Review
In the past month we have been discussing the letter that Paul wrote to his son in the gospel, Timothy, who was now the leader of the church in Ephesus. Paul writes this letter to him to encourage him inthe task of leading that church. He gives Timothy a lot of advice both for the Christians in the church and for himself.
There were some problems there, with some people who were teaching wrong things.
1 Timothy 1:3 (NLT) When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and
stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth.
Paul tells Timothy how to select the elders and deacons. He writes about the roles of men and women during worship.
Paul tells Timothy how to select the elders and deacons. He writes about the roles of men and women during worship.
Last week in chapter 4 Paul's strategy for Timothy starts to emerge clearly. Timothy's mission was to deal with the false teachers. Paul deals directly with the false teachers, focusing on their origin and content. He ends the chapter with how Timothy lives his life is an example that refutes the false teachers and their message.
Introduction
This week in chapter 5 we will see the principles which guide decisions on people in the church at at Ephesus: widows, elders (leaders), and in the first 2 verses of chapter 6 which really fit with the instructions in chapter 5, slaves.
Paul is really telling Timothy how to rebuke certain actions and sins. At one time or another all of us have probably been in a situation in which we felt that someone in our church was sinning. Whether or not we act on the situation and how we communicate to that person has a big effect on the outcome.
Often when we rebuke others about their lifestyles, we come off as being judgmental and self-righteous. When Paul tells Timothy about specific persons and groups he needed to confront about certain issues, he is careful to show how to do so in love. Paul's teaching here gives us valuable guidance on being both direct and loving with our brothers and sisters.
Advice About Widows, Elders and Slaves
Before we get into the scripture let's start with a couple of questions.
1. What groups of people are treated with special favor in our society today?
2. Whose responsibility is it to care for the needy?
Commensurate with the business community.i.e. If they church has a budget of several million dollars and a large staff then the pastor’s salary should be similar to a CEO or manager in a private organization or government agency or non-profit. They have similar responsibilities for providing services, supervision of staff, fiduciary responsibility of assets.
- Elderly
- Handicapped
- Veterans
- Women
- Children
2. Whose responsibility is it to care for the needy?
- The wealthy
- Government
- Church
- Family
Commensurate with the business community.i.e. If they church has a budget of several million dollars and a large staff then the pastor’s salary should be similar to a CEO or manager in a private organization or government agency or non-profit. They have similar responsibilities for providing services, supervision of staff, fiduciary responsibility of assets.
Now lets read the entire chapter it's a short one.
4. How should believers treat older men, younger men, older women, and younger women?
1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NKJV)1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,2 older women as mothers, younger as sisters, with all purity.
Timothy has a duty to teach the local church members what is true and right. He has to show them how they should live as Christians. He has to order the false teachers to stop doing it. He has to correct those who do not obey. And he has to correct those who do not live in a good way. He must be gentle and kind but firm with them all.
Where he needs to correct an older man, he should respect him like a father. He must not be strict and severe with him. Rather, he should appeal to him. And he should urge him to change and to do what is right.
Timothy must think of the younger men as his own brothers. He must not think of himself as better than them. But he should see them as brothers in the family of God. He should talk to them and encourage them to trust in the Lord. And he should encourage them to live as they should.
He should be as gentle to the older women as he would be to his own mother.
The younger women should be as his sisters. He must be most careful when he deals with these. He must be sure that his thoughts and actions are morally good.
5. To whom did Paul tell Timothy to give proper recognition?
1 Timothy 5:3 (NKJV) Honor widows who are really widows.
Honour them. There was in those times an office in the church in which widows took care of and looked after the sick and elderly under the direction of the deacons. Early on in the church we read about widows being cared for when the Greeks thought their widows were neglected.
Acts 6:1-3 (NKJV)1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
4. How should believers treat older men, younger men, older women, and younger women?
1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NKJV)1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,2 older women as mothers, younger as sisters, with all purity.
