Barnes New Testament Notes

Verse 2. And the things which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, Marg. by. Before, or in the presence of, many witnesses. Perhaps he refers to a solemn charge which he gave him, in the presence of the church, when he was ordained. It is by no means improbable that such a charge was given then to a newly-ordained minister, as it is now. On such an occasion, the apostle would be likely to state a summary of Christian doctrine, -- See Barnes "2 Ti 1:13, -- and to exhort Timothy to a faithful adherence to it.

The same commit thou to faithful men. In the same way as those things have been committed to you. The reference is undoubtedly to ordination to the ministerial office. Timothy was to see that those only were admitted to the ministry who were qualified to understand the truths of religion, and to communicate them to others. This is a clear warrant for ministers to set apart others to the same sacred office. It does not prove that the people are not at liberty to choose their own pastor, but only that those in the ministry are to set apart others to the same office with themselves. There is, doubtless, to be a succession of ministers in the church; but the true line of the succession is to be found in good men who are qualified to teach, and who have the Spirit of Christ, and not merely in those who have been ordained.

Who shall be able to teach others also. On the qualifications of ministers, See Barnes "1 Ti 3:2, also 1 Ti 3:3-7.

{1} "among many witnesses" "by" {b} "thou to faithful" 1 Ti 1:18 {c} "able to teach" Tit 1:9