Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.
Parallel translations
- KJV Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may 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 delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
- 2 Tim 4:2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
- Deut 13:11All Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall not do any more wickedness like this among you.
- Titus 1:13This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
- Acts 5:11Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.
- Gal 2:11–14But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned.
- Acts 5:5Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things.
- Deut 19:20Those who remain shall hear, and fear, and will never again commit any such evil among you.
- Deut 21:21All the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall remove the evil from among you. All Israel shall hear, and fear.
- Deut 17:13All the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
- Acts 19:17This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
- Lev 19:17“‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
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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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