Timothy has a duty to teach the local church members what is true and right. He has to show them how they should live as Christians. He has to order the false teachers to stop doing it. He has to correct those who do not obey. And he has to correct those who do not live in a good way. He must be gentle and kind but firm with them all.
Where he needs to correct an older man, he should respect him like a father. He must not be strict and severe with him. Rather, he should appeal to him. And he should urge him to change and to do what is right.
Timothy must think of the younger men as his own brothers. He must not think of himself as better than them. But he should see them as brothers in the family of God. He should talk to them and encourage them to trust in the Lord. And he should encourage them to live as they should.
He should be as gentle to the older women as he would be to his own mother.
The younger women should be as his sisters. He must be most careful when he deals with these. He must be sure that his thoughts and actions are morally good.
5. To whom did Paul tell Timothy to give proper recognition?
1 Timothy 5:3 (NKJV) Honor widows who are really widows.
Honour them. There was in those times an office in the church in which widows took care of and looked after the sick and elderly under the direction of the deacons. Early on in the church we read about widows being cared for when the Greeks thought their widows were neglected.
Acts 6:1-3 (NKJV)1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
The general rule is to honour widows who were pious and devout, and not wanton widows that lived in pleasure. Paul talks about those widows who were not and why later.
Paul makes a distinction between those who have no one to help them and those who have. The church should provide for those who have no support or family to support them
6. What should the children and grandchildren of a widow do?
6. What should the children and grandchildren of a widow do?
1 Timothy 5:4 (NKJV) But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.
We could extend this to nieces and nephews and maybe even cousins if the cousins were raised in the homes of the widows. They are responsible for this care and they should not expect the church to do it.
They have a debt that they owe to their parents. The support that they give is only what is due to the widow. The support of the widow is some payment for what she has given in the past. Paul says that it pleases God when they do it.
7. What does the widow who is really in need and left alone do?
1 Timothy 5:5 (NKJV) Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
A widow who is alone has no family to look after her. Her only hope for this life and the next is in God. She trusts God to take care of her and to provide all that she needs.
Here is a description of the true widow, who serves the church and be cared for by the church if she has no family to take care of her.
Luke 2:36-37 (NKJV)36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
8. What is true about the widow who lives for pleasure?
1 Timothy 5:6 (NKJV) But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
In contrast with the widow who trusts in God, Paul speaks about another one. This one does not trust in God or help others. She lives only to please herself in the present. She has no thought for the future. The church has no duty to support her.
The term that Paul uses for lives in pleasure occurs only here and in Jas 5:5 and means indulgent living, which indicates a state of spiritual death.
James 5:5 (NKJV) You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
This is the kind of life that Paul says these widows live so the church shouldn’t help and care for them.
9. Why did Paul tell Timothy to give these instructions?
1 Timothy 5:7 (NKJV) And these things command, that they may be blameless.
Paul is referring to the families of widows Timothy should tell the relatives to look after their widows. If they do this, no one can blame them. They are doing what is good and right.
10. Why is it important to provide for your family?
1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV) But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Paul says that failure to provide is a denial of faith.
If any men or women do not maintain their own poor relations who belong to them, they do in effect deny the faith; for the design of Christ was to confirm the law of Moses, and particularly the law of the fifth commandment, which is, Honour thy father and mother; so that those deny the faith who disobey that law, much more if they provide not for their wives and children, who are parts of themselves; if they spend that upon their lusts which should maintain their families, they have denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers. This truth can also be applied to parents who do not care for or support their children.
11. How did a widow qualify for help of the church in Ephesus?
1 Timothy 5:9-10 (NKJV)9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
1 Timothy 5:11 (NKJV) But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
To be on the list carries with it a promise to serve Christ in the church in some way. This means that those on the list are not free to marry. It is quite likely that at some time a young widow will want to marry again. If she were on the list, her marriage would break the promise that she had made to Christ. She would not then be loyal to him because she had promised to give herself to serve him.
There may be another reason also.
They have a debt that they owe to their parents. The support that they give is only what is due to the widow. The support of the widow is some payment for what she has given in the past. Paul says that it pleases God when they do it.
