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.
• 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.
• 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

17The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do 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 charges are you bringing against this man?”
• Acts 24:2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.
• Acts 25:16“I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.
• Deuteronomy 17:6On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
• Deuteronomy 19:15One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
• Matthew 18:16But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
• John 8:17In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.
• 2 Corinthians 13:1This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
• Hebrews 10:28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died 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