ISB ~ 1 Timothy 4 v14

the elders:Includes Paul, along with the assembled bishops of the Ephesian Church (2 Tim 1:6). laid their hands upon: The imposition of hands is a gesture with various meanings in the Bible. It was done to (1) perform healings (Mk 16:18), (2) confer blessings (Mt 19:13), (3) appoint missionaries (Acts 13:1-3), (4) bestow the Spirit on believers (Acts 8:17; 19:6), (5) unload the sins of Israel onto sacrificial beasts (Lev 16:21), (6) transfer religious authority from one leader to another (Num 27:18-23; Deut 34:9), and (7) appoint the Levites for sacred ministry (Num 8:10-11).

• These last two examples (6 and 7) provide the immediate background for the New Covenant rite of priestly ordination. Timothy’s consecration as a bishop gives him the fullness of priestly and apostolic authority to ordain others, as well (1 Tim 5:22). Jewish rabbis were similarly appointed by a council of synagogue elders who laid hands on the candidate (CCC 1573-76).