Apostolic devotion owned.
The opening two little words of the fifth verse must not be neglected. The fifth verse does not merely summarize the incidents narrated in the preceding four verses. It connects them as effects with their just causes, or with that which was in part, and as matter of fact, their just cause. Observe, then, that—
I. THE LOVE OF APOSTOLIC HEARTS ESTABLISHES FAITH IN THE HEARTS OF OTHERS AND INCREASES THE SPREAD OF IT.
II. THE KINDLY PASTORAL VISITING OF THOSE OF SUPERIOR KNOWLEDGE, AND WHO HAVE BEEN SET AND CALLED OF GOD, AS LEADERS, ESTABLISHES THE FAITH OF WHOLE CHURCHES AND INCREASES THEIR NUMBER.
III. THE ACTIVE ZEAL OF THE OLDER AND HONORED LEADERS IN SEEKING AND ENCOURAGING YOUNG RECRUITS THROWS ENERGY INTO EXISTING FAITH AND PROVIDES DIRECT MEANS FOR PROPAGATING IT.
1. Paul selects Timothy, observing him to be the right sort.
2. Paul recognizes the need of new blood and young blood, and lets the Churches see that he does so.
3. Paul suggests the circumcision of Timothy, as son of a Jewish mother, that no time should be unnecessarily lost in removing objections on the part of the Jewish elements in the Churches he was visiting.
IV. AN EQUITABLE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DECISIONS OF THE "APOSTLES AND ELDERS," AND A JUST ATTENTION TO ECCLESIASTICAL ORDER, STEADIES THE FAITH RESIDENT IN THE CHURCH AND PROMOTES THE GROWTH OF IT ELSEWHERE. (Acts 16:4.) To try to "put a yoke upon the neck" of any Church is to "tempt God" (Acts 15:10). To give it true liberty is like giving it air and light.—B.