Fathers

1 Timothy 5

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Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan. If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 5:22

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Lay hands," he says, "suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins." What is "suddenly"? Not upon a first, nor a second, nor a third trial, but after frequent and strict examination and circumspection. For it is an affair of no common peril. For thou wilt be responsible for the sins committed by him, as well his past as his future sins, because thou hast delegated to him this power. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 16 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The Apostle has come also to the most important matter, by which the church is chiefly sustained, that is, to ordination, and says: "do not lay hands hastily," that is, not after the first or third examination, but after repeated and thorough investigation, since this matter is not without danger. And in what way? – Listen. Since you are the cause of what he will do in the future, you therefore become a participant in both his good deeds and his sinful ones. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

Do not quickly lay hands on anyone, nor share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. And Paul discusses the matter of selecting for ordinations. For he wrote to a bishop. And he says, do not quickly, for example, not from the first or second thoughts, but after examining many times and thoroughly. nor share in the sins of others. That is, appointing a bishop that is unworthy of the people. Keep yourself pure. Paul commands Timothy concerning self-control. …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Therefore Cyprian and all those bishops were partakers in the sins of other men, inasmuch as they remained in communion with such men, when they removed no one from the right of communion who entertained a different opinion. Where, then, is the Church, which, according to these words must be held to have perished from that very moment by the contagion of their sins? …

On Baptism, Against The Donatists 7.5.9 ↗

Leo the Great

For the peace and order of the Lord's whole household will be shaken, if what is required in the body be not found in the head. Where is that precept of the blessed Apostle Paul uttered through the Spirit of God, whereby in the person of Timothy the whole number of Christ's priests are instructed, and to each one of us is said: "Lay hands hastily on no one, and do not share in other men's sins?" What is to lay on hands hastily but to confer the priestly dignity on unproved men before the proper age, before there has been time to test …

Letters 12.2 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, do not impose hands lightly upon any man, he treats about promotions; and this seems to be a reason for his previous advice. For just as he must not be quick to punish, so he must not be quick to promote, i.e., ordain to sacred orders speedily: let these also first be proved (1 Tim 3:10): gather unto me seventy men of the ancients of Israel, whom you know to be ancients and masters of the people (Num 11:16). As if to say: those whom you are certain to be worthy. And why? …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