Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Paul’s Instruction to Timothy

immunity. So Paul adds the condition, “except on the basis [on the evidence of] of two or three witnesses.” This means that an accusation brought by two or three people who have witnessed the sin, or by two or three people who have verified another’s accusation, must be inves tigated and properly judged. George Knight aptly explains this condi tion: In effect, Paul is urging Timothy to follow. . .Matthew 18 and the OT. before the church accepts or acknowledges as correct an accusation against an elder. The process may consist of two or three witnesses bringing an accusation, but normally it would consist of two or three witnesses verifying an accusation that may come from only one individual before it is considered further.34 The legal principle on which this directive is based is Deuteronomy 192152 “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed” (Deut. 19215; cf. John 8217; Deut. 1726; Heb. 10228). An accusation of sin that is sub stantiated by witnesses must be heard; it cannot be brushed aside. As unpleasant and time-consuming as a fair investigation into an accusa tion might be, it must be done. Sin must not be hidden, nor can an innocent person remain falsely accused. How should an elder be treated if an accusation of sin is found to be true? Verse 20 provides the answer: “Those who continue in sin, re buke in the presence of all.” Some expositors think that verse 20 be gins a new subject regarding the treatment of sinners in general, but this view is incorrect. Such a break in thought would be too abrupt and unexpected. Furthermore, it is clear that verses 19-25 deal with the topic of elders, particularly the sin of elders. The clause, “those who continue in sin,” translates a present active participle (tous hamartanontas). The New American Standard Bible rendering stresses the persistent nature of the sinning. There is dis agreement among commentators, however, as to what is implied by this present tense participle. DISCIPLINING AN ELDER

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