Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Timothy 1:3

3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, `when I went into Macedonia g, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine h.

Ephesus was a great City in Asia the less, whither Paul came Acts 19.1. where Demetrius raised a tumult against him; which the Town Clerk appeased as we read there. From thence he went into Macedonia. Acts 20.1, 2, 3. upon this his motion into Macedonia (as Divines judge) he left Timothy at Ephesus. The end of leaving him at Ephesus, was that he might charge some that they preached no other Doctrine, that is, none contrary to what he had preached, none contrary to the Doctrine of the Gospel, Gal. 1.8, 9. what power was here committed to Timothy is by some questioned, supposing (which is very probable) there were a greater number of Disciples then could meet in one Assembly, his power was more then Pastoral, for he had a power over the Teachers. Whether this power was extraordinary or ordinary, and what God intended ever to continue in the Church is the question. Those who make it to be such make it to be Episcopal, those that make it extraordinary, say it was the work of an Evangelist, 2 Tim. 2.4. That there was such an Officer in the Primitive Church appears from Acts 21.8. Eph. 4.11. That this was Timothy's work appears from 2 Tim. 4.5. nor is it a new thing; but very common in the settlement of all new Governments, to authorize some special Commissioners and to give them an extraordinary power for a time till the Government can be settled, and things brought into a fixed order. If we consider the words without prejudice, I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, they seem to signifie that Timothy was not the establisht Bishop of Ephesus, for to what end should the Apostle desire a Bishop to reside in his own Diocess, which he could [illegible: 1 letter]ot forsake without neglecting his duty, and the offence of God? This were a trait reflexion as if he were careless of his duty. And the word abide [non-Latin text not transcribed], does not necessarily import his constant residence there: for 'tis used to signifie continuance for some time only; as 'tis said of the Apostle, that remained many dares at Corinth, Acts 18.18. when his stay there was only for some Months. The intention of the Apostle seems to be that Timothy should continue for a while at Ephesus, and not accompany him in his Voyage to Macedonia, as he was wont to do upon other occasions. And 'tis evident by the sacred History, that about six moneths after Timothy was with the Apostle in Greece, that he went with him to Macedonia and Troas, and Miletus, Acts 20.1, 4. where the Apostle sent for the Elders or Bishops of Ephesus, to leave his last solemn charge with them. In short if Timothy had been appointed the Bishop of Ephesus, the Apostle would probably have given this Title of honour to him in the inscription of his Epistle. Upon the impartial considering of the whole matter, though the passion of Prelacy is so ingenious, as to discover so many mysteries and Myters in a few plain words, (viz. that Timothy was Bishop of that City, Metropolitan of the Province, and Primate of all Asia) yet 'tis most likely that Timothy was left onely for some time with a kind of Apostolical power in the Church of Ephesus; of which power this was one branch, authoritatively to command seducers not to teach another Doctrine, then what was taught by the Apostles who were divinely illuminated. A divine rule, and most worthy of perpetual observation by all in the office of the Ministry. And this sheweth the mighty proness of men as to deviate in their conversations from the right ways, so in their judgements from the truths of God, otherwise Paul had had no need to have left Timothy for that end, in this Church so newly planted.