Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
Parallel translations
- WEB Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure.
- BSB Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
- NKJV Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.
- NASB Do not lay hands upon anyone too quickly and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
- NLT Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Timothy should not ordain anyone hastily, lest he share in their sins, and must keep himself pure. Care in appointing leaders guards the church and the minister.
Overview
Laying on of hands likely refers to ordaining or restoring leaders; doing so rashly makes one complicit in their failures. Paul urges careful discernment and personal purity in the one who appoints. The charge reminds every leader that holiness and prudence go together, and that Christ's church deserves leaders set apart with care.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Eph 5:11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
- 1 Tim 3:10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
- 1 Tim 3:6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
- 1 Tim 4:14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
- Acts 6:6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
- 2 Jn 1:11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
- 2 Tim 2:2And 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.
- 2 Tim 1:6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
- Heb 6:2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
- Acts 13:3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
- 1 Tim 4:12Let 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.
- Rev 18:4And 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.
- Acts 20:26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
- Acts 18:6And 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.
- Titus 1:5–9For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
- Josh 9:14And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.
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There is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all' — the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.
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Original language
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