“Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with the sins of others. Keep yourself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22 NET).
We can heed the admonition given to us in this passage if we prayerfully and carefully consider those we seek to promote before we promote them. While any fallible human being is susceptible to falling into sin, there should be no obvious character deficiencies or advance warning signs that might later cause one to think, “I should have seen that coming” when considering others for advancement.
In addition to serving as a cautionary message, we can also apply this passage in several other ways. One commentator provides us with a range of potential applications…
“We all have enough sin of our own; we do not need to add to it by partaking in the sins of others. There are many ways we can do this. We can share in the sins of others by setting a bad example before them. We can share in the sins of others by approving of them or ignoring them. We can share in the sins of others by joining a church that spreads dangerous teachings.” (1)
Another potential application involves the restoration of an errant Christian brother or sister. In this view, the phrase “laying on of hands” signals an act of reinstatement, acceptance, and fellowship. Therefore, a leader who prematurely restores someone who has fallen into sin will be called into question if that person subsequently fails to demonstrate the fruit of a truly repentant life.
Finally, this verse closes with a brief but important reminder: “Keep yourself pure.” You see, it is possible to focus upon these standards in others to such a degree that we fail to apply them to ourselves. Much like a signal or an alarm, this passage should remind us to observe an important Biblical admonition: “…let the man who feels sure of his standing today be careful that he does not fall tomorrow” (1 Corinthians 10:12 Phillips).
The source quoted earlier follows with a valuable insight: “This connects to an important idea. If Timothy was called to observe and assess the lives of others, it was important that he pay even more attention to his own life.” This passage of Scripture should thus encourage us to seek God each day for the wisdom, perception, and discernment necessary to make good decisions.
We can avoid identifying with the sins of others if we prayerfully seek God’s illumination for any similar “blind spots” that may exist within our own lives.
(1) Guzik, Dave, 1 Timothy 5 – How To Treat People In The Church, https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-timothy-5/