1 Timothy 5:22
New International Version
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

New Living Translation
Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

English Standard Version
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Berean Literal Bible
Lay hands on no one hastily, nor share in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

King James Bible
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

New King James Version
Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

New American Standard Bible
Do not lay hands upon anyone too quickly and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

NASB 1995
Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

NASB 1977
Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thus share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

Legacy Standard Bible
Do not lay hands upon anyone hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

Amplified Bible
Do not hurry to lay hands on anyone [ordaining and approving someone for ministry or an office in the church, or in reinstating expelled offenders], and thereby share in the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

Christian Standard Bible
Don’t be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

American Standard Version
Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Contemporary English Version
Don't be too quick to accept people into the service of the Lord by placing your hands on them. Don't sin because others do, but stay close to God.

English Revised Version
Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't be in a hurry to place your hands on anyone [to ordain him]. Don't participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself morally pure.

Good News Translation
Be in no hurry to lay hands on people to dedicate them to the Lord's service. Take no part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

International Standard Version
Do not ordain anyone hastily. Do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Majority Standard Bible
Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

NET Bible
Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

New Heart English Bible
Do not ordain anyone hastily, nor participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Webster's Bible Translation
Impose hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Weymouth New Testament
Do not ordain any one hastily; and do not be a partaker in the sins of others; keep *yourself* pure.

World English Bible
Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Be quickly laying hands on no one, nor be having fellowship with [the] sins of others; be keeping yourself pure;

Berean Literal Bible
Lay hands on no one hastily, nor share in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

Young's Literal Translation
Be laying hands quickly on no one, nor be having fellowship with sins of others; be keeping thyself pure;

Smith's Literal Translation
Put hands swiftly upon none, nor participate in others' sins: keep thyself pure.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Impose not hands lightly upon any man, neither be partaker of other men's sins. Keep thyself chaste.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You should not be quick to impose hands on anyone, nor should you take part in the sins of outsiders. Keep yourself chaste.

New American Bible
Do not lay hands too readily on anyone, and do not share in another’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not ordain anyone hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Do not lay hands hastily on any man, neither be a partaker of other men’s sins; keep yourself pure.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Lay hands quickly on no man, and do not share in the sins of strangers; keep yourself in purity.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Lay hands hastily on no man, nor be partaker of other men's sins: keep yourself pure.

Godbey New Testament
Lay hands quickly on no one, and be not partaker of other men's sins.

Haweis New Testament
Lay hands hastily on no man, nor share another’s sins: keep thyself pure;

Mace New Testament
Don't be hasty to ordain any man: and be not accessory to the faults of others: preserve your own integrity.

Weymouth New Testament
Do not ordain any one hastily; and do not be a partaker in the sins of others; keep *yourself* pure.

Worrell New Testament
Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be partaker of other men's sins. Keep yourself pure.

Worsley New Testament
Lay hands on no man precipitately, and be not hereby a partaker in the sins of others. Keep thyself pure.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Charge to Timothy
21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality. 22Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.…

Cross References
Acts 6:6
They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

1 Timothy 4:14
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

2 Timothy 1:6
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Acts 13:2-3
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough? / Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

2 John 1:11
Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ...

Ephesians 5:11
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil.

James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

1 Peter 5:3
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Leviticus 19:17
You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.

Numbers 27:18-23
And the LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. / Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight. / Confer on him some of your authority, so that the whole congregation of Israel will obey him. ...

Deuteronomy 13:6-11
If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known, / the gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, whether from one end of the earth or the other), / you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep yourself pure.

Lay.

1 Timothy 4:14
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Acts 6:6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 13:3
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

suddenly.

1 Timothy 3:6,10
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil…

Joshua 9:14
And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

neither.

Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

2 John 1:11
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

keep.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Acts 18:6
And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Acts 20:26
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

Jump to Previous
Clean Free Hands Hastily Hasty Impose Lay Ordain Others Part Partake Partaker Participate Pure Quickly Responsibility Share Sin Sins Suddenly Thereby Thought Thyself
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Clean Free Hands Hastily Hasty Impose Lay Ordain Others Part Partake Partaker Participate Pure Quickly Responsibility Share Sin Sins Suddenly Thereby Thought Thyself
1 Timothy 5
1. Rules to be observed in reproving.
3. Of widows.
17. Of elders.
23. A precept for Timothy's health.
24. Some men's sins go before unto judgment, and some men's follow after.














