1 Timothy 5:21-22 21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to follow these things without partiality, doing nothing according to favoritism. 22Do not lay hands on hastily nor participate in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
Paul gives a serious charge to Timothy using a word used in taking an oath in a court of law. He calls upon three witnesses. Each of the three witnesses have roles in judgment in the Bible. God is the final judge who shows no favoritism but knows even the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Christ Jesus will be the judge on the final day and will be an advocate for those who believe. The elect angels serve as witnesses in God’s court. Timothy must govern and guide the relationships in the Ephesian church with the realization that he must give an account before God of his leadership. He must model the judgment of God and make sure all he does is according to God’s truth.
The critic issue for Paul is that Timothy follow his instructions carefully and without partiality and favoritism. A judge might show partiality or prejudice without knowing the facts and choosing sides. Timothy needed to know all the facts before acting so that his judgments would be fair. Favoritism can be a danger in ministry when certain people bestow praise or give gifts to a leader, expecting a positive response back. Political lobbyists have this practice down to a science. Favoritism has the danger of overlooking or twisting the truth in order to get one’s way. Timothy needed to focus on the truth and work on correcting the false teachings. Prejudice and favoritism are responses created by the temptation of attention, praise, and deceit.
In verse 22, Paul indirectly warns Timothy of two other types of dangers from compromising the truth. One is hastily laying hands on someone. The early church often laid hands on people for com missing, forgiveness, and prayers for healing. Any of these could fit this verse, but the context of this chapter suggests that Paul had in mind a form of ordination of leaders. Timothy needed to choose carefully those who would serve as leaders in the church. This statement assumes almost a form of apostolic authority to Timothy, even though he was young.
Second, Timothy needed to be careful not to compromise and get trapped by the sins of other people. Comprising is a danger that comes to leaders who are tempted by the praise of people. Choosing leaders too quickly or showing any type of favoritism could lead Timothy to sin in his own life. The answer to this danger was a pure life. The adjective pure (hagnon) has a strong moral overtone related to a holy lifestyle that pleased God. Integrity is part of holiness. Timothy could show integrity by careful leadership practices. Good leadership requires many practical skills, but character is the most crucial quality to ensure the truth of the gospel is taught and the mission of God is carried out.
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