1 Timothy 5:22

“Lay hands suddenly on no man, etc.] Which is not to be understood of removing censures from off offenders, upon their repentance, which should not be suddenly and hastily done; and which it seems in later times has been done by imposition of hands; but since no such custom obtained in the apostle's time, and a taking off of censures is never in Scripture signified by this phrase, it cannot be intended here; but rather the admission of persons into the work of the ministry, and the installing of them into the office of an or pastor; upon whom, in these early times, hands were laid by the apostles, whereby gifts were conveyed, as on Timothy; (see Gill on “<540414>1 Timothy 4:14”). And from…”

“Lay hands--that is, ordain (Ti1 4:14; Ti2 1:6; Tit 1:5). The connection is with Ti1 5:19. The way to guard against scandals occurring in the case of presbyters is, be cautious as to the character of the candidate before ordaining him; this will apply to other Church officers so ordained, as well as to presbyters. Thus, this clause refers to Ti1 5:19, as next clause, "neither be partaker of other men's sins," refers to Ti1 5:20. ELLICOTT and WIESINGER understand it of receiving back into Church fellowship or absolution, by laying hands on those who had been "rebuked" (Ti1 5:20) and then excommunicated (Mat 18:17); Ti1 5:20 favors this. But as in Ti1 4:14, and Act 6:6; Act 13:3; Ti2 1:6, the…”

“Lay hands suddenly on no man - Some have understood this of laying on hands to heal the sick (Koppe); others of the laying on of hands to absolve penitents, but the obvious meaning is to refer it to ordination. It was usual to lay the hands on the heads of those who were ordained to a sacred office, or appointed to perform an important duty; notes, 1 Timothy 4:14; compare Acts 6:6; Acts 8:17. The idea here is, that Timothy should not be hasty in an act so important as that of introducing people to the ministry. He should take time to give them a fair trial of their piety; he should have satisfactory evidence of their qualifications. He should not at once introduce a man to the ministry…”

“Lay hands suddenly on no man - That is, appoint no man to church offices without full trial and examination; else thou wilt be accessary to, and accountable for, his misbehaviour in his office. Keep thy self pure - From the blood of all men. 1 Timothy 5:24”

“5:22 Do not share in the sins of others: Those who commission an elder are responsible for his conduct.”

“Lay: Ti1 4:14; Act 6:6, Act 13:3; Ti2 1:6; Heb 6:2 suddenly: Ti1 3:6, Ti1 3:10; Jos 9:14; Ti2 2:2; Tit 1:5-9 neither: Eph 5:11; Jo2 1:11; Rev 18:4 keep: Ti1 4:12; Act 18:6, Act 20:26 1 Timothy 5:23”