Directions as to Accusations Against Elders
T. Croskery 1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Against an elder receive not an accusation, except it be upon two or three witnesses. I. ELDERS MAY BE EXPOSED TO SUCH ACCUSATIONS BY THEIR VERY ZEAL AND FAITHFULNESS. 1. Their duty being to convince the gainsayers and to reprove the faults of men, they would be exposed to the risk of false accusation. Good ministers would be oftener accused if their accusers could but find judges willing to receive their charges. 2. It is the interest of the Church of Christ to maintain the reputation of its ministers unchallenged. It involves a sort of scandal for them to be accused at all, even though they should afterwards be cleared. II. THE COURSE RECOMMENDED IN CASES OF THIS SORT. 1. It diminishes the chances of such charges being made, that the testimony of a single malicious witness will not suffice to have an accusation even formally considered. 2. It would be a serious discouragement to a good minister for such charges to be entertained upon partial or defective evidence. 3. The deference due to the position of a man chosen by the Church as its pastor demanded a wise caution in the reception of charges against him. 4. Yet it was the duty of Timothy to make an investigation supported by adequate evidence. There is nothing in the minister's position to exempt him from a just inquiry and its due consequences. - T.C. Parallel Verses 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.