7. What does the widow who is really in need and left alone do?
1 Timothy 5:5 (NKJV) Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
A widow who is alone has no family to look after her. Her only hope for this life and the next is in God. She trusts God to take care of her and to provide all that she needs.
Here is a description of the true widow, who serves the church and be cared for by the church if she has no family to take care of her.
Luke 2:36-37 (NKJV)36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
8. What is true about the widow who lives for pleasure?
1 Timothy 5:6 (NKJV) But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
In contrast with the widow who trusts in God, Paul speaks about another one. This one does not trust in God or help others. She lives only to please herself in the present. She has no thought for the future. The church has no duty to support her.
The term that Paul uses for lives in pleasure occurs only here and in Jas 5:5 and means indulgent living, which indicates a state of spiritual death.
James 5:5 (NKJV) You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
This is the kind of life that Paul says these widows live so the church shouldn’t help and care for them.
9. Why did Paul tell Timothy to give these instructions?
1 Timothy 5:7 (NKJV) And these things command, that they may be blameless.
Paul is referring to the families of widows Timothy should tell the relatives to look after their widows. If they do this, no one can blame them. They are doing what is good and right.
10. Why is it important to provide for your family?
1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV) But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Paul says that failure to provide is a denial of faith.
If any men or women do not maintain their own poor relations who belong to them, they do in effect deny the faith; for the design of Christ was to confirm the law of Moses, and particularly the law of the fifth commandment, which is, Honour thy father and mother; so that those deny the faith who disobey that law, much more if they provide not for their wives and children, who are parts of themselves; if they spend that upon their lusts which should maintain their families, they have denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers. This truth can also be applied to parents who do not care for or support their children.
11. How did a widow qualify for help of the church in Ephesus?
1 Timothy 5:9-10 (NKJV)9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
- She must be 60 or more.She must have been living with and loyal to her husband while he was alive.
- She must have a good character and have done good works. Those good works include; that she looked after children,
- When travelers came to the church or to her house she made them welcome.
- When anybody was in trouble, she was there to give what help she could.
1 Timothy 5:11 (NKJV) But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
To be on the list carries with it a promise to serve Christ in the church in some way. This means that those on the list are not free to marry. It is quite likely that at some time a young widow will want to marry again. If she were on the list, her marriage would break the promise that she had made to Christ. She would not then be loyal to him because she had promised to give herself to serve him.
There may be another reason also.
This is what’s in the Wycliffe Bible Commentary on this verse:
The term Wax wanton occurs only here and in Rev 18:7 where it says;
Revelation 18:7 (NKJV) In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.'
Such conduct is incompatible with salvation and would suggest that Paul does not consider these "widows indeed." The idea of widowhood may have a wider application than actual bereavement; it may mean separation from a husband. For OT background, see 2 Sam 20:3
2 Samuel 20:3 (NKJV) Now David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten women, his concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in seclusion and supported them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.
and Isa 54:4-6.
Isaiah 54:4-6 (NKJV)4 "Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.5 For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.6 For the LORD has called you Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, Like a youthful wife when you were refused," Says your God.
Israel is a rejected, adulterous wife and widow because of separation, not because of the death of the husband. Hence these women, who are further described as having set aside their first pledge (faith, promise, )(v.12)
1 Timothy 5:12 (NKJV) having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.
If a widow is not on the list she can get married. Paul says that it would be a good thing if they did get married.
1 Timothy 5:14 (NKJV) Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1 Timothy 5:15 (NKJV) For some have already turned aside after Satan.
So some of these that Paul is referring to as widows may actually be unfaithful wives who have been divorced.
All of what I just read is conjecture and the most probable thing may be that the young widow first thoughts my not always be of the church and Christ and the may burn with passion and if so they should be married and not on the list of widows to be helped by the church.
