"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 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. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid."
In todays lesson Paul, in essence, instructed Timothy to lift up the elders in the church and to respect and apply their wisdom. He instructed that sinners should be pointed out for what they had done and that judgment should be publicly be made against them. Paul made it clear that any judgment made against any member of the church be made with an even hand, never preferring one person over another.
This text also makes it apparent that the same type people who cause so much trouble in today's churches were doing the same things even during the time of Paul's ministry.~
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