1 Timothy 5:19
17 Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
20 But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- KJV
- Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
- WEB
- Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses.
- ASV
- Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at [the mouth of] two or three witnesses.
- DARBY
- Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses.
- BLB
- Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except upon two or three witnesses.
- ÅB
- Ta ikke imot noen klage mot en eldste uten etter to eller tre vitner.
- OTB
- Ikke ta imot en anklage mot en eldste med mindre den er bekreftet av to eller tre vitner.
- B1930
- Ta ikke imot nogen klage mot en eldste uten efter to eller tre vidner.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Matthew 18:16
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
Read in contextDeuteronomy 19:15
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Read in context2 Corinthians 13:1
This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
Read in contextTitus 1:6
An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 17:6
On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.
Read in contextHebrews 10:28
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Read in contextActs 25:16
I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.
Read in contextJohn 8:17
Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.
Read in context