1 Timothy 5:17-25 - Honoring Worthy Elders And Dealing With Sinners

¹⁷ The elders who lead [the church] well should be considered deserving of double honor [Note: This probably refers to financial support in addition to the honor of the office], especially those who work hard at [preaching] the word and at teaching it. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says [Deut. 25:4], "You should not put a muzzle on the ox while it tramples over the grain." And [Luke 10:7], "The worker deserves his wages."

¹⁹ Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it comes from two or three witnesses. ²⁰ You should rebuke in front of everyone [in the church] those elders who continue to sin, so that the rest [of the congregation] will be afraid [of sinning]. ²¹ I solemnly urge you, in the presence of God, and Christ Jesus and the elect [i.e, chosen] angels, that you obey these instructions without showing prejudice [toward anyone], or doing anything out of partiality. ²² Do not be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone [i.e., to appoint them to office. See 4:14], and do not participate in the sins of other people. [Note: If Timothy failed to carefully determine the qualifications of a prospective elder before appointing him, it would make him partially responsible for any wrongdoing by that elder]. Keep yourself pure [i.e., of involvement in anyone's sins]. ²³ Do not continue drinking water only, but use a little wine [i.e., for its medicinal value] for your stomach and for your frequent [other] ailments. ²⁴ The sins of some people are evident, preceding them to [the day of] judgment, but the sins of other people follow them there. ²⁵ In the same way, the good deeds [of people] are [also] evident, and even those [deeds] which are not [good] cannot be hidden.