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"Do not lay hands on anyone hastily..."

Text: 1 Timothy 5:22

THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD

The ministry of the Lord was viewed as something sacred. This was carefully taught by the apostle Paul. Hence great attention had to be given in the selection of leaders (1 Timothy 3).

When people have been found to be suitable they are then consecrated to the ministry of the Lord by the laying on of hands.

THE LAYING OF HANDS

Reference to the laying on of hands in 1 Timothy 4:14, where Paul had laid hands on him. Paul reminded Timothy of the ministry of the laying on of hands in this text.

“Do not lay hands on anyone hastily,
nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.”
1 Timothy 5:22

1. “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily”

a) This is an important word of advice to be heeded.

b) The danger of adding the “wrong people” to serve in higher spiritual capacity is very real.

i) There could be “pressure” to lay hands on people.

ii) The minister of God can end up laying hands on people “hastily”.

c) These people can end up creating problems in the church in their capacity as church officials.

d) There could be a veiled reference to restoring people who have failed too quickly.

2. “Nor share in other people’s sins”

a) That people will sin is a fact that is all too commonly present.

b) The challenge is not to share in their sins (that is, “to be a partaker”)

i) Through not rebuking sins.

ii) Through silence.

iii) Through actual complicity.

c) This would have disastrous results.

3. “Keep yourself pure”

a) This is something that Timothy must be conscious of all the time.

b) This call must be understood within this present context:-

i) The minister of God cannot but rebuke sin publicly.

ii) He must dare to deal with errant leaders.

iii) He has to keep himself blameless at all times.