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What the Fathers say
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. …
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. …
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. …
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? …
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 …
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? …
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