1 Timothy 5:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Does this mean that an accusation against a young man should be received without witnesses? Or against anyone at all? And should judgments generally be pronounced without examination? What, then, does his statement mean? He says this not about others, but especially about a presbyter. Under the name presbyter he means here not rank, but age, since young men fall more easily than elders.

From this it becomes clear that the Church, or even the whole people of Asia, had already been entrusted to Timothy. Therefore the Apostle speaks with him about presbyters.

Should an accusation be received against a young man, but not against someone else? On the contrary, the Apostle speaks as though saying: against no one, and especially not against a presbyter.

He did not say, do not accuse, but, do not even receive an accusation at all. For by their very age they sin less than young men. Here the Apostle calls presbyter a man who has reached old age.

Since many are accused on suspicion, he says that, according to the ancient law, there must be witnesses who convict the guilty man.

But what if they lie? This rarely happens, and it can be discovered in court. It would be good to have at least two witnesses, because sins are committed secretly.

But what if the sins are manifest, while there are no witnesses, but only an evil reputation? Concerning this the Apostle said above: "He must also have a good testimony from those outside" (1 Tim 3:7).

Do not receive an accusation against a presbyter in secret at all, but only before two or three witnesses.

One should not be credulous concerning an elder, whom his former life and the dignity of his calling defend. But since we are all human and sometimes fall into childish vices, if you wish to correct me in sin, rebuke me openly, but do not gnaw at me in secret.

The Law commands this concerning everyone. For it is said, “By two or three witnesses every word shall be established” (Deut 19:15). All the more must this be done with respect to a presbyter. For it happens that, since the presidency in the Church is entrusted to him, he may grieve some of those who sin. Then they, being hostile toward him for this reason, weave slanders. Therefore this number of witnesses must be presented.

Here again by presbyter he does not mean one clothed with the rank of presbyter, but simply one older in age.

The Apostle says that an accusation must be taken into consideration only in the presence of two or three accusers.

What then? Can a reproach against a young man be received even without witnesses? No. He says that reproach should not be received against a young man either, and much more not against an elder.

If a reproach should not be received against a young man without witnesses, then still less against one older in age. Youth is more easily able to slip into sin, while an elder is restrained from sin by his very old age.

"Do not receive an accusation against a presbyter." Here reproach means a denunciation or accusation.

In the Old Testament (Deut 19:15), even for every accusation, no fewer than two witnesses had to appear. The same rule was observed in the New Testament.

But the Apostle especially desires that it be observed in application to a presbyter, as a person important in the community.

His rebuke must be made as public as possible, of course with the aim that sinning presbyters may be restrained from crimes. The Apostle's following words support this thought: "Those who sin, rebuke before all."

The basis of such a demand lies in the fact that a presbyter must serve all as an example of life.

Here the Apostle commands Timothy to exercise special caution in cases when a denunciation is brought against a presbyter.

The high position of presbyters aroused envy in many. The demand for irreproachable purity of life from them gave many an occasion to discuss and condemn their conduct.

All this was the reason why there were many accusations and denunciations against presbyters. But Timothy was to receive such accusations only when they were confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

A more ready acceptance of them would express disrespect for the rank of presbyter. It would also lower that ministry itself in the eyes of the laity.

It would not hurt sectarians to be more cautious in accusations against the clergy.

This is, first, because presbyters, both by age and by life, are chosen from the most honorable men. Therefore any accusation raised against them appears least likely. Second, by the very kind and character of their pastoral, reproving, and instructive activity, presbyters can most naturally suffer from slander and false accusations. This is especially true of the best and most zealous presbyters.

The Apostle commands that judgment against a presbyter not begin without two or three reliable witnesses, and that the judgment be carried out with great caution. He adjures Timothy before God and the Angels to approach the matter without prejudice and conduct it impartially.

When the accused man is found guilty, the Apostle commands that he be rebuked before all, in order to warn others against falling into similar offenses.

"The Apostle did not say, do not condemn, but, do not even receive an accusation, and do not summon him to judgment at all."

"But when it happens that two or three witnesses appear, to confirm the accusation, then receive that accusation. This was required by the law concerning all (Deut 19:15).

Then the Apostle gives Timothy instructions on how presbyters should be treated. If they perform their duties well, they should deserve double respect from the bishop and all the faithful.

That is, besides the respect usually shown to the rank of presbyter, respect should also be rendered to their own persons and to their beneficial activity for the Church.

As for unworthy presbyters, they should be rebuked before all. Of course, this means before the whole assembly of presbyters, not before all the people, so as not to lower the people's respect for the sacred rank.

And since Timothy was a rather timid man (1 Cor 16:10), and also young, the Apostle adjures him to carry out this command without fail, fearing nothing.

Reproach, κατηγοριαν, means condemnation or accusation. It may also be true, and therefore not blasphemy, which means false reviling of a person.

Our translators rendered this word as reproach, thereby suggesting at once that an evil report against a presbyter should be suspected of falsehood.

On the one hand, it is difficult and unusual for one honored with this rank and at such an age to slip into deeds worthy of condemnation. On the other hand, persons of that order have the duty to correct others.

For this reason they easily become objects of dislike from those being corrected. This dislike compels such people to watch them, suspect them, and often clothe their suspicions in the appearance of certainty.