1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep yourself pure. I. WHEN DO WE MAKE OURSELVES PARTAKERS OF OTHER MEN'S SINS? 1. Ministers make themselves partakers in the sins of their people, when those sins are occasioned by their own negligence, by their example, or by unfaithfulness in the discharge of their official duties. 2. Parents participate in the sins of their children, when they occasion, and when they might have prevented them. But further, parents partake in the guilt of their children's sins when they might and do not prevent them. 3. The remarks, which have been made respecting parents, will apply, though perhaps somewhat less forcibly, to masters and guardians, and all who are concerned in the government and education of youth. 4. Churches become partakers of the sins of an individual member, when these sins are occasioned by a general neglect of brotherly watchfulness and reproof, and when they are tolerated by the Church in consequence of a neglect of Church discipline. 5. We all make ourselves partakers in other men's sins, when we either imitate or in any other way countenance and encourage them. 6. Members of civil communities partake of all the sins which they might, but do not prevent. 7. If private citizens partake of all the sins which they might have prevented, much more do rulers and magistrates. Subjects who have the privilege of choosing their own rulers and magistrates, make themselves partakers of all their sins, when they give their votes for vicious or irreligious characters. II. TO STATE SOME OF THE REASONS WHICH SHOULD INDUCE US TO GUARD AGAINST PARTAKING OF OTHER MEN'S SINS. 1. If we partake of their sins, we shall share in their punishment. 2. It is impossible not to perceive how completely our subject justifies the con duct of those much insulted individuals, who have voluntarily associated for the purpose of assisting in executing the laws, and suppressing vice and immorality among us. (E. Payson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.WEB: Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men's sins. Keep yourself pure. |
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