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

17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the grain. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

1 Timothy 5:19 word by word

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

• ·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 18:29Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
• Acts 24:2And 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,
• Acts 25:16To 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.
• Deuteronomy 17:6At 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 19:15One 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.
• Matthew 18:16But 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.
• John 8:17It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
• 2 Corinthians 13:1This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
• Hebrews 10:28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under 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