Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men's sins. Keep yourself pure.
And from this rite this act was so called, as it might be when it was laid aside; just as, with the Jews, an ordination of one of their doctors is called סמיכה, "imposition of hands", though they performed it by words, and not by laying on of hands; which now by them is not judged necessary l: and then the sense is, do not hastily and at once admit any person into the sacred work of the ministry, or constitute him an elder, or pastor, over a church of Christ; but let him be first proved, and let it plainly appear, that he has the grace of God in him, and has gifts for public service bestowed on him; that he is sound in faith, and of a good life and conversation; and a man of uprightness and fidelity;