ELDER EXHORTATION & CORRECTION

1 Timothy 5:17-25

Paul has spent a lot of time instructing Timothy on how to deal with the wolves in sheep’s clothing – all through chapters 1, 2 and the beginning of 4.

He warns that some, despite Timothy’s leadership and teaching will depart from the faith – the enemy will sear the conscience.

Those that don’t depart – those that hold to the teachings – you will need leaders and some of these will lead though Paul was very specific who could be an elder, pastor, who could be a deacon.

He had high standards for those people and now Paul returns to this issue – reminding Timothy that while you may select the best person to be an elder or a deacon – they are human and will sin, will fall short – when they do – what do you do? This is where we pick up today –

Let Us Pray!

Elder Exhortation and Correction

1 Timothy 5:17-25 - Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

I. THE RIGHTEOUSNESS—vv. 17–23

1. Pay—vv. 17–18 – Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

Let elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

What does he mean buy rule well?

Those who live their life by what he said in 3:1-13

Just finished talking about taking care of those in need – they do that

Congregants sometimes feel that pastors only need the appreciation of the Chief Shepherd

Pastors are prone to depression and discouragement – loneliness and isolation – face criticism when they don’t live up to other people’s expectations

Paul realized this is in the 1st century – reminded Timothy that he and others like him not only deserved but were worthy of double honor – especially those who teach and preach.

Why double honor?

James 3:1 – Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

2. Problem—vv. 19–20 – Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

Croft Pentz says - Do not criticize the pastor. Paul says kategoria – do not receive an accusation, a criticism against an elder/pastor except on EVIDENCE of two or three witnesses

Same word used in Titus 1:6 – if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

This is not “I do not like what he said,” – this is evidence – he contradicted Scripture – His sin issue disqualifies him from service

Witnesses must come forward – this is not – a “some people are concerned”

Deuteronomy 17:6 – On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.

Deuteronomy 19:15 – “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.

But …

For those who persist in sin, continue to sin, who are sinning right now –

Rebuke – elegcho – el eng kho – find fault with, convict, call to account, hold accountable, expose

Serves as a warning to others –

So that they phobos – where we get our word phobia – fear – paralyzing fear – will fear to sin, be fearful of sinning,

v19-20 – is 2-fold – Paul highlights the concern Timothy should have for his leaders –

Make sure due process is done – be protective of elders, pastors

If they have sinned – follow what Jesus says

Matthew 5:23-24 – So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Then if he does not listen

Matthew 18:16-17 – But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Protect but not to the point through favoritism or popularity and neither of living a life contrary to the Gospel

Goal is always restoration not punishment (remember 1 Timothy 1)

3. Partiality—v. 21 – In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.

Paul mentioned above – v19 two or three witnesses –

Witness 1 – God

Witness 2 – Jesus Christ

Witness 3 – Elect Angels

With these witnessing what you do – keep what I have written – do not change what has been said – do not change the rules because of someone’s popularity – do not show favoritism to someone to be an elder or towards their sin

I charge you, command (NLT) – strong language – Paul is serious here – the Greek word used here means religiously to charge, to testify, confirm through testifying,

What is he commanding, charging?

Everything in this letter –

Dealing with False Teachers

Establishing Elders

Establishing Deacons

Care of widows

Accountability of Elders and deacons

Also that there is not a hierarchy of sin. Show no partiality toward any sin or anyone.

No nepotism – no selling of office or favors, no bribery, no elevating someone because of their wealth

Roman Empire and law favored the wealthy – like America today – do not follow societal standards – follow God’s

Timothy – elders need to be unifiers – unify under God – favoritism divides

James chapter 2 verses 1-13 deal with the sin of partiality – favoritism

James 2:9 – But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Timothy – Church do not hurry to make someone a deacon, an elder (remember 1 Timothy 3:10 – let them be tested first)

4. Purity—v. 22 – Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

Do not rush to fill leadership positions

Look for men who fit 1 Timothy 3:2-7 – let them be tested

· Above reproach * husband of one wife

· Sober-minded * self-controlled

· Hospitable * Able to teach

· Not a drunkard * not violent, but gentle

· Not quarrelsome * not a lover of money

· Manages his household well * Not a recent convert

· Well thought of by outsiders

To make unqualified men leaders of the church – would be to share in their sin

Take part in the sin – condone their sin –

Paul’s concern is for the integrity of the church, its leaders, and Timothy’s

Paul says keep yourself pure – do not be connected with corruption because it will grab you and drag you down as well

5. Permission—v. 23 – (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)

Paul quickly turns his attention to Timothy’s physical health

Red wine has health benefits – even recent medical studies show this

This verse with others shows that the bible does not prohibit alcohol –

John 2:1-11 – Jesus’ first miracle is turning water into wine

II. THE REWARD—vv. 24–25

1. Sinful deeds—v. 24 – The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.

This section –

· Take care of your elders and teachers

· Be aboveboard with dealing with issues in church – widows, elders and discipling them

· Be careful who you appoint as leaders

· Don’t contaminate your integrity

· Take care of your health as well – you can't lead if you aren’t healthy

Now –

Some sins are apparent now, obvious – some will be revealed latter

Those that appear now – are dealt with – judgement – correct, rebuke –

Those that are hidden – God will reveal and deal with

All sins to be revealed.

2. Spiritual deeds—v. 25 – So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

On the flip side – some good works are apparent, seen, obvious – some are hidden, unseen

But nothing that is hidden is hidden from God – good works or sin

Luke 8:17 – For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.

Luke 12:2-3 – Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

Matthew 10:26 – “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

God will see what we do – even if no one else does

Jesus will see what we do – even if no one else does

If its sin – judgement – if its good works – recognized by God our Father and Jesus our Savior

As we close –

Let elders, pastors especially those who teach – deserve his wage and double honor

Do not let division come into the church –

If an elder, pastor sins – let it be known by evidence of two or three witnesses

Correct the behavior

If they continue – rebuke them in the church

Show no favoritism in laying on of hands – appointing elders, deacons

Show no partiality in sins –

Show no favoritism to those with wealth or status

Command to Timothy to us –

Everything in this letter –

· Dealing with False Teachers

· Establishing Elders

· Establishing Deacons

· Care of widows

· Accountability of Elders and deacons

Be careful of not addressing sin issues – you partake in their sin – their guilt

Take care of your health

Remember what is seen – needs to be dealt with or recognized

What is not seen – will be dealt with by God

Let Us Pray!