English Standard Version
1 Timothy 5:19
19Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.
Context of 1 Timothy 5:19
17Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
Read all of 1 Timothy 51 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 went outside to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?"
- Acts 24:2And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,
- Acts 25:16I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.
- Deuteronomy 17:6On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.
- Deuteronomy 19:15"A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.
- Matthew 18:16But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
- John 8:17In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true.
- 2 Corinthians 13:1This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
- Hebrews 10:28Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence 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
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries