1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy · Chapter 5

1 Timothy 5:20

1Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.3Honour widows that are widows indeed.4But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.7And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.9Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.11But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.13And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.15For some are already turned aside after Satan.16If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.18For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.21I 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.22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.24Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

This verse sits in Paul's instructions to Timothy about church elders. Elders who lead well deserve honor (5:17-18), and no accusation against an elder should be accepted without two or three witnesses (5:19). Those found sinning are to be rebuked openly, so others take warning. 1 Timothy 5:171 Timothy 5:181 Timothy 5:191 Timothy 5:20

Commonly taken out of context

How it’s often usedQuoted as general permission to publicly call out or shame anyone for any sin.

In contextThe verse belongs to a passage on elders. It comes after a rule that charges must be backed by two or three witnesses, and before a solemn charge to act without partiality. It describes careful, fair church discipline, not quick public accusation. 1 Timothy 5:171 Timothy 5:191 Timothy 5:201 Timothy 5:211 Timothy 5:22

SpeakingPaul the apostle, writing to his co-worker Timothy. Many critical scholars think a follower wrote in Paul's name, while others defend Paul's authorship. 1 Timothy overview

ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul had left to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy overview

Also involvedThose who sin. Coming right after 5:19, this points first to elders proven guilty under the two-or-three-witness rule, though the verse itself does not repeat the word "elder." The "others" are the rest who see the rebuke. 1 Timothy 5:191 Timothy 5:20Strong's G3062

Timothy is told to rebuke those who are sinning in front of everyone. The stated aim is that the rest will also be afraid to sin. The text does not say exactly who "all" includes, whether the whole church or the other elders. 1 Timothy 5:20Strong's G1651Strong's G3956Strong's G5401

The church at Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia. 1 Timothy overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAAegean SeaEphesusLaodiceaMiletusPhilippiThessalonicaCorinth

The eventsThis is standing instruction, not a narrative event. It is guidance for Timothy while he led the Ephesian church after Paul went on to Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview

WrittenTraditional: about AD 62-64, between Paul's two Roman imprisonments. Scholarly: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110, though others defend the earlier date. 1 Timothy overview

HerePaul gives the reason himself: open rebuke is "that others also may fear." This fits the letter's aim of right conduct in God's household. 1 Timothy 5:201 Timothy overview

In the whole of ScriptureScripture often pairs public discipline with a warning effect. Deuteronomy says "all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously" (Deut 17:13), and after Ananias died "great fear came upon all the church" (Acts 5:11). Paul also tells church leaders to "rebuke" so that people may be "sound in the faith" (Titus 1:13). Deuteronomy 17:13Deuteronomy 19:20Acts 5:11Titus 1:13

For readersLeaders are not above correction, but they are also protected from careless charges. Paul immediately warns Timothy to act without partiality and not to rush, because some sins become clear only later. 1 Timothy 5:191 Timothy 5:211 Timothy 5:221 Timothy 5:24

  • rebukeἐλέγχω
    Greek · elegchō · G1651

    The word can mean to convict, to reprove, or to expose. The lexicon lists this verse under "reprove, rebuke." Strong's G1651

  • others (the rest)λοιπός
    Greek · loipos · G3062

    The Greek means "the remaining" or "the rest." It points to the rest of the group who witness the rebuke, not to outsiders. Strong's G3062

  • fearφόβος
    Greek · phobos · G5401

    This is fear or dread, and the lexicon cites this very verse. The goal is a sober warning that keeps others from the same sin, as in the Deuteronomy cross-references. Strong's G5401Deuteronomy 19:20

Takeaway

This verse is about fair, well-supported correction of leaders who sin. It is done openly so the whole church takes sin seriously, and always without favoritism. 1 Timothy 5:191 Timothy 5:201 Timothy 5:21

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.

The world around the text

About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68

    Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16

  • Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s

    Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203

  • Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66

    Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308

  • King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78

    Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23

What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia

    Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31

  2. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea

    Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17

  3. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica's revolt in Britain

    Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39

  4. c. AD 60-62
    The churchPaul under guard in Rome

    Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31

  5. c. AD 61-63
    DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile

    Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181

  6. AD 62
    The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem

    Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13

  7. AD 62 or 63
    DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii

    An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22

  8. c. AD 62
    DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines

    The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35

  9. c. AD 63-64
    BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished

    Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6

  10. July AD 64
    DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome

    Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38

  11. AD 64
    The churchNero blames and kills Christians

    To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2

  12. AD 65
    RulersA plot against Nero fails

    The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17

  13. AD 66
    WarThe Jewish revolt begins

    After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24

  14. AD 66-67
    BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth

    Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24

  15. c. AD 67
    The churchPaul's death in Rome

    In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25

  16. June AD 68
    RulersNero dies

    Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
sinningἁμαρτάνονταςhamartanontasG0264
to sin

