1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy · Chapter 5

1 Timothy 5:22

1Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.3Honour widows that are widows indeed.4But 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.5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.7And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.8But 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.9Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,10Well 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.11But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.13And 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.14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.15For some are already turned aside after Satan.16If 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.17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.18For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.21I 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.22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.24Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

This verse sits in Paul's instructions to Timothy about church elders (5:17-21). Elders who lead well deserve honor, accusations against them need witnesses, and those who sin are rebuked publicly. Paul then tells Timothy to lay hands suddenly on no one, nor share in other men's sins. 1 Timothy 5:171 Timothy 5:191 Timothy 5:201 Timothy 5:211 Timothy 5:221 Timothy 4:14Acts 6:6

Commonly taken out of context

How it’s often used'Keep thyself pure' is often quoted on its own as a general motto for personal or sexual purity, cut off from the rest of the verse.

In contextIn context the phrase closes a warning about appointing leaders. Timothy keeps himself pure, meaning guiltless, by not rushing to approve people and so sharing in their sins. 1 Timothy 5:22Strong's G0053Strong's G28411 Timothy 5:17

SpeakingPaul the apostle, who names himself as the writer of the letter. 1 Timothy overview

ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul had left to lead the church at Ephesus. The commands in this verse are addressed to him personally. 1 Timothy overviewStrong's G4771

Also involvedThe people Timothy might lay hands on, which in context most likely means men being set apart as elders. The whole church is also affected by who leads it. 1 Timothy 5:171 Timothy 5:191 Timothy 3:10

Three linked commands. Do not lay hands on anyone too quickly. Do not take part in other people's sins. Keep yourself pure. Elsewhere, laying on of hands marks setting people apart for a task, as with Timothy himself and the seven in Acts. 1 Timothy 5:221 Timothy 4:142 Timothy 1:6Acts 6:6Acts 13:3

The letter is addressed to Timothy at Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia. The place it was written from is not stated, though Macedonia is possible. 1 Timothy overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAAegean SeaEphesusLaodiceaMiletusPhilippiThessalonicaCorinth

The eventsThis is a letter of instruction, not a story. It assumes Timothy is already leading the church at Ephesus, after Paul had moved on to Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview

WrittenTraditional view: about AD 62-64, by Paul, between his two Roman imprisonments. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110 and think a follower wrote it in Paul's name, while others defend Paul's authorship and the earlier date. 1 Timothy overview

HerePaul wants Timothy to choose church leaders carefully. A leader approved in haste may turn out to have hidden sins, and as verses 24-25 note, some sins only come to light later. 1 Timothy 5:221 Timothy 5:241 Timothy 5:251 Timothy 3:61 Timothy 3:10

In the whole of ScriptureThe letter teaches that church leaders must be people of proven character, and that belief and behavior belong together. Deacons, too, must 'first be proved' before serving. 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 3:10

For readersThose who approve or endorse others carry some responsibility for what they approve. The same idea appears in 2 John 1:11, where welcoming a false teacher makes one 'partaker of his evil deeds.' 1 Timothy 5:222 John 1:11Ephesians 5:11

  • suddenlyταχέως
    Greek · tacheōs · G5030

    The Greek word means quickly or hastily, and in this verse carries a sense of rashness. The warning is against acting too fast. It does not forbid laying on hands. Strong's G5030

  • lay (hands)ἐπιτίθημι
    Greek · epitithēmi · G2007

    This verb is used for the laying on of hands. In this letter and in Acts, that act sets people apart for service, which points to appointing leaders here. Strong's G20071 Timothy 4:14Acts 6:6Acts 13:3

  • be partakerκοινωνέω
    Greek · koinōneō · G2841

    The word means to have a share in or take part in. Approving an unworthy person makes Timothy a sharer in that person's sins. Strong's G2841Strong's G0245

  • pureἁγνός
    Greek · hagnos · G0053

    The word can mean chaste, but also undefiled or guiltless. In this verse it fits the idea of staying free of blame for other people's sins. Strong's G0053

Takeaway

Paul tells Timothy not to rush to appoint leaders, because approving someone too quickly makes you share in their wrongs. Keeping yourself pure here means staying guiltless through careful judgment. 1 Timothy 5:221 Timothy 5:241 Timothy 3:10

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.

