Let no man therefore despise him
On account of his youth; see ( 1 Timothy
4:12 ) , or neglect to take care of him, which would be to
despise him, since he was employed in such an honourable work,
equally as the apostle himself: hence it is manifest, that as the
lives of Gospel ministers ought to be defended and secured by
those to whom they minister, their persons ought to be treated
with esteem and respect.
But conduct him forth in peace;
when he takes his leave, wish him all happiness and prosperity,
accompany him some part of the way in his journey, and provide
things necessary for him; all which used to be done to such who
laboured in the word and doctrine, and were counted worthy of
double honour; and such an one Timothy was judged by the apostle
to be:
that he may come unto me;
at Ephesus, where he now was, in peace and safety, and relate to
him the state and condition of the church; their steadfastness in
the faith, their care of him, and the respect they had shown him;
all which would be grateful to the apostle:
for I look for him with the brethren;
that is, either the brethren that were with the apostle were in
earnest expectation of him, together with himself; and so the
Ethiopic version reads, "for our brethren with me have expected
him"; or else that he looked for him along with the brethren,
that either went with him, or should come with him from Corinth,
being sent by the church.