21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us,
21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
21 "Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us
21 "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
21 "So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus-
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
22 Don't appoint people to church leadership positions too hastily. If a person is involved in some serious sins, you don't want to become an unwitting accomplice. In any event, keep a close check on yourself.
22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.
22 Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
(Read 1 Timothy 5:17-25)
Care must be taken that ministers are maintained. And those who are laborious in this work are worthy of double honour and esteem. It is their just due, as much as the reward of the labourer. The apostle charges Timothy solemnly to guard against partiality. We have great need to watch at all times, that we do not partake of other men's sins. Keep thyself pure, not only from doing the like thyself, but from countenancing it, or any way helping to it in others. The apostle also charges Timothy to take care of his health. As we are not to make our bodies masters, so neither slaves; but to use them so that they may be most helpful to us in the service of God. There are secret, and there are open sins: some men's sins are open before-hand, and going before unto judgment; some they follow after. God will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make known the counsels of all hearts. Looking forward to the judgment-day, let us all attend to our proper offices, whether in higher or lower stations, studying that the name and doctrine of God may never be blasphemed on our account.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 1:21
Commentary on Acts 1:15-26
(Read Acts 1:15-26)
The great thing the apostles were to attest to the world, was, Christ's resurrection; for that was the great proof of his being the Messiah, and the foundation of our hope in him. The apostles were ordained, not to wordly dignity and dominion, but to preach Christ, and the power of his resurrection. An appeal was made to God; "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men," which we do not; and better than they know their own. It is fit that God should choose his own servants; and so far as he, by the disposals of his providence, or the gifts of his Spirit, shows whom he was chosen, or what he has chosen for us, we ought to fall in with his will. Let us own his hand in the determining everything which befalls us, especially in those by which any trust may be committed to us.