The world around the text

About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68

    Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16

  • Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s

    Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203

  • Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66

    Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308

  • King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78

    Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23

What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia

    Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31

  2. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea

    Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17

  3. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica's revolt in Britain

    Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39

  4. c. AD 60-62
    The churchPaul under guard in Rome

    Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31

  5. c. AD 61-63
    DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile

    Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181

  6. AD 62
    The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem

    Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13

  7. AD 62 or 63
    DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii

    An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22

  8. c. AD 62
    DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines

    The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35

  9. c. AD 63-64
    BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished

    Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6

  10. July AD 64
    DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome

    Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38

  11. AD 64
    The churchNero blames and kills Christians

    To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2

  12. AD 65
    RulersA plot against Nero fails

    The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17

  13. AD 66
    WarThe Jewish revolt begins

    After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24

  14. AD 66-67
    BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth

    Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24

  15. c. AD 67
    The churchPaul's death in Rome

    In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25

  16. June AD 68
    RulersNero dies

    Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
HandsχεῖραςcheirasG5495
hand

χείρ (cheir) χείρ, genitive, χειρος (accusative, χεῖραν, 1Pe.5:6 T), ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for יָד ;] the hand: Mat.3:12, Mrk.3:1, Luk.6:6, al. mult.; ἡ χ., acting subject, Luk.22:21; pl., Act.17:25 20:34, 1Jn.1:1; τ. ἔργα τῶν χ., Act.7:41, Rev.9:20; ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τ. ἐμῇ χ., 1Co.16:21, Col.4:18, 2Th.3:17; prepositional phrases, esp. those without art., similar to Heb. constructions (Bl., §32, 4; 40, 9; 46, 9), ἐν χ.; with genitive (Lft., in l.), Gal.3:19; σὺν χ. ἀγγέλου, Act.7:35; διὰ (τῶν) χειρῶν (διὰ χειρός), Mrk.6:2, Act.5:12 7:25, al.; ἐπὶ χειρῶν, Mat.4:6, Luk.4:11; ellipse of χ. (ἡ δεξία, ἀριστερα; Bl., § …

soonταχέωςtacheōsG5030
soon

ταχέως (tacheōs) ταχέως (ταχύς) adv., [in LXX chiefly for מְהֵרָה and cognate forms ;] quickly, hastily: Luk.14:21 16:6, Jhn.11:31, 1Co.4:19, Php.2:19, 24, 2Ti.4:9; with suggestion of rashness, Gal.1:6, 2Th.2:2, 1Ti.5:22.† (AS)

on no oneμηδενὶmēdeniG3367
nothing

μηδείς (mēdeis) μηδείς, -δεμία, -δέν (and -θέν, Act.27:33, a Hellenistic form; see Bl., 6, 7; Thackeray, Gr., 58) related to οὐδείς as μή to οὐ, no, none, no one; neut., nothing: Mat.16:20, Mrk.5:43 6:8, Luk.3:14, Act.8:24, Rom.13:8, al.; with genitive, Act.4:17 24:23; neut. accusative, μηδέν, adverbially, in no respect, Act.10:20 11:12; as accusative obj. after verb, βλάπτειν, Luk.4:35; ὠφελεῖσθαι, Mrk.5:26; ὑστερεῖν, 2Co.11:5; μεριμνᾶν, Php.4:6; in double negation, strengthening the denial, μηκέτι μ., Mrk.11:14, Act.4:17; μὴ . . . μηδέν (μηδένα, μηδεμίαν), 2Co.13:7, 2Th.2:3, 1Pe.3:6 μηθείς, see. μηδείς …

do layἐπιτίθειepititheiG2007
to put/lay on

ἐπιτίθημι (epitithēmi) ἐπι-τίθημι [in LXX for נָתַן, שָׁוָה, etc. ;] 1. to lay, set or place upon: with accusative of thing(s), before ἐπί, with accusative of thing(s), Mat.23:4, Luk.15:5, Jhn.9:6 (WH, txt. Jhn.9:15), Act.15:10 28:3; ἐπί, with genitive of thing(s), Mat.27:29; ἐν, ib.; with dative of person(s), σταυρόν, Luk.23:26; στέφανον, Jhn.19:2; ὄνομα, Mrk.3:16-17; πληγάς, Luk.10:30, Act.16:23; ἐπί with accusative of person(s), Rev.22:18; of the laying on of hands, τ. χεῖρα (-ας), before ἐπί with accusative of person(s), Mat.9:18, Mrk.16:13, Act.8:17 9:17; with dative of person(s), Mat.19:13, 15, Mrk.5:23 6:5 …

