Morning Moments

1 Timothy 5:20 (KJV)
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Gil writes: "This the apostle adds to the above rule, to show that he was far from screening wicked ministers, or elders, guilty of flagitious crimes, and gross enormities: for these words, though they may be applied unto, and may hold good of all offenders, that are members of churches; yet they seem chiefly to regard elders, even such who sin, who continue to sin, who live in sin, in some notorious sin or another; which is evident and known, to the great scandal of religion, and dishonour of the Gospel: and so some read the words, "them that sin before all, rebuke"; not only admonish once and again, but degrade them from their office, and withdraw from them, as from other disorderly persons, and cut them off, and cast them out of the church, and that in a public manner; and so the Arabic version renders it, "before the congregation": which was done only in case of notorious offences: and which rule is observed by the Jews, and runs thus;

"a wise man, an elder in wisdom, and so a prince, or the father of the sanhedrim, that sins, they do not excommunicate him (with Niddui) always בפרהסיא, "publicly", unless he does as Jeroboam the son of Nebat and his companions; but when he sins other sins, they chastise him privately.''

The Scripture is always consistent and never contradicts itself. That being the case, look at the two verses together:

1 Timothy 5:19-20 (KJV)
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

We are led to some interesting questions by the combination and context of these two verses.

1. Are the two verses referring to the "elder" of is only veers 20 referring to him and 21 to everyone?

Verse 19 refers to an "accusation" not an event. This is important because there is one reporting and one receiving. The two witnesses are so that the "accusation" might be established. In other words, the accuser cannot say, "I meant..." or "I did not say..." the words have been established. Context seems to refer primarily to the elder, but certainly not exclusively. The witnesses are for the protection of all parties involved. They may not have personally seen or heard what was done but they are personally witnessing the reporting of it.

2. Are church leaders (elders) never to be rebuked publicly? What if the sin is a continuous action and is "commonly reported" as in the case of the brother (not elder) in 1 Corinthians 5?

In Acts 18:24-28, there is the account of Apollos who was a mighty man of God, but who was limited at that time in his understanding. Aquila and Priscilla, who heard him preach, "took him" (obviously privately) and taught him more perfectly, or gave him a clearer understanding. Specifically, the issue was one of baptism - the baptism of John the Baptist. The issue was not the mode (that was clear from the beginning), but the message. Apollos was walking in all the light he had at the time and God brought him more light through this couple. They "entreated" him; they did not rebuke him.

3. Is the sin "before all" or is it only the "rebuke" that is before all?

AGAIN, Scripture does not conflict or contradict itself, so whether minister or member, if the sin is private, keep it private; but if is public, make the rebuke public (to the church and not to the world). Think of the damage that the Swaggart and Baker and many other such offenses could have been avoided if done God's way, could have avoided. All fail and all can be forgiven and restored, but the more publicly things become, the more damage is done to the Body of Christ.

4. Is no one to correct a pastor (elder) who is guilty of the same sin as any other brother? Is God a respecter of persons?

God is no respecter of persons! What is good for the goose is good for the gander. When the "woman" they brought to Jesus was "taken" in adultery, what became of the man? Jesus rebuked the accusers before all and pardoned the woman. He is always willing to pardon the guilty, but the accusers will not go unrebuked if their motive is not pure and their desire is not for the glory of God and the good of the persons involved.

I can think of a hundred questions we might ask regarding the two verses, but let's look at Biblical illustrations to determine the clear course of action.

In the first place, let me offer this principle: We should always keep the correction of sin within the sphere of the sin. If the sin is one of thought, it is between the believer and God - NO ONE ELSE, so don't be telling your sins of the mind to others, confess them to God and leave it there. This is true of all believers, leaders or not.

Secondly, If another witnesses the transgression, the responsibility is not to tell the church or friends, but to carefully and prayerfully with the Word of God and longsuffering approach the guilty party or parties with the intent of reconciliation. We are NEVER to gossip or tell others what we have seen or heard UNTIL the guilty party or parties are confronted, and if confession is made and true repentance demonstrated, it should go NO FURTHER!

Finally, we may not agree with another (elder or otherwise), AND we may have strong beliefs that differ, but we must be wise and harmless in our disagreements and debates. It was the hypocrites that Jesus publicly rebuked. We must not be hypocrites in our relationship responsibilities, but be pure and patient. We shall be judged in the manner by which we judge others, whether leaders or led.

There is so much more that can be said but not now.

BLESSINGS!