1 Timothy 5:20 - Honoring Elders

But those who persist in sin
This phrase addresses the issue of ongoing, unrepentant sin within the church community. In the context of 1 Timothy, Paul is providing guidance to Timothy on how to manage church leadership and discipline. The emphasis here is on persistence, indicating a pattern of behavior rather than a single act. This aligns with the biblical principle of repentance and transformation (Romans 12:2). The early church faced challenges with false teachings and moral lapses, and this directive aims to maintain the integrity and holiness of the church body (1 Corinthians 5:1-13).

should be rebuked
Rebuke is a strong term that implies correction and confrontation. In the biblical context, rebuke is not merely criticism but a call to repentance and restoration (Proverbs 27:5). The process of rebuke is meant to be redemptive, aiming to bring the sinner back into right standing with God and the community. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God’s discipline as an expression of His love (Hebrews 12:5-11).

in front of everyone
Public rebuke serves as a deterrent and a means of accountability. In the early church, public discipline was a way to uphold communal standards and prevent the spread of sin (Galatians 2:11-14). This practice is rooted in the Jewish tradition of communal responsibility and the need for transparency in leadership (Deuteronomy 19:15-21). It underscores the seriousness of sin and the importance of maintaining a pure witness to the world.

so that the others will stand in fear of sin
The purpose of public rebuke is to instill a healthy fear of sin within the community. This fear is not about terror but a reverent acknowledgment of the consequences of sin and the holiness of God (Proverbs 9:10). It serves as a warning to others, encouraging them to live righteously and avoid similar pitfalls. This principle is echoed in the broader biblical narrative, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and a deterrent against sin (Psalm 111:10).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance on church leadership and conduct.

2. Timothy
A young pastor and protégé of Paul, tasked with leading the church in Ephesus and addressing issues within the congregation.

3. Ephesus
The city where Timothy was stationed, known for its diverse population and challenges in maintaining doctrinal purity.

4. Elders
Church leaders who are the focus of this passage, particularly those who may be persisting in sin.

5. The Church
The body of believers in Ephesus, who are to witness the public rebuke and learn from it.

Teaching Points

The Seriousness of Sin in Leadership
Church leaders are held to a high standard due to their influence and responsibility. Persistent sin among leaders must be addressed to maintain the integrity of the church.

The Purpose of Public Rebuke
Public rebuke serves as a deterrent to others, instilling a healthy fear of sin and its consequences. It also reinforces the seriousness with which the church views sin.

The Role of Accountability
Accountability within the church is crucial. It ensures that leaders remain faithful to their calling and that the church remains a place of holiness and truth.

Balancing Justice and Mercy
While public rebuke is necessary, it should be done with the aim of restoration and healing, not merely punishment. The goal is to bring the sinner back into right relationship with God and the community.

The Impact on the Church Community
Addressing sin openly can strengthen the church by promoting transparency and trust. It encourages members to live righteously and hold each other accountable.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from 1 Timothy 5What is auricular confession?How should church members address criticism of their pastor?What does the Bible say about busybodies?What is the biblical perspective on gray hair?

(20) Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.--The Apostle here, apparently, is still referring exclusively to that order of presbyters whose more meritorious members he had directed Timothy to honour with a special honour, and towards whose accused members he instructed him how to act. He now passes to the question how to deal with these responsible officers of the Church when they were proved to be notoriously sinning. While, on the one hand, the earnest and devoted men were to be honoured with "a double honour"--while every possible legal precaution was to be taken in the case of those being accused--on the other hand, when proved to be men continuing in sin and error, their punishment must be as marked as in the other case was the reward. The errors and sins of teachers of the faith are far more dangerous than in those who make up the rank and file of congregations, and require a more severe and more public punishment.

It is not improbable that St. Paul was especially alluding here to false teaching--to errors of doctrine on the part of some of the Ephesian presbyters. He seems, in his parting address at Miletus to the elders (presbyters) of this very Ephesian Church, to have foreseen such a grievous falling away in the future among their company--"Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:30). Compare also the Epistle to this same Church of Ephesus (Revelation 2:4-5). As the sin, whatever has been its nature, has been committed by men intrusted with a responsible and public charge, so the rebuke and punishment must also be in public, that the warning may then spread over the whole of the various congregations composing the Church, and thus "others also may fear."

Verse 20. - Reprove for rebuke, A.V.; in the sight of for before, A.V.; the rest for others, A.V.; be in fear for fear, A.V. Reprove; ἔλεγχε, not ἐπιπλήξῃς, as in ver. 1 (see Matthew 18:15). There, the fault being a private one, the reproof is to be administered in private. But in the case of the sinning presbyter, which is that here intended, Timothy is to reprove the offender "before all," that others also may fear, and may be deterred by their fear from committing a like offence. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

those who
Τοὺς (Tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

persist in sin
ἁμαρτάνοντας (hamartanontas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 264: Perhaps from a and the base of meros; properly, to miss the mark, i.e. to err, especially to sin.

should be rebuked
ἔλεγχε (elenche)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1651: (a) I reprove, rebuke, discipline, (b) I expose, show to be guilty. Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish.

in front of
ἐνώπιον (enōpion)
Preposition
Strong's 1799: Neuter of a compound of en and a derivative of optanomai; in the face of.

everyone,
πάντων (pantōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

others
λοιποὶ (loipoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3062: Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones.

will
ἔχωσιν (echōsin)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

stand in fear [of sin].
φόβον (phobon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5401: (a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect. From a primary phebomai; alarm or fright.

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1 Timothy 5:20 Catholic BibleNT Letters: 1 Timothy 5:20 Those who sin reprove in the sight (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)