Why Did Paul Tell Timothy Not to Lay Hands Suddenly on Anyone?

Paul’s exhortation to Timothy had nothing to do with healing.  He was not talking about laying on of hands for healing.  He was talking about laying hands on people to ordain them as elders in the church.  He warned Timothy not to set anyone up as an elder quickly.  This is consistent with his advice elsewhere to make people prove themselves before being given an office in the church.  Otherwise, Timothy could inadvertently become a partaker of other men’s sins by putting his stamp of approval on men who were sinning.

The fact that Paul was talking about ordination is obvious from the context.  No further discussion should be needed once you read this whole passage:

1 Timothy 5:17-22:
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.