Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.
Parallel translations
- WEB Don’t receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.
- KJV Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before 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.
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 doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at 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 sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established.
- 2 Cor 13:1This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
- Deut 17:6At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death. At the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
- Titus 1:6if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior.
- Heb 10:28A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses.
- Acts 25:16To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
- Deut 19:18–19and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother;
- John 8:17It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid.
- Acts 24:2–13When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight,
- John 18:29Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
- Acts 11:30which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
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Original language
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