This is a faithful saying He now sets down, at the conclusion of the argument, what he stated twice at the beginning of it; and he appears to do so expressly, because he will immediately subjoin the contrary objection. Yet it is not without good reason that he employs so strong an assertion; for it is a paradox strongly at variance with the feeling of the flesh, that God supplies his people, in this world, with everything that is necessary for a happy and joyful life; since they are often destitute of all good things, and, on that account, appear to be forsaken by God. Accordingly, not satisfied with the simple doctrine, he wards off all opposing temptations by this shield, and in this manner instructs believers to open the door to the grace of God, which our unbelief shuts out; for, undoubtedly if we were willing to receive God's benefits, [1] he would use greater liberality toward us.

Footnotes

1 - "Si les benefices de Dieu trouvoyent entree a nous, et que nous fussion disposez a les recevoir." -- "If God's benefits found admission to us, and if we were disposed to receive them."

This is a faithful saying - see the notes on 1-Timothy 1:15.

This is a faithful saying - The truth of this doctrine none need doubt; and every man has it in his power to put this to the proof. See on 1-Timothy 1:15 (note).

(13) This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
(13) He goes a little from his matter, and shows that those who give themselves to godliness, even though they are afflicted and reproached, are nonetheless not to be considered miserable as other men are, because they are not afflicted for that reason that other men are, and the end of them both is far different one from the other. For how can God forsake his own, who is bountiful even towards his enemies? And he wishes that this doctrine is well learned by them.

This is a faithful saying,.... A true one, and to be believed, that godliness has such promises annexed to it; see 1-Peter 3:10.
and worthy of all acceptation; by all godly persons, to encourage them to the exercise of godliness.

(1-Timothy 1:15). This verse (Greek), "faithful is the saying, " &c. confirms the assertion as to the "promise" attached to "godliness," 1-Timothy 4:8, and forms a prefatory introduction to 1-Timothy 4:10, which is joined to 1-Timothy 4:9 by "For." So 2-Timothy 2:11. Godly men seem to suffer loss as to this life: Paul hereby refutes the notion [BENGEL]. "God is the Saviour specially of those that believe" (1-Timothy 4:10), both as to "the life that now is," and also as to "the life which is to come" (1-Timothy 4:8).