1 Timothy 5:19, 20 Accused Elders

1 Timothy 5:19, 20 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.

In 1 Timothy 5:19, 20 Paul is dealing with elders accused of sin. First, he urges caution. Just because someone accuses an elder of something we ought not to assume there is anything in it. Rather, it is only if two or three witnesses are willing to bring an accusation that something needs to be done. However, if it found that an elder is guilty of some serious sin then he must not be spared. Rather he is to be reproved publicly before everyone. This is so that the others may take warning. The general rule with elders then is to be slow to receive accusations against them but to rebuke them publicly when it is clear they are in the wrong. Paul says nothing about removing them from office. Presumably each case would have to be judged on its own merits. Paul speaks of Timothy entertaining or not entertaining an accusation and reproving certain ones. Some would see in that authority for episcopal bishops but that is unlikely as otherwise there would need to be some mechanism for them to be dealt with. No doubt what Pauls says to Timothy is intended to inform the church itself.