1 Timothy 5:17-6:2 Lesson 405

1 Timothy 5:17-6:2
Lesson 405

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

More instructions from Paul.

How to treat elders (church leaders).
Some sins are known, some are not (5:24).
Some good deeds are known, some are not (5:24).

Study Tip:

We tend to read as if we're in a race.
But when you read the Bible, take the time to meditate on each passage.
Let the true meaning of God's word enter you.

The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle To Timothy

The King James Bible

1 Timothy 5:17-6:2A
Elders

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

21 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.

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

1 Timothy 6:1-2A
Slaves

1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.

Margin notes:

"The elders." (4:17) - "The church leaders."

"Especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." (5:17) - "Especially those who work at preaching and teaching."  The Bible calls for church leaders to be supported, encouraged, and valued (Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:4-10; Galatians 6:6).

"Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn." (5:18) - This is an old Hebrew expression quoted from Deuteronomy 25:4 and paraphrased in 1 Corinthians 9:9. It means, just as an ox treading corn must be allowed to eat, and a worker paid for their labor, a minister should be financially supported (Galatians 6:6).

"The labourer is worthy of his reward." (5:18) - This is paraphrased from Jesus (Luke 10:7). Jesus also told us that "the workman is worthy of his meat" (Matthew 10:10).

"Two or three witnesses." (5:19) - The Mosaic Law required at least two witnesses to convict a defendant (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15).  Here, Paul institutes the same standard when accusing church elders.

"Them that sin rebuke before all." (5:20) -"Those (elders) caught in sin should be rebuked in front of the church." Before Christianity, it was a Jewish tradition to rebuke wrongdoers in the synagogue publicly.

"The elect angels." (5:21) - "The chosen angels."

"Doing nothing by partiality." (5:21) - This means show no favoritism.

"Lay hands suddenly on no man." (5:22) - "Don't chose church leaders hastily."

"Neither be partaker of other men's sins." (5:22) - "Don't join others in their sins."

"Keep thyself pure." (5:22) - "Keep yourself free from sin."

"Drink no longer water." (5:23) - In biblical times, it was difficult to find clean water, and drinking tainted water led to illness.

"For thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities." (5:23) - Timothy suffered from gastric and other infirmities, perhaps from drinking bad water.

"Some men's sins are open beforehand." (5:24) - "Some people's sins are known."

"Some men they follow after." (5:24) - "Some people's sins are revealed later" (Revelation 14:13).

"The good works of some are manifest beforehand." (5:25) - "The good deeds of some are revealed early."

"Servants as are under the yoke." (6:1) - "Servants that are in slavery."

"They that have believing masters." (6:2) - "Those who have Christian masters."

"These things teach and exhort." (6:2) - "Teach and encourage these things."

New Living Translation

1 Timothy 5:17-6:2

17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.

18 For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain." And in another place, "Those who work deserve their pay!"

19 Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.

20 Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

21 I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the holy angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone.

22 Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23 Don't drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.

24 Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.

25 In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.

1 Timothy 6:1-6:2

1 All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching.

2 If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers who are well loved.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. Should slaves honor their masters (6:1)

"God pursues us in our restlessness, receives us in our sinfulness, holds us in our brokenness."

(Pastor Scotty Smith from his book, "Objects of His Affection." Published by Howard Books, Brentwood, Tennessee)

Answers: (Do you agree?)

1 According to the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois, page 2420, "In Paul's culture there was a great social and legal gulf separating masters and slaves. But as Christians, masters and slaves became spiritual equals, brothers and sisters in the faith (Galatians 3:28)."

Paul's mission was not to overturn the many social ills that plagued the Roman empire. If it were, Paul would never have found time to spread the word of God. His mission was to teach that faith in Jesus Christ is the only path leading to paradise. We can apply Paul's comments on the master/slave relationship to the employer/employee relationship today.

His comments on the master/slave relationship can be applied today to the employer/employee relationship.

Additional note: "Christianity abolished slavery, not by denouncing it, but by teaching the doctrine of human brotherhood."

By American minister and religious author Henry Hampton Halley (1874-1965).

Application thought for the day:

Even when we think no one has noticed, the good we do will someday be known by all (5:25).

What is the most important truth in this passage?
How can you apply it to your life?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.

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