Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Dec 4, 2024 - Doing Nothing from Partiality”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsDoing Nothing from Partiality
Reading: 1 Timothy 5:17-25
Paul has already detailed requirements for men to be elders/overseers (1 Tim 3:1-7); here he gives practical instruction about how the church interacts with its leaders. “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’”(1 Tim 5:17-18). All elders are worthy of honor, but certain men are worthy of “double honor” because they are a key part of the teaching efforts of the church. This involves receiving pay for their work, as Paul’s two Scripture references imply (see 1 Cor 9:9). He also cautions Timothy, “Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses”(1 Tim 5:19). Paul wants respect shown to elders. They deserve honor, the benefit of the doubt, and multiple witnesses to accusations. This is not because elders are above other people, but because these are men whose character the entire congregation has already validated.
But what if the elder is guilty? “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”(1 Tim 5:20-21). Whether elders or not, those who continue in sin need to be rebuked. Paul calls all of heaven to witness his charge that Timothy administer justice fairly. He should “(do) nothing from partiality,” not making assumptions that an elder is automatically right or automatically wrong. Timothy should not be hasty (1 Tim 5:22) and understand that some sins will lie dormant for a time (1 Tim 5:24-25). Yet when all has been said, no one is above God’s law.
Christians respect their leaders. We speak well of them and treat them well. Yet that respect never includes ignoring sin, even in men who have shown godly character in the past. Sin among the people of God must be addressed, even when it manifests in the life of an elder. No one is above God’s law.
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One Thing to Think About: Do I speak respectfully about my leaders?
One Thing to Pray For: Fairness to all parties when accusations are made
