John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 5:22

"Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men`s sins: keep thyself pure." — 1 Timothy 5:22 (ASV)

Lay not hands suddenly on any man. There can be no doubt that he intended to guard Timothy against ill-will and to prevent many complaints, which continually arise against the godly servants of Christ who refuse to comply with the ambitious requests of anyone. For some accuse them of sternness, others of envy, and some exclaim that they are cruel because they do not immediately receive those who boast of having some qualities that recommend them. This is what we often experience today. Paul therefore exhorts Timothy not to set aside judicious caution and not to allow himself to be overpowered by improper feelings; not that Timothy needed such an admonition, but to restrain, by his authority, those who otherwise might have annoyed Timothy.

First, the “laying on of hands” means ordination; that is, the sign is used for the thing signified, for he forbids him to receive anyone too easily who has not been fully tried. There are some who, out of a desire for novelty, would wish to receive into the ministerial office some person hardly known at all, as soon as he has given one or two performances that are considered good. It is the duty of a wise and thoughtful bishop to resist this troublesome inclination, in the same manner as Paul here instructs Timothy to do.

Neither partake of other men’s sins. He means that whoever consents to an unlawful act of ordination is involved in the same guilt as the principal actors in it. Yet some explain it this way: “If he admits unworthy persons, whatever faults they may later commit, the blame or a part of the blame will be imputed to him.” But I think this is a simpler view of it: “Though others rush into such rashness, do not make yourself a partaker with them, lest you share in their guilt.” Even when our judgment is otherwise sound, it often happens that we are carried away by the folly and levity of others.

Keep thyself pure. I consider this also to have the same reference as the preceding clause. As if he had said, “If others do anything that is wrong, beware that no contagion reaches you, either by consent or by approval. If you cannot prevent them from polluting themselves, it is at least your duty to keep your counsels always separated from theirs, so that you may keep yourself pure.” If anyone prefers to view it as a general statement, let them enjoy their opinion; but, for my own part, I consider it more suitable to limit it to the present context.