Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Paul 's Instruction to Timothy

Some commentators believe that only those elders who stubbornly persist in sin after private warnings are to be publicly rebuked and that repentant elders need not be rebuked publicly. This interpretation, how ever, misconstrues the point of the passage. A more accurate interpreta tion recognizes that the contrast is made between elders who are inno cent (v. 19) and elders who sin (v. 20). The elders to be publicly rebuked are those who are found guilty of sin as proven by witnesses (v. 19). The elder’s disposition toward his sin is not the issue here. The issue is: an elder’s sin demands public exposure. Paul gives no consid eration as to whether or not the elder is repentant. The present tense participle should be rendered “the ones who sin,” not “those who con tinue in sin.” The participle describes the “present guilt”35 which has been substantiated by witnesses (v. 19). To add the condition that a one-time-occurrence of sin or the sin of a repentant elder is not to be publicly rebuked is to distort Paul’s instruction. The passage teaches that a proven, public accusation against an elder who has sinned (or is still sinning) must be publicly exposed and rebuked. Furthermore, 1 Timothy 5:20 is not simply an example of Matthew 18:15-17 (Christ’s teaching on discipline) in action. First Timothy 5220 provides additional biblical instruction on church discipline, specifi cally the matter of a church leader’s sin. Of course, if an elder refuses to repent, he would be disfellowshiped from the congregation accord ing to Matthew 18. Paul’s instructions go on to add that an elder who has been proven to be guilty of sin by witnesses is to be rebuked before the church. The imperative verb “rebuke” translates the Greek word elencho, which is a rich term conveying the ideas of “exposing,” “proving guilt, correct ing,” and “reproving.” In this context, “rebuke” includes the ideas of public exposure, correction, and reproof. After Timothy’s departure from Ephesus, the elders would be responsible to rebuke any sinning elders. The context indicates that the sin to which Paul refers is serious. It is “sin” that is the problem, not merely a leadership blunder or minor shortcoming. Witnesses are required to verify the truth of the charges (vv. 19,20) and a public rebuke is demanded, which would not be re quired of minor offenses. Since verse 20 is written in very general terms, Paul’s instruction covers various degrees of sin, circumstances, and consequences. Godly wisdom, counsel, and prayer will guide the local church and its spiritual leaders in implementing this instruction in individual cases. H H

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