5:22 What does Paul mean by what he says here?

There are two schools of thought among Christians as to the meaning of what Paul says here. One is that he is commanding Timothy not to hastily ordain any man to public ministry in the church. Each one must be tested and proved first, otherwise Timothy will be implicated in any sins an unwise choice may commit.

The other view is that Paul is referring to the sinning elder in V20-21, and commands Timothy not to hastily restore him to fellowship in the church, or Timothy will be implicated in his sin (CP V20-21). Both views have merit, and they both teach that Christian leaders must always conform to scriptural requirements for the ordination of any man who aspires to public ministry in the church (CP 1Ti 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9).