norμηδὲmēdeG3366
nor

μηδέ (mēde) μηδέ negative particle, related to οὐδέ as μή to οὐ, 1. as conic., continuing a negation or prohibition, but not, and not, nor: preceded by μή, Mat.6:25 22:29, Mrk.12:24, Luk.14:12, al.; ἵνα μή, Jhn.4:15; ὅπως μή, Luk.16:26; μηδέ . . . μηδέ, neither . . . nor, Mat.10:10, 1Co.10:8-9. 2. As adv., strengthening a negation, not even: Mrk.2:2, 1Co.5:11, al (AS)

do shareκοινώνειkoinōneiG2841
to participate

κοινωνέω (koinōneō) κοινωνέω, -ῶ [in LXX: 2Ch.20:35, Job.34:8, Ecc.9:4 (חָבַר), Pro.1:11, Wis.6:23, Sir.13:1, al. ;] to have a share of, go shares in (something) with (some one), take part in: with genitive of thing(s) (as usually in cl., so Pr, l.with), Heb.2:14; with dative of thing(s), Rom.12:13 15:27, 1Ti.5:22, 1Pe.4:13, 2Jn.11; with dative of person(s), before εἰς, Php.4:15; ἐν, Gal.6:6 (cf. συν-κοινωνέω).† (AS)

in [the] sinsἁμαρτίαιςhamartiaisG0266
sin

ἁμαρτία (hamartia) ἁμαρτία, -ας, ἡ (ἁμαρτάνω, which see), [in LXX chiefly for חַטָּאת and cogn. forms, also for פֶּשַׁע ,עָוֹן, etc. ;] prop. a missing the mark; in cl. (see reff. to CR in MM, VGT, see word); (a) guilt, sin (Plat., Arist., al.); (b) more freq., from Æsch. down, a fault, failure. In NT (as LXX) always in ethical sense; …

of others,ἀλλοτρίαις,allotriaisG0245
another’s

ἀλλότριος (allotrios) ἀλλότριος, -α, -ον (ἄλλος), [in LXX for זוּר, נֵכָר, אַחֵר ;] 1. be-longing to another, not one's own (opposite to ἴδιος): Luk.16:12, Rom.14:4 15:20 (Field, Notes, 165 f.), 2Co.10:15-16, 1Ti.5:22, Heb.9:25. 2. foreign, strange, alien (opposite to οἰκεῖος; see MM, VGT, see word): Mat.17:25-26, Jhn.10:5, Act.7:6, Heb.11:9, 34.† (AS)

yourselfσεαυτὸνseautonG4771
you

σέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

pureἁγνὸνhagnonG0053
pure

ἁγνός (hagnos) ἁγνός, -ή, -όν (ἅγος, see: ἅγιος), [in LXX chiefly for טָהוֹר (Pss, and Pr. only), also 2Ma.13:8, 4Ma.18:7, al. ;] 1. free from ceremonial defilement, in a condition prepared for worship (for exx. of pagan usage, V. MM, VGT, see word). 2. holy, sacred, venerable (II Mac, l.with). 3. As in OT (cl.), pure, chaste, undefiled, guiltless; (a) of persons: 2Co.7:11 11:12, 1Ti.5:22, Tit.2:5, 1Jn.3:3; (b) of things: Php.4:8, Jas.3:17, 1Pe.3:2. …

do keep.τήρει.tēreiG5083I
to keep: observe

τηρέω (tēreō) τηρέω, -ῶ [in LXX for שָׁמַר, נָצַר, etc. ;] 1. to watch over, guard, keep, preserve: Mat.27:36, Act.16:23, al.; ἑαυτόν, 2Co.11:9, 1Ti.5:22, Jas.1:27, Ju 21; before εἰς, Jhn.12:7, Act.25:21, 1Pe.1:4, 2Pe.2:4 2:9 3:7, Ju 6; ἐν, Jhn.17:11-12, Ju 21; ἐκ, Jhn.17:15, Rev.3:10; τ. πίστιν, 2Ti.4:7, Rev.14:12; τ. ἑνότητα τ. πνεύματος, Eph.4:3. …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.