Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 55

Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 11

1 Timothy 5:19-20 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. KJV

Paul now presents to Brother Timothy the only method deemed right, respectful, and responsible of charging any one of the elders in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ of wrongdoing that is harmful first to our Lord Jesus Christ and then to the body of believers that are under the elders care by writing these words, "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses." (1 Timothy 5:19) (KJV). When Paul writes in this verse, 'receive not an accusation', he is declaring to Timothy that not every assertion or accusation or affirmation by a person in the Church against an elder in the Church is to be listened to or accepted gladly into confidence, for we recall that just earlier the Apostle Paul had declared that many of the younger widows in the Church had become gossips, "Moreover, as they go about from house to house, they learn to be idlers, and not only idlers, but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say {and} talking of things they should not mention." (1 Timothy 5:13) (Amplified Bible), therefore, we can believe that also this practice of gossip was not just relegated to the women in the Church, but some of the men also and such gossip could be brought against an elder as if it were the truth. The English word 'receive' is translated by the Greek word paradechomai which means to accept near, that is, admit or (by implication) delight in: - receive. The little English phrase 'an accusation' is translated by the Greek word katēgoria which means a complaint, that is, criminal charge: - accusation. In other words, the leadership of Christ Church was not to gladly accept or delight in any one person who came to them with a complaint or charge against an elder without proof that their charge held merit. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning not receiving every accusation against an elder in the Church, "Be very cautious of receiving evil reports against those whose business it is to preach to others, and correct their vices."

An elder should have the right and the opportunity to face his accuser face to face (especially if it be just one person), for even the barbarian Romans (at that time) allowed this for persons accused of criminal offenses against their government as it is written, "And while they remained there for many days, Festus acquainted the king with Paul's case, telling him, There is a man left a prisoner in chains by Felix; And when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me about him, petitioning for a judicial hearing {and} condemnation of him. But I replied to them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up freely any man for punishment before the accused had met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to defend himself concerning the charge brought against him." (Acts 25:14-16) (Amplified Bible). Therefore, being fully aware of this (for Paul lived it), he informs Brother Timothy that only accusations made and sustained, supported, and substantiated by two or three witnesses was even to be heard and then received by the Church leadership. The little English word 'but' is translated by the Greek word ektos meaning  except in the case; and here of two or three witnesses. Paul (as directed by God the Holy Spirit) wanted then and still wants today that no duteous, dutiful, or diligent elder working to speak and declare the truth from the Word of God be falsely accused by some person or persons in the Church who desire to see a more watered down Word be presented just as Paul dealt with personally concerning the Church @ Galatia when he wrote to them these very affecting and touching words, "What has become of that blessed enjoyment {and} satisfaction {and} self-congratulation that once was yours [in what I taught you and in your regard for me]? For I bear you witness that you would have torn out your own eyes and have given them to me [to replace mine], if that were possible. Have I then become your enemy by telling the truth to you {and} dealing sincerely with you? These men [the Judaizing teachers] are zealously trying to dazzle you [paying court to you, making much of you], but their purpose is not honorable {or} worthy {or} for any good. What they want to do is to isolate you [from us who oppose them], so that they may win you over to their side {and} get you to court their favor." (Galatians 4:15-17) (Amplfied Bible).

The Apostle Paul now proceeds to tell Timothy how 'the elder' who is charged and found guilty of whatever sin should be dealt with by the leadership of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ as he writes these words, "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." (1 Timothy 5:20) (KJV). It is fairly clear what the Apostle Paul desires of Brother Timothy to do concerning those elders in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ who are found guilty of sin, for when he writes this, 'Them that sin rebuke before all', Paul means that their sin should be reprimanded before the entire congregation of believers for which they are responsible for serving, because their position in the Church was public, so must their rebuke be public and not done in private. The English word 'rebuke' is translated by the Greek word elegchō which means to confute, admonish: - convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove. When Paul writes, 'that others also may fear', he means that they would be frightened of having their sin exposed before the entire Church to hear and to see their reprimand, reproof, and rebuke, just as was done during the days that the children of Israel were under the law, even though Timothy then and we now are no longer under the law, but under grace, it stills serves as a deterrent to the other elders in the Church leadership, as well as all the congregation, as it is written, "If a false witness rises up against any man to accuse him of wrongdoing, Then both parties to the controversy shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, Then you shall do to him as he had intended to do to his brother. So you shall put away the evil from among you. And those who remain shall hear and [reverently] fear, and shall henceforth commit no such evil among you. Your eyes shall not pity: it shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." (Deuteronomy 19:16-21) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning the elders public rebuke and the fear of all, "Public rebuke is designed for the good of others, that they may fear, as well as for the good of the party rebuked; hence it was ordered under the law that public offenders should receive public punishment, that all Israel might hear, and fear, and do no more wickedly."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…