parts, exclusive of the intro duction (i:1, 2), and the conclusion (vi :20, 21).
(1) Reminding Timothy of His Duties. In the first of these parts (i:3-20) the Apostle re minds Timothy generally of his functions, and especially of the duties he had to discharge in reference to certain false teachers, who were anx ious to bring the believers under the yoke of the law.
(2) Instructions Concerning Order of Wor ship. In the second (ii-vi :2) he gives Timothy particular instructions concerning the orderly con ducting of divine worship, the qualifications of bishops and deacons, and the proper mode of be having himself in a church.
(3) Concerning the Ephesians. In the third (vi :3-1g) the Apostle discourses against some vices to which the Christians at Ephesus seem to have been prone.
The design of the second epistle is partly to inform Timothy of the Apostle's trying circum stances at Rome, and partly to utter a last warn ing voice against the errors and delusions which were corrupting and disturbing the churches. It consists of an inscription (i:1-5) ; of a series of exhortations to Timothy to be faithful in his zeal for sound doctrine, patient under affliction and persecution, careful to maintain a deportment be coming his office, and diligent in his endeavors to counteract the unhallowed efforts of the false teachers (i :6; iv:7) ; and a conclusion in which Paul requests Timothy to visit him, and sends the salutations of certain Christians at Rome to Tim othy, and those of the Apostle himself to some be lievers in Asia Minor.
5. Literature. Paterson, Commentary, Lond. 1848; Ellicott, Commentary, Bost. i866; Alford, Commentary, 1866; Lange, Commentary, i868.
TIN (tin), (Heb. bed-eel'; Sept. Keuralrepos, kas-sit 'er-os).
If this substance be really intended by the He brew word, which seems somewhat doubtful, it is first mentioned among the metals which were to be purified by fire found among the prey taken from the Midianites (Num. xxxi :22). It is also named among the articles of commerce which the Tyrians received from Tarshish (Ezek. xxvii: 12) ; and a leveling instrument of bed-cc' used by builders is noticed in Zech. iv :to. (Marg. "stone of tin.") The Hebrew word also denotes the alloy of lead, tin, and other inferior metals, combined with silver in the ore and separated from it by smelting (Is. i :25).