Bible > 1 Timothy > Chapter 5 > Verse 19
◄ 1 Timothy 5:19 ►
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.
Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except upon two or three witnesses.
Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
Don't listen to any charge against a church leader, unless at least two or three people bring the same charges.
Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or more witnesses.
Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported "by two or three witnesses."
Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses.
Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.
Do not accept an accusation against an Elder, but upon the mouth of two or three witnesses;
Don't pay attention to an accusation against a spiritual leader unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
Against an elder do not receive an accusation, unless there are two or three witnesses.
Against an elder receive not an accusation, unless before two or three witnesses.
Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses.
Against a priest receive not an accusation, but under two or three witnesses.
Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses.
Never entertain an accusation against an Elder except on the evidence of two of three witnesses.
Don't receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.
Against an elder an accusation receive not, except upon two or three witnesses.
Honoring Elders
…18For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and, "The worker is worthy of his wages." 19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 20But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.…
On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
receive.
Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, …
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Deuteronomy 19:15,18,19
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established…
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
μὴ (mē)
Strong's Greek 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.
παραδέχου (paradechou)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's Greek 3858: To receive, accept, acknowledge. From para and dechomai; to accept near, i.e. Admit or delight in.
an accusation
κατηγορίαν (katēgorian)
Strong's Greek 2724: An accusation, charge. From kategoros; a complaint, i.e. Criminal charge.
Κατὰ (Kata)
an elder,
πρεσβυτέρου (presbyterou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's Greek 4245: Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'.
ἐκτὸς (ektos)
Strong's Greek 1622: From ek; the exterior; figuratively aside from, besides.
on [the testimony of]
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's Greek 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.
ἢ (ē)
Strong's Greek 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.
τριῶν (triōn)
Strong's Greek 5140: Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; 'three'.
witnesses.
μαρτύρων (martyrōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's Greek 3144: A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a 'martyr'.
(19) Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.--By the "elder" here we must understand a presbyter--the ordained minister of the Church. St. Paul has been directing his son in the faith, and successor in the government of the chief Asian Church, carefully to watch for, and to reward by dignity and honour, the services of the more zealous and distinguished presbyters. He now tells him that the other matters, besides zeal and successful service among the Church's professed officers, will come before him when he stands at the helm of the Church. Charges--owing, possibly, to jealousy, party feeling, suspected doctrinal error--will not unfrequently be brought against a presbyter. Such an accusation is only to be received by Timothy when the evidence is perfectly clear. Every possible precaution against simply vexatious charges brought against one occupying the hard and difficult position of a presbyter, must be taken by the presiding minister. The reference is to Deuteronomy 17:6.
Verse 19. - Except at the mouth of for but before, A.V. An elder; here clearly a presbyter, as the context proves. Receive (παραδέχου); give ear to, entertain; as in Acts 22:18, "They will not receive thy testimony." At the mouth of, etc. There is a reference to the law in Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 19:15, and elsewhere (to which our Lord also refers, John 8:17), and St. Paul applies the principle of the law to Timothy's dealings with presbyters who might be accused of not "ruling well." He was not to encourage delatores, secret accusers and defamers, but if any one had a charge to make against a ruler, it was to be done in the presence of witnesses (ἐπί with a genitive). A doubt arises whether" the witnesses" here spoken of were to be witnesses able to support the accusation, or merely witnesses in whose presence the accusation must be made. The juxtaposition of the legal terms κατηγορία and ἐπὶ μαρτύρων favors the strict meaning of μαρτύρων, witnesses able to support the κατηγορία. And, therefore, the direction to Timothy is, "Suffer no man to accuse a presbyter unless he is accompanied by two or three witnesses who are ready to back up the accusation." The italic the mouth of, in the R.V., is not necessary or indeed justified. There is no ellipsis of στόματος. Ἐτὶ δύο ῃ} τριῶν῞ μαρτύρων, "before two or three witnesses," is good classical Greek.
5:17-25 Care must be taken that ministers are maintained. And those who are laborious in this work are worthy of double honour and esteem. It is their just due, as much as the reward of the labourer. The apostle charges Timothy solemnly to guard against partiality. We have great need to watch at all times, that we do not partake of other men's sins. Keep thyself pure, not only from doing the like thyself, but from countenancing it, or any way helping to it in others. The apostle also charges Timothy to take care of his health. As we are not to make our bodies masters, so neither slaves; but to use them so that they may be most helpful to us in the service of God. There are secret, and there are open sins: some men's sins are open before-hand, and going before unto judgment; some they follow after. God will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make known the counsels of all hearts. Looking forward to the judgment-day, let us all attend to our proper offices, whether in higher or lower stations, studying that the name and doctrine of God may never be blasphemed on our account.
1 Timothy 5:19 Commentaries
Accusation Admit Authority Basis Charge Elder Entertain Evidence Except Mouth Receive Statement Three True. Unless Witness Witnesses Word
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Alphabetical: accusation against an basis brought by Do elder entertain except is it not of on or receive the three two unless witnesses
NT Letters: 1 Timothy 5:19 Don't receive an accusation against an elder (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools