How to Discipline an Elder - What is a Church Part 8

1 Timothy 5:19–22 (ESV): 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 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. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

Pray

Disciplined for Holiness. This morning, Lord willing, we are going to wrap up our look at this particular biblical characteristic of a true church. Since early summer we’ve been exploring what the Bible teaches are the proper characteristics of a local church. We’ve been doing that because, in current evangelical circles, there is a great deal of confusion concerning what a church is and if a follower of Christ really needs to be a part of a local church (the visible church), granted that they are already a part of the universal church.

We’ve learned that in order to be a true local church there are 8 characteristics that should be met as quickly as a gathering of saints can put them together. The characteristics that we’ve covered thus far are, a true local church must be:

1) A community of regenerated believers

2) Organized under qualified leadership

3) Regularly gather for preaching and worship

4) Regularly observe the sacraments of Communion and Baptism

5) Demonstrate Unity by the Holy Spirit

6) Disciplined for holiness

As we have considered being disciplined for holiness we have looked at:

How Jesus says we‘re supposed to do that, as He has made clear to us in Matthew 18:15-17. We learned that this is how we are to approach every relationship with others, especially other believers. We also learned that we are not very good at it. In fact, we are terrible at doing this Christ’s way. Instead, we have let our own emotions and human reason take control. We also learned that with out there being community built within the church, the “church discipline” aspect of this is almost worthless.

We’ve looked at How we are to respond when faced with being disciplined for holiness. Our reaction to being confronted with our sin is, perhaps, more critical than how we do the approaching. And…

This morning we are going to look at How to Discipline an Elder for Holiness. Our passage is found in Paul’s first letter to Timothy, Chapter 5.

Historical Context

I want to provide a little context concerning our passage this morning. Context will help us answer the question of why Paul is writing this to Timothy. Remember, Timothy was Paul’s co-laborer. Paul left Timothy in charge of the church of Ephesus… to get them operating in a Biblical manner, establishing proper church leadership, and keeping a sharp look out for false teachers… wolves. The key verse for this letter is 1 Timothy 4:16. Paul says...

1 Timothy 4:16 ESV

16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Throughout this epistle Paul had been advising Timothy concerning both his private life and his public ministry. He was to keep a sharp eye on both, persevering in the instructions Paul had offered in those two realms. Paul’s words are a pointed reminder of the awesome burden of responsibility that congregational leaders carry. Paul had given this same warning to the Elders in the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:28-30)

Acts 20:28–30 ESV

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Paul knew the nature of man, and he urgently warned the leaders in Ephesus, both the elders and Timothy whom Paul had left behind to get this church off to a good start.

You see, when a church leader falls into sin, it always wreaks havoc to the cause of Christ. The more visible and well-known the leader, the greater the harm. Some in the church justify their own sin by thinking, “If that strong leader fell, then who am I to resist?” Divisions arise in the church between those who advocate tolerance and love toward the fallen leader and those labeled as unloving because they call for his removal from public ministry. The world mocks the whole thing and shrugs off the gospel.

So it’s crucial for the church to put godly men into leadership and to make sure that they remain that way. And, if and when a church leader does fall into sin, how do we deal with it properly?

These are the questions Paul answers in our passage this morning. Some of the elders in Ephesus had fallen into false teaching and ungodly conduct, which always goes with false doctrine. Paul doesn’t give a comprehensive answer, but he brings up two crucial safeguards to help keep church leadership godly: First, the proper exercise of church discipline toward sinning elders (5:19-21); and second, the careful selection of elders (5:22-25). He is saying that ...

To keep church leadership godly, elders must be disciplined properly and selected carefully.

Since some in Ephesus had already fallen, and, perhaps, rumors and accusations were circulating about others, Paul deals first with the corrective process of discipline before going on to talk about the preventative steps to take in selection, so that the church will put only godly men into office.

In order to...

1. To Keep Church Leadership Godly, Elders Must Be Disciplined Properly (5:19-21)

A few years ago I found a bottle of “Good for what Ails Ya!” at North 40. It was the nastiest tasting stuff. But if you were starting to get sick, you could take a spoonful or two of it and it would whoop that sickness.

So, as we look into this section of scripture this is just like a strong bottle of “Good for What Ails Ya!”: you don’t want to have to use it, but it’s good to have on hand in case you get sick. I hope we never have to apply these verses in our church, but we had better know that it’s in our “medicine cabinet” in case we ever need it. Amen!

The verses reveal three aspects of proper discipline of church leaders: The need for factual evidence (5:19); the need for public rebuke (5:20); and, the need for impartiality (5:21).

Let’s look more closely at each aspect. First…

A. Proper discipline of church leaders requires factual evidence (5:19).

Let us look again at out text. 1 Timothy 5:19

1 Timothy 5:19 ESV

Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

From this verse we see right away that charges or accusations against a pastor ( or elder… the two are synonymous in the NT) must not be based on unsubstantiated charges.