13. To what habits may younger widows fall prey?
1 Timothy 5:13 (NKJV) And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.
Today we would call Paul a male chauvinist but before you get too excited in the time when Paul wrote, most of the women had no education and no jobs. They were supposed to marry, have children and keep the home. When the husband died and the children had left home, they did not have much to do. There was the danger that these women would be lazy. Worse still, they might waste their time and that of other women. They would go from house to house. They would spend their time talking to each other. They would gossip about other people. And they would talk about things that they should not talk about. They would get involved in affairs that had nothing to do with them.
14. Why did Paul encourage Christian women to care for the widows in their families?
1 Timothy 5:16 (NKJV) If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
First of all most of the oldest manuscripts and many translations do not include the word man. So this is the duty of the believing or Christian woman relative of the widow. We have no idea why Paul says woman and not man but he does. The principle however applies to men and women. Go back to verse 8. Paul is again emphasizing the fact that believers should take care of their families and not put that burden on the church because there are some who do not have families that can care for them.
1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV) But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
These women may themselves be widows but have the means to give support. They may be daughters or daughters in law of the widows. They could be sisters or mothers to the widows. It doesn't matter what the relationship is they should look after them. It would be wrong to leave the support of these widows to the church.
15. Paul now moves to instructing Timothy on how to deal with the elders. Of what is the elder who directs the affairs of the church worthy? (Today these people would be those in full time ministry)
1 Timothy 5:17 (NKJV) Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
Paul says these men should be given double honor.
Double honor. Honor has two meanings:
"Honor" and "honorarium" or "compensation." Both meanings are doubtless intended here. In the case of those who labor in preaching and teaching, full time, and they are deserving of compensation from the church
1 Timothy 5:18 (NKJV) For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
There are actually two quotes in verse 18 that describe the principle of compensation the first “muzzle the ox” is from
Deuteronomy 25:4 (NKJV) "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.
The other “laborer is worthy of his wages” is from
Luke 10:7 (NKJV) And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.
16. How should accusations against an elder be handled?
1 Timothy 5:19 (NKJV) Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.
Paul has just said that elders who rule well are do double honor so any accusation against them must be handled carefully. Paul warns Timothy not to act on it. He should not accept it as true. But if two or three persons say that it is true, he must think about it. Timothy must decide whether they are right or not.
The rule of evidence given by Moses
Deuteronomy 19:15 (NKJV) "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.
Used by the Lord when talking about how to deal with a brother who sins against you
Matthew 18:16 (NKJV) But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'
17. Why should those elders who sin be rebuked publicly?
1 Timothy 5:20 (NKJV) Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
If the bad report is true, Timothy must act on it. He must bring the sin of the elders to the whole church. Paul is eager that the sins of elders are not hidden. They should be dealt with in public. The purpose of this is to act as a warning to the other elders. The result should be that they and the members would be more careful not to sin. They would be afraid of such shame in public.
18. How did Paul encouraged Timothy to keep these instructions?
1 Timothy 5:21 (NKJV) I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
He’s talking about all of the things that he has mentioned in the verses about accusations against elders or leaders. The instructions on how to deal with them must be without prejudice or partiality.
To emphasize how important this is Paul warns him in a most serious manner. He says that God, the Lord Jesus and the angels are there to see that Timothy does obey. There must be two or three people who accuse an elder. Then Timothy must look at the facts. He must not act on his own opinions. He must search for what is true. He must not act from prejudice.
The term Wax wanton occurs only here and in Rev 18:7 where it says;
Revelation 18:7 (NKJV) In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.'
Such conduct is incompatible with salvation and would suggest that Paul does not consider these "widows indeed." The idea of widowhood may have a wider application than actual bereavement; it may mean separation from a husband. For OT background, see 2 Sam 20:3
2 Samuel 20:3 (NKJV) Now David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten women, his concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in seclusion and supported them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.
and Isa 54:4-6.
Isaiah 54:4-6 (NKJV)4 "Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.5 For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.6 For the LORD has called you Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, Like a youthful wife when you were refused," Says your God.
