1 Timothy 5:19

1 Timothy 5:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
• New International Version (NIV)Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

Context of 1 Timothy 5:19

17The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ]. 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain [to keep it from eating],” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages [he deserves fair compensation].” Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is based on [the testimony of at least] two or three witnesses. 20As for those [elders] who continue in sin, reprimand them in the presence of all [the congregation], so that the rest will be warned. 21I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels that you guard and keep these rules without bias, doing nothing out of favoritism.

1 Timothy 5:19 word by word

κατὰ πρεσβυτέρου κατηγορίαν μὴ παραδέχου ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ ἐπὶ δύο ἢ τριῶν μαρτύρων.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·μήmē · notG3361
• ·εἰei · if: notG1487
• Againstκατάkata · according toG2596
• an elderπρεσβύτεροςpresbuteros · elder (leader)G4245
• receiveπαραδέχομαιparadechomai · to welcomeG3858
• an accusationκατηγορίαkatēgoria · accusationG2724
• butἐκτόςektos · outside/exceptG1622
• beforeἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• twoδύοduo · twoG1417
• orἤē · orG2228
• threeτρεῖςtreis tria · ThreeG5140
• witnessesμάρτυςmartus · witnessG3144

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 5:19

• John 18:29So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”
• Acts 24:2After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began the complaint [against him], saying to the governor: “Since through you we have attained great peace, and since by your foresight reforms are being carried out for this nation,
• Acts 25:16I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man [for punishment] before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has the opportunity to defend himself against the charges.
• Deuteronomy 17:6On the evidence of two or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of [only] one witness.
• Deuteronomy 19:15“A single witness shall not appear in a trial against a man for any wrong or any sin which he has committed; [only] on the testimony or evidence of two or three witnesses shall a charge be confirmed.
• Matthew 18:16But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two others, so that every word may be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
• John 8:17Even in your own law it is written that the testimony of two persons is true [valid and admissible].
• 2 Corinthians 13:1This is the third time that I am visiting you. Every fact shall be sustained and confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
• Hebrews 10:28Anyone who has ignored and set aside the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5:19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19Against an elder - Be very cautious of receiving evil reports against those whose business it is to preach to others, and correct their vices. Do not consider an elder as guilty of any alleged crime, unless it be proved by two or three witnesses. This the law of Moses required in respect to all. Among the Romans, a plebeian might be condemned on the deposition of one credible witness; but it required two to convict a senator. The reason of this difference…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19Against an elder - The word “elder” here seems to be used in the sense in which it is in the previous verse as relating to “office,” and not in the sense of an aged man, as in 1 Timothy 5:1. The connection demands this interpretation. Receive not an accusation - He was not to regard such a charge as well founded unless sustained by two or three witnesses. It is clear from this, that Paul supposed that Timothy would be called on to hear charges against…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-25Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-21The false teachers may have caused false accusations against Christian leaders. This passage follows the outline of Deuteronomy 19:15–21. two or three witnesses: See Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1; Hebrews 10:28.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. Against an elder--a presbyter of the Church. receive not--"entertain not" [Alford]. but before two or three witnesses--A judicial conviction was not permitted in De 17:6; 19:15, except on the testimony of at least two or three witnesses (compare Mt 18:16; Joh 8:17; 2Co 13:1; 1Jo 5:6, 7). But Timothy's entertaining an accusation against anyone is a different case, where the object was not judicially to punish, but to admonish: here he might ordinarily…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 5:19

• Church
• Commandments
• Elder
• Minister, Christian
• Witness

In the dictionaries

• Beforehand
• Deny
• Guide
• Marry
• Martyr
• Reproachfully
• Requite
• Reward
• Bishop
• Judge

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings