1 Timothy 5:19

Elder. See on v. 17.

Receive not. In view of the ensuing damage to a Christian leader’s reputation by any accusation, whether valid or not, Timothy was not even to give audience to any accuser unless he could bring “two or three witnesses” with him to vouch for his accusation. Paul does not urge favoritism of any kind for those in office who do wrong. He simply desires to protect faithful leaders from some who may wish to depreciate their influence by calumny.

But. Or, “except.”

Witnesses. That is, when the accused member is brought to trial before a recognized tribunal his opponents must have “two or three witnesses” to substantiate the charge. Jewish practice protected the individual from reckless, malicious accusations (see on Deut. 17:6; 19:15). The NT church adopted this Jewish custom of protection for the individual (see on Matt. 18:16). However, in regard to a church “elder,” Paul recommends avoiding even a public hearing if the accuser, at the time of the original accusation, could not produce “two or three witnesses” of reputable integrity.