DO NOTHING OUT OF FAVORITISM

Passage: 1 Timothy 5:17-25

Key verse: 21

NIV

17 The elders(A) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,(B) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[a](C) and “The worker deserves his wages.”[b](D) 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder(E) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.(F) 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove(G) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.(H) 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus(I) and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,(J) and do not share in the sins of others.(K) Keep yourself pure.(L)

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine(M) because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 5:18 Deut. 25:4
  2. 1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

17 Let the elders (A)who rule well be considered worthy of (B)double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, (C)“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, (D)“The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except (E)on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, (F)rebuke them in the presence of all, (G)so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels (H)I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, (I)doing nothing from partiality. 22 (J)Do not be hasty in the (K)laying on of hands, nor (L)take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but (M)use a little wine (N)for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and (O)even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Elders are worthy of honor (17-2

)

Shepherds who devote their full time to preaching and teaching have a right to receive material support. The Bible says that even the ox who treads the grain to remove the husks has a right to eat some of the grain. There are always jealous people seeking to find fault with the leaders. If a leader is accused of some sin, we should ignore the accusation unless there are two or three witnesses. However, leaders who betray their trust should be rebuked publicly.

2. Keep yourself pure (21-25)

A leader should be strict with himself and generous with others. He should be impartial in rebuking and impartial in giving help. He is not the final judge. Each person's sin will either go before him or follow after to the place of judgment. Good deeds will also ultimately be known to all. Timothy evidently had a stomach problem, so Paul, not a legalist, admonishes him to take a little medicinal wine.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be strict with myself and generous with others. Help me to have a pure heart and to do nothing out of false motives.

One Word: Don't show favoritism