1 Timothy 5:21

Translations

Modern

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.

Traditional

I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

Literal

I earnestly testify before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels that you should keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing according to partiality.

Latin

Testor coram Deo et Christo Jesu, et electis angelis, ut hæc custodias sine præjudicio, nihil faciens in alteram partem declinando.

Original

Greek

English

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.

Notes

1 Timothy 5:21

God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels serve as three witnesses (5:19). These witnesses confirm accusations against leaders who sin (5:20).
Angels represent a connection to God's judgment (Daniel 7:9–10; Matthew 13:49; 25:31, 41; Luke 9:26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7).

1 Timothy 5:19–21

The false teachers may have caused false accusations against Christian leaders. This passage follows the outline of Deuteronomy 19:15–21.
two or three witnesses: See Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1; Hebrews 10:28.

1 Timothy 5:17–25

Elders: In Judaism, community leaders were usually older men who led the wider community. The letters to Timothy acknowledge an office of elders (Greek presbuteroi) called "overseers" (see also 3:1–7). Titus lists both offices (Titus 1:5–9). But the term also refers to older men in the community (as in 1 Timothy 4:14; Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 5:1).

1 Timothy 5:1–6:2

Proper behavior in God's spiritual household involves everyone, including:

the old and young (5:1–2),
widows (5:3–16),
old people (5:17–25), and
slaves (6:1–2a).

Showing respect within the household goes beyond social boundaries.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Angels Church Leaders

Related verses

1 Timothy 6:13
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:
2 Timothy 4:1
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Jude 1:6
And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.
2 Timothy 2:14
Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
1 Thessalonians 5:27
I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
2 Corinthians 5:16
So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
James 2:1–4
My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.
Matthew 25:41
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Psalm 119:34
Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.
Deuteronomy 1:7
Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the foothills, in the Negev, and along the seacoast to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great River Euphrates.
Leviticus 19:15
You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Church Meetings Timothy, First Letter to

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): A Celestial Spirit: Elect Angel (A Spirit): A Celestial Spirit: Have Knowledge of, and Interest In, Earthly Affairs Angel (A Spirit): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Angels are Elect Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of Christian Minister: Charge Delivered To Christian Minister: Duties of Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Election of Good Angels Election of Grace of Good Angels Ministers: should be Impartial Partiality: Forbidden Among Brethren

1 Timothy 5:21

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