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

of his office received from God, not because Timothy doubted his calling, but so that greater dignity might be added to the matters. Furthermore, because the Apostle maintains this everywhere in all his epistles, there was therefore no reason why he should not perform the same here. Thus, in grave matters, it is pious, in the appropriate place and time, to commend oneself to others by the titles of one’s office.

First, he expresses his own name. We spoke about the name of Paul in the Prolegomena to the Epistle to the Romans. It is certain that it is a Roman name; however, when he assumed this, for what reason, or where, cannot be known for certain. Nevertheless, what we mentioned concerning these things at that time is probable. Therefore, a more serious disputation of these matters should be omitted, because it contributes nothing to salvation, and it is the mark of a curious man to inquire anxiously about these things.

Apostle.

Apostolus Apostle means an ambassador who brings forth the commands of some superior lord, not his own. In the New Testament, it is a person adorned with the supreme authority of the Holy Spirit for all things that pertain to the ecclesiastical function, to such an extent that they also performed the office of Prophets, and whatever Evangelists, Bishops, presbyters, and other ranks provided, they themselves would order. They taught everywhere, they established new churches, they appointed ministers over them, they sometimes ordained elders, and they prescribed the formula of doctrine, morals, and Sacraments. Thus, they did not remain in any fixed place, but everywhere