It really is a simple principle: an accusation or charge against a pastor or elder can only be made on the basis of factual eye witness evidence, not hearsay or rumors, or second-hand information.

Paul specifically applies it to church leaders here because they’re more apt to come under false accusations and slander than others, especially men who preach God’s truth. Satan is always trying to discredit the authority of God’s Word. One method he often uses is to attack the credibility of the man who teaches God’s Word. And here is why this is so prevalent...

If people doubt his integrity, they can easily shrug off his exhortations to godliness. So Satan often stirs up people who have been offended by the preaching of God’s truth. They spread half-truths and outright lies to discredit the man and his message.

Another thing that is important to note here (actually it is just the same as with disciplining a member of the local body)... the witnesses must be just that... witnesses to the same sin… not two or three witnesses that all get together because they each have a separate beef or “concern” with the pastor or elder.

So let me ask you this, what do you do if someone comes to you with something damaging against me or one of the other elders? It’s important to the testimony of Christ that we handle such situations in a godly way. If the person is spreading rumors or gossip, he needs to be corrected. If he has a legitimate problem, it needs to be processed according to Scripture. I want to give you five questions that will be useful:

(1) “What is your reason for telling me?”

Widening the circle of gossip only compounds the problem. Why do I need to know this? If the person says, “I just wanted you to know so you could pray,” then you should caution him not to say anything more to anyone before he checks out the facts and takes biblical steps to deal with it (Matt. 18:15-17; Gal. 6:1). Gossip flatters our pride by giving us “inside” information. But we must resist both the temptation to listen to it and to encourage someone else to give it unless we’re part of the solution.

(2) “Where did you get your information?”

Refusal to identify the source is a sure sign of gossip. Is there more than one independent witness? If not, the accusation should not be received and the accuser should be shown this Scripture and warned about spreading the charges any further.

(3) “Have you gone to those directly involved?”

If the person has not gone to those involved, he is probably more interested in spreading gossip than in helping to restore the one or ones who have sinned.

(4) “Have you personally checked out all the facts?”

It’s easy for “facts” to get distorted as they travel from one person to another or when they’re given by a person with negative motives.

(5) “Can I quote you if I check this out?”

A person spreading gossip won’t want to be quoted by name. They don’t want to get involved in the messy business of helping confront and restore a person in sin. They’re just spreading an evil report.

Can you imagine how much damage can be avoided if we just followed these steps when someone wants to “share a concern” with us? Not only does it put a stop to the gossip, but it encourages the person to follow the commands of Scripture instead of doing it the worldly way.

Ok, so back to verse 19 (1Timothy 5:19)

1 Timothy 5:19 ESV

19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

Now, Paul is citing the OT just as Jesus did in Matthew 18. Paul’s OT text is Deuteronomy 19:15–20 . We’re going to take a look at this passage in the OT because it is going to make what Paul is telling Timothy make a lot of sense. It also will make people stop and think before lobbing a spurious charge at a church leader.

Deuteronomy 19:15–20 ESV

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. 16 If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, 17 then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. 18 The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, 19 then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. 20 And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you.

I want to take just a moment to talk to you about the importance of the OT to our understanding the NT. It is a popular misconception that as NT believers we should not concern ourselves with the Old Testament becuase we now live in the age of grace and under the new covenant, so the teaching of the OT is not as relevant as is the NT. Studying for this series has made it so clear to me how errant this thinking is. What Scripture do you think that Jesus, Paul, and the other NT writers had available to them? Where did they get their understanding of God and God’s commands come from? Yes, the OT. I want to show you a graphic that shows just how much the OT is used in the teaching of the NT. I am taking time to do this here, because both Jesus and Paul get their “disciplining for holiness” directives from the OT. Here it is...

Isn’t it amazing just how much the OT plays into the teaching of the NT. Church we cannot dismiss the OT… it is critical to understanding the teaching of the NT

Now, when you put this OT passage (Deut. 19:15-20) together with what Paul writes to Timothy it all begins to make sense. So, the first need in disciplining an elder is to get factual information. If the charges are true, then there is a second need:

B. Proper discipline of church leaders requires public rebuke (5:20).

Let’s look at the text...

1 Timothy 5:20 ESV

20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

Here is where I really began to have some questions. What does Paul mean when he says, “those who persist in sin”? The rest of the verse is clear… the rebuke of an elder who is sinning is to be rebuked before the whole assembly of the local church, in order that the other elders will stand in fear. The word fear, here, means reverence and awe. They are thus reminded how critical their integrity is to the body of Christ and that sin will not be tolerated. But, the BIG question I had was, “what does Paul mean by “persist” in sin? Is this someone who is unrepentant? Is this someone who, perhaps repents… but then goes right back to sinning in the same way, with no apparent struggle to overcome the sin? I think these are important questions to answer.

It is here that I have to lean heavily on the Greek and the experts who understand Greek.