Israel is a rejected, adulterous wife and widow because of separation, not because of the death of the husband. Hence these women, who are further described as having set aside their first pledge (faith, promise, )(v.12)
1 Timothy 5:12 (NKJV) having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.
If a widow is not on the list she can get married. Paul says that it would be a good thing if they did get married.
1 Timothy 5:14 (NKJV) Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1 Timothy 5:15 (NKJV) For some have already turned aside after Satan.
So some of these that Paul is referring to as widows may actually be unfaithful wives who have been divorced.
All of what I just read is conjecture and the most probable thing may be that the young widow first thoughts my not always be of the church and Christ and the may burn with passion and if so they should be married and not on the list of widows to be helped by the church.
13. To what habits may younger widows fall prey?
1 Timothy 5:13 (NKJV) And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.
Today we would call Paul a male chauvinist but before you get too excited in the time when Paul wrote, most of the women had no education and no jobs. They were supposed to marry, have children and keep the home. When the husband died and the children had left home, they did not have much to do. There was the danger that these women would be lazy. Worse still, they might waste their time and that of other women. They would go from house to house. They would spend their time talking to each other. They would gossip about other people. And they would talk about things that they should not talk about. They would get involved in affairs that had nothing to do with them.
14. Why did Paul encourage Christian women to care for the widows in their families?
1 Timothy 5:16 (NKJV) If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
First of all most of the oldest manuscripts and many translations do not include the word man. So this is the duty of the believing or Christian woman relative of the widow. We have no idea why Paul says woman and not man but he does. The principle however applies to men and women. Go back to verse 8. Paul is again emphasizing the fact that believers should take care of their families and not put that burden on the church because there are some who do not have families that can care for them.
1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV) But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
These women may themselves be widows but have the means to give support. They may be daughters or daughters in law of the widows. They could be sisters or mothers to the widows. It doesn't matter what the relationship is they should look after them. It would be wrong to leave the support of these widows to the church.
15. Paul now moves to instructing Timothy on how to deal with the elders. Of what is the elder who directs the affairs of the church worthy? (Today these people would be those in full time ministry)
1 Timothy 5:17 (NKJV) Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
Paul says these men should be given double honor.
Double honor. Honor has two meanings:
"Honor" and "honorarium" or "compensation." Both meanings are doubtless intended here. In the case of those who labor in preaching and teaching, full time, and they are deserving of compensation from the church
1 Timothy 5:18 (NKJV) For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
There are actually two quotes in verse 18 that describe the principle of compensation the first “muzzle the ox” is from
Deuteronomy 25:4 (NKJV) "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.
The other “laborer is worthy of his wages” is from
Luke 10:7 (NKJV) And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.
16. How should accusations against an elder be handled?
1 Timothy 5:19 (NKJV) Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.
Paul has just said that elders who rule well are do double honor so any accusation against them must be handled carefully. Paul warns Timothy not to act on it. He should not accept it as true. But if two or three persons say that it is true, he must think about it. Timothy must decide whether they are right or not.
The rule of evidence given by Moses
Deuteronomy 19:15 (NKJV) "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.
Used by the Lord when talking about how to deal with a brother who sins against you
Matthew 18:16 (NKJV) But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'
17. Why should those elders who sin be rebuked publicly?
1 Timothy 5:20 (NKJV) Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
If the bad report is true, Timothy must act on it. He must bring the sin of the elders to the whole church. Paul is eager that the sins of elders are not hidden. They should be dealt with in public. The purpose of this is to act as a warning to the other elders. The result should be that they and the members would be more careful not to sin. They would be afraid of such shame in public.
18. How did Paul encouraged Timothy to keep these instructions?
1 Timothy 5:21 (NKJV) I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
He’s talking about all of the things that he has mentioned in the verses about accusations against elders or leaders. The instructions on how to deal with them must be without prejudice or partiality.
To emphasize how important this is Paul warns him in a most serious manner. He says that God, the Lord Jesus and the angels are there to see that Timothy does obey. There must be two or three people who accuse an elder. Then Timothy must look at the facts. He must not act on his own opinions. He must search for what is true. He must not act from prejudice.
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