But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
Parallel translations
- WEB Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.
- KJV Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
- NKJV Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
- NASB Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.
- NLT Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.
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
Elders who persist in sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that others will fear to sin. Accountability protects the whole church.
Overview
When sin by an elder is established, Paul directs public reproof, so the rest of the church takes warning. Leadership carries greater accountability, and unchecked sin among leaders corrupts the body. The aim is not humiliation but the holiness and reverent fear of the congregation, reflecting God's concern for the purity of his people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 1 Tim 1:20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
- 2 Tim 4:2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
- Deut 13:11Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you.
- Titus 1:13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
- Acts 5:11And great fear came over the whole church and all who heard about these events.
- Gal 2:11–14When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned.
- Acts 5:5On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.
- Deut 19:20Then the rest of the people will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything so evil among you.
- Deut 21:21Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. So you must purge the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.
- Deut 17:13Then all the people will hear and be afraid, and will no longer behave arrogantly.
- Acts 19:17This became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and fear came over all of them. So the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.
- Lev 19:17You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
There is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all' — the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.
How 1 Timothy 5:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.