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19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. ~ 1 Timothy 5:19-21
The church at Ephesus was declining due to its lack of commitment to the Word of God, and, as a result, it had fallen into immorality. Their condition was primarily related to the decline in its leadership. Our ability to reach the world with the Gospel is linked to our commitment to the Lord and His Word. This side of heaven, we will never be perfect, but we can be true to His Word, defined by Him, honest, humble and authentic.
In today's text, the Apostle Paul gives further instruction regarding those who are in leadership roles in the local church. In v.19 we read, "Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses."
When a man qualifies for spiritual leadership, at some point, he has to anticipate that certain people will falsely accuse him to try to ruin his ministry. It is the standard approach of the enemy to discredit the effective leader. Our ministries can be brought to a halt due to no fault of our own, but due to the fault of people who will listen to false accusations.
The word accusation used in v.19 is the Greek word katēgoria which is the word from which we get our English word category. It is the combination of two words, agora which means a meeting place, and kata which means against. So, when combined, it is to say something against a person in a public meeting place or to bring a formal public accusation against a leader. And when someone comes to bring a formal public accusation against an elder, we are not to listen to it, entertain or investigate it.
Now, the only time we ever even entertain an accusation is when it comes to us from two or three confirming witnesses. If a person comes with some kind of accusation against an elder, our first reaction should always be to deny it, unless it is confirmed by two or three trustworthy witnesses.
In v. 20 we read, "But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning."
The Apostle Paul isn't just talking about any sin. We are all sinners, we sin every day. If just any sin disqualifies us, we would all be disqualified. However, there is absolutely no immunity for spiritual leaders who fall into certain sins.
You will remember that in 1 Timothy 3:2 we read, "Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach."
The Apostle instructed us that an elder is qualified as a spiritual leader because he is above reproach and is a one-woman man. And, when the elder doesn’t exercise the self-control to remain faithful to his wife, he is living in sin. He must be confronted for not being faithful to his wife.
In addition, to being unfaithful to his wife, the elder can be disqualified if he becomes a drunkard or he becomes so greedy that he embezzles money from the church or his family is not walking with the Lord. When an elder is found guilty of these particular sins, he is to be "reproved before everyone."
Of course, not all of these "sins" will disqualify him permanently from the ministry, there is a reasonable argument to be made that he should be permanently disqualified if he commits certain sexual sins, becomes an alcoholic and/or embezzles money from the church.
When an accusation has been made and it has been investigated and confirmed by two or three witnesses, he is to be publicly rebuked. The word reprove means to expose, to bring out in the open, to correct, or to rebuke. Once an elder’s guilt is established, he is to be publicly exposed, and his credibility and ministry is possibly forfeited. Of course, the rebuke of his lack of hospitality will look different from the rebuke he would receive for running around with the church secretary.
In v.21 we read, "I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism."
Church discipline usually goes to one of two extremes. Either there is no discipline at all and the church languishes because of its lack of commitment to the truth, or the church becomes legalistic and suffers the lack of spiritual depth because they have violated so many healthy biblical principles.
It is sad when a church member fails and must be disciplined, but it is even more sad when a spiritual leader fails and must be disciplined, for when leaders fall, there is a much greater impact on others in the community.
Having said that, the ultimate biblical purpose of discipline is restoration. Our purpose must be to restore the offender. Our attitude must be one of love and gentleness as seen in Galatians 6. In fact the verb restore that Paul used in Galatians 6:1 means “to reset a broken bone.” Think of the patience and gentleness involved in that procedure!
The Apostle Paul cautions us to to be sure of the facts, and the way to do that is to have two or three credible witnesses. The accused always must have the right to face his accusers in the presence of witnesses. But, when the accused is found guilty, God's goal is the restoration of that brother to Him and the church community.
This does not necessarily mean he will return to the same ministry that he had before. It does mean the church takes God's instructions in this area seriously. It also means this will aid in the restored brother's deepening understanding of His Father's unflinching faithfulness to him as the church is used of God to restore such a one back to Him.
