But hath manifested There was indeed some manifestation of this kind, when God in ancient times spake by his prophets; but because Christ publicly, displayed by his coming those thing which they had obscurely predicted, and the Gentiles were afterwards admitted into the fellowship of the covenant, in this sense Paul says that what had formerly been exhibited in part "hath now been manifested." In his own times This has the same meaning as "the fullness of times." (Galatians 4:4.) He reminds us that the time when it pleased the Lord to do this -- must have been the most seasonable time for doing it; and he mentions this for the purpose of meeting the rashness of men, who have always the hardihood to inquire why it was not sooner, or why it is to-day rather than to-morrow. In order therefore that our curiosity may not exceed proper bounds, he shews that the "times" are placed in the hand, and at the disposal, of God, in such a manner that we ought to think that he does everything in the proper order and at the most seasonable time. His word. Or, by his word; for it is not uncommon with Greek writers to supply the preposition by. Or, he calls Christ the Word; if it be not thought preferable to supply something for the sake of completing the sentence. Were it not that the second exposition is a little forced, in other respects I should give it the preference. Thus John says, "What we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what our hands have handled of the Word of life; and the life was manifested." (1 John 1:1, 2.) I therefore prefer what is a simple meaning, that God hath manifested the word concerning the life by the preaching of the gospel. The preaching, of which he speaks, is the gospel proclaimed, as the chief thing which we hear in it is -- that Christ is given to us, and that in him there is life. Which hath been committed to me. Because all are not indiscriminately fit for so important an office, and no man ought to thrust himself into it, he asserts his calling, according to his custom. Here we ought to learn -- what we have often remarked on other occasions -- that the honor is not due to any man, till he has proved that God has ordained him, for even the ministers of Satan proudly boast that God has called them, but there is no truth in their words. Now Paul states nothing but what is known and proved, when he mentions his calling. Besides, from this passage we learn for what purpose they were made apostles. It was for the sake of publishing the gospel, as he says elsewhere, "Woe to me if I preach not the gospel, for a dispensation is committed unto me." (1-Corinthians 9:16, 17.) Accordingly, they who enact dumb show, in the midst of idleness and luxury, are excessively impudent in boasting that they are the successors of the apostles. Of God our Savior He applies the same epithet to the Father and to Christ, so that each of them is our Savior, but for a different reason; for the Father is called our Savior, because he redeemed us by the death of his Son, that he might make us heirs of eternal life; and the Son, because he shed his blood as the pledge and the price of our salvation. Thus the Son hath brought salvation to us from the Father, and the Father hath bestowed it through the Son.

But hath in due times - At the proper time; the time which he had intended; the best time: see the notes at 1-Timothy 2:6; compare the notes at Matthew 2:2.
Manifested his word through preaching - See the notes at 2-Timothy 2:10. The meaning here is, that he has made known his eternal purpose through the preaching of the gospel; compare the notes at Romans 10:14-15.
Which is committed unto me - Not exclusively, but in common with others; see the notes at 2-Timothy 1:11.
According to the commandment of God our Saviour - Paul always claimed to be divinely commissioned, and affirmed that he was engaged in the work of preaching by the authority of God; see Galatians 1:1-12; 1-Corinthians 1:1; Romans 1:1-4.

But hath in due times - Καιροις ιδιοις· In its own times. See 1-Timothy 2:6; Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 2:7. God caused the Gospel to be published in that time in which it could be published with the greatest effect. It is impossible that God should prematurely hasten, or causelessly delay, the accomplishment of any of his works. Jesus was manifested precisely at the time in which that manifestation could best promote the glory of God and the salvation of man.
Manifested his word - Τον λογον αὑτου· His doctrine - the doctrine of eternal life, by the incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Which is committed unto me - That is, to preach it among the Gentiles.
According to the commandment of God our Savior - This evidently refers to the commission which he had received from Christ. See Acts 9:15 : "He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles." For, "I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee; to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light," etc,; Acts 26:16, etc. This is the commandment; and according to it he became the apostle of the Gentiles.
God our Savior. - As the commission was given by Jesus Christ alone, the person whom he terms here God our Savior must be Jesus Christ only; and this is another proof that St. Paul believed Jesus Christ to be God. This eternal life God had promised in a comparatively obscure way before the foundation of the world, the Jewish dispensation; but now under the Gospel, he had made it manifest - produced it with all its brightness, illustrations, and proofs.

(3) But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our (f) Saviour;
(3) This truth is not to be sought anywhere else, but in the preaching of the apostles.
(f) This word "Saviour" does not only signify a preserver of life, but also a giver of life.

But hath in due times manifested his word,.... Either Christ, his essential Word; or the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation; or rather his word of promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus:
through preaching; through the ministry of the word by the apostles; in which Christ is revealed in the glory of his person, and the fulness of his grace, and in the efficacy of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; and in which the Gospel, that was ordained before the world was, and is the fellowship of the mystery which was hid in God, is published; and in which the promise of eternal life, which lay in God's heart, in the covenant of grace, and in the hands of Christ, and which with Christ, and his Gospel, were hid under the dark types, shadows, and sacrifices of the law, is clearly made known: "in due times"; appointed by God, agreed between the Father and the Son, and suitable to the state, case, and condition of men; when the law of Moses, and the light of nature, legal sacrifices, and moral power, had been sufficiently tried, the one in the Jewish, the other in the Gentile world; and after that the Son of God was become incarnate, which was in the fulness of time; and when he had suffered for the ungodly, which was in due time; see 1-Timothy 2:6.
Which is committed unto me; that is, which preaching or ministry of the word, the Gospel, and the dispensation of it, which, as a trust, was deposited in the hands of the apostle, and of which he was a faithful steward: according to the commandment of God our Saviour; either God the Father, so called, Titus 3:4 compared with Titus 1:6 and who is the Saviour of all men in a providential way, and of all the elect in a way of special grace, by his Son Jesus Christ; and by whom the apostle was appointed and separated to the preaching of the Gospel; and by whom this was committed to his trust: or rather the Lord Jesus Christ, who is truly and properly God, the great God, and our Saviour, Titus 2:13 and who is the only Saviour of lost sinners; and he it was that personally appeared to Paul, and made him a minister of the word, committed the Gospel to him, and gave him a commandment, and orders to preach it among the Gentiles, Acts 26:15.

in due times--Greek, "in its own seasons," the seasons appropriate to it, and fixed by God for it (Acts 1:7).
manifested--implying that the "promise," Titus 1:2, had lain hidden in His eternal purpose heretofore (compare Colossians 1:26; 2-Timothy 1:9-10).
his word--equivalent to "eternal life" (Titus 1:2; John 5:24; John 6:63; John 17:3, John 17:17).
through preaching--Greek, "in preaching," of rather as ALFORD (see on 2-Timothy 4:17), "in the (Gospel) proclamation (the thing preached, the Gospel) with which I was entrusted."
according to--in pursuance of (compare 1-Timothy 1:1).
of God our Saviour--rather as Greek, "of our Saviour God." God is predicated of our Saviour (compare Jde 1:25; Luke 1:47). Also Psalm 24:5; Isaiah 12:2; Isaiah 45:15, Isaiah 45:21, Septuagint. Applied to Jesus, Titus 1:4; Titus 2:13; Titus 3:6; 2-Timothy 1:10.

And he hath in his own times - At sundry times; and his own times are fittest for his own work. What creature dares ask, "Why no sooner?" Manifested his word - Containing that promise, and the whole "truth which is after godliness." Through the preaching wherewith I am intrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour - And who dares exercise this office on any less authority?