Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Parallel translations
- WEB Don’t receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.
- BSB Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- NKJV Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.
- NASB Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
- NLT Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
An accusation against an elder must not be received except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. This protects leaders from unfounded charges.
Overview
Paul applies the Old Testament standard of multiple witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15) to charges against elders, guarding them from slander and frivolous accusation. Leaders are vulnerable to attack, so due process is required before any charge is entertained. This reflects God's justice, which refuses to condemn on a single, unverified word.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Matt 18:16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
- Deut 19:15One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
- 2 Cor 13:1This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
- Deut 17:6At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
- Titus 1:6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
- Heb 10:28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
- Acts 25:16To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
- Deut 19:18–19And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
- John 8:17It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
- Acts 24:2–13And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
- John 18:29Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
- Acts 11:30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
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Original language
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