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 lead well are worthy of honor and honorarium—especially those who work hard in the word and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wage.” Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20Correct those who continue sinning in the presence of everyone, so that the rest also may fear. 21I solemnly charge you—before God and Messiah Yeshua and the chosen angels—to observe these things without taking sides, 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 18:29Therefore Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?”
• Acts 24:2When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We are enjoying much peace through you, and reforms are introduced for this nation because of your foresight.
• Acts 25:16I answered them that it is not Roman practice to turn over anyone before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his defense concerning the charges.
• Deuteronomy 17:6By the word of two or three witnesses, the one who is to die is to be put to death. No one is to be put to death by the word of one witness.
• Deuteronomy 19:15A single witness shall not rise up against a person for any offense or sin that he commits. By the word of two or three witnesses is a case to be established.
• Matthew 18:16But if he does not listen, take with you one or two more, so that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand.’
• John 8:17Even in your Torah it is written that the testimony of two men is true.
• 2 Corinthians 13:1This is the third time I am coming to you. “By the testimony of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
• Hebrews 10:28Anyone who rejected the Torah of Moses dies without compassion on the word 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