The Word Biblical Commentary sheds some light...

The linear aspect (of the Greek words here ) guarantees that Paul is discussing an elder living a life of sin, not an elder who commits an occasional sin. The linear aspect of the Greek word “elencho” meaning “rebuke (sternly admonish)” parallels the linear aspect of “hamartano” meaning “to sin”… to violate divine law. [In other words] Be in the habit of confronting those in the habit of sinning.

Knight, in his commentary on the passage says that…

“...the context [of verse 20]… addresses those who were guilty of sin “of a general or public nature” or a private sin where the intervention of others did not lead to repentance (compare Matt 18:15–16). The general principle is that sin among the church leaders should not be covered up but should be publicly rebuked.”

The Lexham Context Commentary interprets this verse this way…

“Those who have a public role and are found guilty of wrongdoing are to be publicly corrected. Paul does not accept quietly “putting aside” these recognized leaders in order to save the reputation of the church. He seems to say the opposite: publicly admonish a church leader to warn others and maintain the reputation of the church.”

The proper translation here is, “Those who are sinning,” meaning, those guilty of the charges who do not repent. Sinning means some clear violation of God’s Word, not just something someone doesn’t like or agree with. I could tell you story after story after story of my own personal experiences in this regard. It happens often… which is why Paul is being really super clear here.

If it is a public sin, such as false teaching on some major issue or a sin that is in public view, then a public rebuke is called for as a first step (as Paul did with Peter, Gal. 2:11.)

But normally the steps of private rebuke (Matt. 18:15-17) need to be followed before any public rebuke is made.

And we must remember that the goal is never to blast the man, but to restore him. If he repents after private rebuke, it may be necessary for a public confession to the church. Depending on the seriousness of the sin, the man may need to step down from his office until he rebuilds a godly reputation.

As our text says, and as the passage in Deuteronomy says, as a result of this public rebuke, the rest will stand in fear (of sinning). This refers specifically to “the rest of the elders,” but it probably also implies “the rest of the congregation,” since the rebuking was done “in the presence of all”.

Public exposure of sin, especially in a church leader, is just the opposite of our human tendency. If a church leader sins, the human inclination is to cover it up quickly and keep it under wraps, or perhaps gossip about it. But to expose it seems like it would damage the reputation of Christ or the church. And so we “hush-hush” the matter.

And here is the crux of the issue church:

If we don’t deal with the matter God’s way, Satan will deal with it his way. It will lead to gossip, slander, divisions, and greater sin in the body. God’s way is to deal with the matter publicly.

There are three values of rebuke before the church:

(1) Public rebuke clears the name of God and His church from association with and toleration of evil.

If a church leader sins and the matter is covered up, there are still going to be leaks. When the leaks spread, people begin thinking that the church tolerates evil. That erodes trust in the message we proclaim and in the holy God we serve. Thus God’s method, even in the case of His servants, is to uncover the sin before everyone. God wants evil exposed so that the world may know that He is apart from all sin and does not tolerate it.

(2) Public rebuke causes others to be fearful of sinning (5:20).

Fear is not necessarily a bad motivator, if it keeps us from sin. Public discipline, especially of a church leader, makes people see the gravity of sin. It causes a healthy fear of God. If people know that church discipline will be administered impartially (5:21), they will be fearful of becoming the object of such rebuke and will avoid sin.

(3) Public rebuke causes the sinner himself to be fearful of sinning again.

No one would want to go through something like that again. If the church is consistent in carrying out discipline, it will act as a deterrent to sin.

Thus, proper discipline of church leaders requires factual evidence and, in some cases, public rebuke. Paul adds a third need for proper discipline:

C. Proper discipline of church leaders requires impartiality (5:21).

We see this in verse 21 (1 Timothy5 21

1 Timothy 5:21 ESV

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.

Church discipline will be effective only if it is applied impartially. Just imagine… If a man of influence (let’s just say the pastor, or the main teaching elder) is shown leniency, while a one of the other elders is treated harshly, much harm will be done to the church.

Paul here invokes a solemn charge to Timothy: “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect (chosen) angels, ...”

Why does Paul lay this heavy charge on Timothy? I think he did it because Timothy, by nature and personality, was a timid soul who loathed confrontation. Thus he would have a tendency to back off from confronting a powerful elder who was in error. But to do so would be to be partial in administering discipline, which undermines the whole process. Thus Paul is saying, in effect, “Timothy, fear God more than any powerful man. Maintain these principles without bias or partiality.”

Thus to keep church leadership godly, elders must be disciplined properly. That is the remedial step which the church is required to take.

Church, in our humanity… in the power of our own flesh and reason… these are difficult instructions. But, in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, and before the angels in heaven… we must do these things for the health and integrity of our church. We must be (I must be) more interested in obeying God and leaving the results up to Him, than to cower under our own fears and natural predisposition.

God’s church must be “Disciplined for Holiness.” It members as well as its leaders!