Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Parallel translations
- WEB Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.
- BSB But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
- 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 1:20Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
- 2 Tim 4:2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
- Deut 13:11And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.
- Titus 1:13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
- Acts 5:11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
- Gal 2:11–14But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
- Acts 5:5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
- Deut 19:20And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
- Deut 21:21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
- Deut 17:13And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
- Acts 19:17And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
- Lev 19:17Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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
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