1 Timothy 5:17-21

Timothy’s And the Church’s Responsibility Towards the Elders (1 Timothy 5:17-21 ).

Having spoken in depth about the women Paul now turns his attention to the men. He has reversed the order in 1 Timothy 5:1 in chiastic fashion. 1 Timothy 5:1 spoke of the men and then the women. From 1 Timothy 5:2 onwards he has mainly dealt with the women, now he turns his attention to the men. On that basis the word elders here signifies all elder males, so that it then has to be defined because Paul especially has in mind the church elders. If the widows are worthy to be honoured by being treated as part of the family and as mothers in God, the old men and elders are to be so even more. For they should be honoured both for twofold reason, first for being physical heads of their households and then for being spiritual ‘fathers’ to them, and this is especially true of the church elders for they run the church well and labour in the teaching of the word. They too then should be able to benefit from the church’s provision. Nor must any charge be accepted against them unless well witnessed, although if a charge of sin is proved against them then they must be admonished in front of the whole church.

Analysis.

a Let the elders (or ‘older men’) who run things well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and in teaching (1 Timothy 5:17).

b For the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the corn.” And, “The labourer is worthy of his hire” (1 Timothy 5:18).

c Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses (1 Timothy 5:19).

b Those who are sinning reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear (1 Timothy 5:20).

a I charge you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality (1 Timothy 5:21).

Note that in ‘a’ the elders who lead well are to be honoured, and in the parallel the treatment of them is to be carried out as in the sight of God, Christ and the angels. In ‘b’ the worthy are to be provide for, and in the parallel the unworthy are to be rebuked. Centrally in ‘c’ no accusation must be accepted against an elder on a single testimony.