Explore the Bible Online

1 Timothy 5:21

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

1 Timothy 5:21 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:21

Theological / Devotional

Charge. Or, “testify earnestly.”

God, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Some believe that the Greek implies the oneness of the Beings here referred to. The divinity of Christ would thus be emphasized (see on John 1:1–3; Titus 2:14). All thoughts and deeds stand in full view before the God of heaven.

Without preferring. Church decisions growing out of the investigation of sin, especially among elders (vs. 19, 20), must not be to please men but to satisfy the justice of God. Difficult as it always is, no church leader should allow either friendship or enmity to affect a just investigation into charges of sin. If the ministry fail in respect to personal virtue and integrity, what can be expected of the laity?

Partiality. Young ministers such as Timothy sometimes face the difficult problem of correcting those who are older than themselves. This duty, plus the young minister’s natural desire to be accepted and well liked, increases the soundness and pertinency of Paul’s admonition against prejudgment and partiality. The decisions of church leaders must not be made with the intent of seeking favors from the strong or wealthy. Regardless of personal friendships, justice must ever prevail.

By SdaBc