Commentarii in Epistolas D. Pauli ad Timoth. ad Titum, et ad Philem. facili et perspicua methodo conscripti. A D. Benedicto Aretio bernensi theologo. Cum indice rerum memorabilium quae in hisce conti

not at all counterfeited, simply pious, and truly Christian, who looks to nothing other than the course of Christ. Great is the praise in itself regarding integrity.

A son is spoken of in religion, likewise in affection; for because he was rightly instructed by the work of Paul in the cause of faith, he provided for him that which pious parents are especially accustomed to provide for their children, that is, pious education and instruction. Therefore, he was a father to him, in the sense that teachers can be called the parents of their disciples. Furthermore, because he followed him with no less affection, and conversely, he himself cultivated the Apostle with the mind of a son, as in Philippians 2: as a son with a father, he has served with me in the Gospel. Hence, in the same place he is called ἰσόψυχος like-minded, that is, endowed with the same affection for me as I am for him.

The particle distinguishes between sons; for some are natural—thus he was properly the son of Eunice and of a certain Greek man who was Eunice’s ordinary husband. Others are fathers by instruction, by spirit and desire to assist; thus teachers, tutors, and all benefactors are in the place of parents. Thus, Paul was his father in the cause of faith. And faith may be taken for the whole cause of religion; that is to say, he is my son in the Christian religion, in Christianity.

He adorns him with these praises so that he may remind him of the gifts of God; for he commemorates nothing here of which Timothy could boast by himself. Then, admonished concerning these gifts, he will be