Do not be too quick
The phrase "do not be too quick" suggests a cautionary approach, urging patience and discernment. In the Greek, the word "tachéōs" implies haste or speed. Historically, this reflects the early church's need for careful consideration in leadership appointments. The early Christian communities were vulnerable to false teachings and needed leaders who were spiritually mature and doctrinally sound. This caution is a timeless principle, reminding believers to avoid impulsive decisions, especially in spiritual matters.

to lay hands on anyone
The act of "laying hands" is a significant biblical practice, often associated with ordination or commissioning for ministry. In Greek, "epitithēmi" means to place upon, indicating a formal and solemn act. This practice has roots in the Old Testament, where it symbolized the transfer of authority or blessing (e.g., Numbers 27:18-23). In the New Testament context, it underscores the importance of ensuring that those who are appointed to leadership are truly called and equipped by God. This act is not merely ceremonial but a recognition of God's work in an individual's life.

and do not share in the sins of others
This phrase warns against complicity in the wrongdoing of others. The Greek word "koinōneō" means to have fellowship or partnership. Historically, the early church faced challenges with false teachers and immoral practices infiltrating the community. By participating in or endorsing such behaviors, one becomes a partaker in their sins. This admonition serves as a reminder to maintain personal integrity and to distance oneself from actions that contradict Christian values.

Keep yourself pure
The call to "keep yourself pure" emphasizes personal holiness and moral integrity. The Greek word "hagnos" denotes purity, both in a physical and moral sense. In the historical context of the early church, purity was essential for leaders who were to be examples to the flock. This exhortation aligns with the broader biblical theme of sanctification, where believers are called to live lives set apart for God. It is an inspirational reminder that purity is not just an external condition but a heart posture that reflects one's relationship with Christ.

(22) Lay hands suddenly on no man.--This command refers primarily to the solemn laying on of hands at the ordination of presbyters and deacons. It no doubt also includes the "laying on of hands" customary, apparently, even in the Apostolic age, on the absolution of penitents and their re-admission to church fellowship.

Neither be partaker of other men's sins.--By thus negligently admitting into the ministry unfit persons--by carelessly and without due caution readmitting persons to a church fellowship, which by their evil life they had forfeited--Timothy would incur a grave responsibility, would in fact "be a partaker" in the sins and errors committed by those men, some of whom he had carelessly placed in important positions in the church, others of whom he had restored to communion before they had given sufficient evidence of their repentance. To limit, however, the reference of the command of St. Paul here to the laying on of hands in the ordination of presbyters and deacons, would imply a greater corruption in the church at that early date than is credible. Surely the number of "unfit" persons seeking the high and holy, but difficult and dangerous, posts of officers in a proscribed and hated community, would hardly by themselves have warranted such grave warning words as "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins."

Keep thyself pure.--The word "pure" here has a broad and inclusive signification. It, of course, denotes the urgent necessity of one holding Timothy's high and responsible office being pure and chaste in word and deed and thought; but here it also presses on the chief presbyter of Ephesus the imperative necessity of keeping himself, by ceaseless watchfulness, pure from all reproach in the matter of selecting candidates for the ministry, or in the restoring of the lapsed sinners to church fellowship.

Verse 22. - Hastily for suddenly, A.V. Lay hands, etc. Surely if we are guided by St. Paul's own use of the phrase, ἐπίθεσις χειρῶν, in the only two places in his writings where it occurs (1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6), we must abide by the ancient interpretation of these words, that they mean the laying on of hands in ordination. So also in Acts 6:6 and Acts 13:3, ἐπιτίθεναι χεῖρας is "to ordain." And the context here requires the same sense. The solemn injunction in the preceding verse, to deal impartially in judging even the most influential eider, naturally suggests the caution not to be hasty in ordaining any one to be an elder. Great care and previous inquiry were necessary before admitting any man, whatever might be his pretensions or position, to a holy office. A bishop who, on the spur of the moment, with improper haste, should ordain cue who afterwards required reproof as ἁμαρτάνων, sinning (ver. 20), would have a partnership in the man's sin, and in the evil consequences that flowed from it. And then it follows, Keep thyself pure; i.e. clear and guiltless (2 Corinthians 7:11), which he would not be if he was involved in the sin of the guilty elder. Observe that the stress is upon "thyself."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Do not be too quick
ταχέως (tacheōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5030: Soon, quickly, hastily. Adverb from tachus; briefly, i.e. speedily, or rapidly.

in the laying on
ἐπιτίθει (epitithei)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2007: To put, place upon, lay on; I add, give in addition. From epi and tithemi; to impose.

of hands
Χεῖρας (Cheiras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5495: A hand.

[and thereby]
μηδὲ (mēde)
Conjunction
Strong's 3366: And not, not even, neither…nor. From me and de; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor.

share
κοινώνει (koinōnei)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2841: From koinonos; to share with others.

in [the] sins
ἁμαρτίαις (hamartiais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.

of others.
ἀλλοτρίαις (allotriais)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 245: From allos; another's, i.e. Not one's own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile.

Keep
τήρει (tērei)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 5083: From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.

yourself
σεαυτὸν (seauton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4572: Of yourself.

pure.
ἁγνὸν (hagnon)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 53: From the same as hagios; properly, clean, i.e. innocent, modest, perfect.


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NT Letters: 1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands hastily on no one neither (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)
1 Timothy 5:21
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