ἁμαρτάνω (hamartanō) ἁμαρτάνω (present formed from aor. ἁμαρτεῖν), [in LXX for חָטָא, also for אָשַׁם, רָשַׁע, etc. ;] 1. to miss the mark (Hom., Æsch., al.), hence metaphorically (Hom., al.), to err, do wrong 2. In LXX and NT, to violate God's law, to sin (for non-Christian exx., see MM, VGT, see word): absol., Mat.18:25 27:4, Luk.17:3, Jhn.5:14 8:11 9:2-3 Rom.2:12 3:23 5:12, 14 5:16 6:15, 1Co.7:28 7:36 15:34, Eph.4:26, 1Ti.5:20, Tit.3:11, Heb.3:17 10:26, 1Pe.2:20, 2Pe.2:4 2:4 1Jn.1:10 Jn 2:1 Jn 3:6-9 Jn 5:18; with cogn. accusative, ἁ. ἁμαρτίαν (cf. Exo.32:30, חֲטָאָה חָטָא), 1Jn.5:16; before εἰς, Mat.18:21, Lu …

beforeἐνώπιονenōpionG1799
before

ἐνώπιον (enōpion) ἐνώπιος, -ον (ὤψ), [in LXX for פָּנִים, etc. ;] face to face, in sight (Theocr.; ἄρτοι ἐ., Exo.25:29): neut., ἐνώπιον, in vernacular, with force of prep. with genitive [in LXX for פָּנִים, עַיִן, etc., cf. Dalman, Words, 31 f., 209 f., and Deiss., BS., 213], in NT, most frequently in Lk, Ac, Re, never in Mt, Mk, before, in the presence of: Luk.1:19 Luk.4:7, Act.4:10 Act.6:5, Rev.1:4 2:14, al.; esp. ἐ. Κυρίου (θεοῦ), in the sight of God, or with God as witness or as judge, Rom.14:22, 1Co.1:29, 1Ti.2:3, Jas.4:10, 1Pe.3:4, al. (AS)

allπάντωνpantōnG3956
all

πᾶς (pas) πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν, genitive, παντός, πάσης, παντός, [in LXX chiefly for כֹּל ;] all, every. I. As adj., 1. with subst. anarth., all, every, of every kind: Mat.3:10 4:23, Mrk.9:49, Luk.4:37, Jhn.2:1o, Act.27:20, Rom.7:8, Rev.18:17, al. mult.; pl., all, Act.22:15, Rom.5:12, Heb.1:6, al.; of the highest degree, π. ἐξουσία (προθυμία, χαρά), Mat.28:18, Act.17:11, Phi 2:29, al.; also the whole (though in this sense more frequently with art.), Mat.2:3, Act.2:36, Rom.11:26. …

do rebuke,ἔλεγχε,elegcheG1651
to rebuke

ἐλέγχω (elegchō) ἐλέγχω [in LXX chiefly for יָכַח hi. ;] 1. in Hom., to treat with contempt. 2. to convict: with accusative, Mat.18:15 (RV, show him his fault), Tit.1:9; before περί, Jhn.8:46 16:8, Ju 15; pass., Jas.2:9. 3. to reprove, re­buke: 1Ti.5:20, 2Ti.4:2, Tit.1:13 2:15, Rev.3:19; pass., before περί, Luk.3:19; ὑπό, Heb.12:5 (LXX). 4. to expose: Eph.5:11; pass., Jhn.3:20, 1Co.14:24 (RV reprove, mg. convict), Eph.5:13 (RV, as 1 Co, l.with, of. AR on Eph.5:11; MM, Exp., xii; cf. ἐξ-, δια-κατ-ελέγχομαι).† …

so thatἵναinaG2443
in order that/to

ἵνα (hina) ἵνα, I. adverb (poët., Hom., al.), 1. of place, where, whither. 2. of circumstance, when. II. Conjunction, 1. prop., final, denoting purpose or end (cl.), that, in order that, usually the first word in the clause, but sometimes (cl. also) preceded by an emphatic word (Act.19:4, Rom.11:31 (?), Gal.2:10, al.); (a) with optative (so in cl. after historic tenses): after a pres., Eph.1:17 (but WH, mg., subjc.; see Burton, §225, Rem., 2); …

alsoκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

restλοιποὶloipoiG3062
remaining

λοιπός (loipos) λοιπός, -ή, -όν (λείπω), [in LXX chiefly for יָתַר, also for שְׁאָר, etc. ;] the remaining, the rest, 1. pl., οἱ λ.: with subst., Mat.25:11, Act.2:37, Rom.1:13, al.; absol., Mat.22:6, Mrk.16:13, Luk.24:10, al.; οἱ λ. οἱ (B1., § 47, 8), Act.28:9, 1Th.4:13, Rev.2:24; οἱ λ. τ. ἀνθρώπων (LS, see word, ad. init.), Rev.9:20; τὰ λ., Mrk.4:19, Rev.3:2, al. 2. Neut. sing. (accusative ref.), adverbially, τὸ λ.; …

fearφόβονphobonG5401
fear

φόβος (phobos) φόβος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for יִרְאָה, also for פַּחַד, אֵימָה, etc. ;] 1. in Hom., flight. 2. That which causes flight, fear, dread, terror: Luk.1:12, Act.5:5, 1Ti.5:20. 1Jn.4:18, al.; cogn. accusative, φοβεῖσθαι φ., Mrk.4:41, Luk.2:9; with genitive obj., Jhn.7:13 19:33 20:19, Heb.2:5, 1Pe.3:14 (but cf. ICC, in l);ἀπὸ (τοῦ) φ., Mat.14:26, Luk.21:26; εἰς φ., Rom.8:15; μετὰ φόβου, Mat.28:8; φ. καὶ τρόμος (Lft., Notes, 172), 1Co.2:3, 2Co.7:15, Eph.6:5, Php.2:12; by meton., of that which causes fear, Rom.13:3; of reverential fear, Rom.13:7, 1Pe.1:17 2:18 3:2 3:15; τ. κυρίου, Act.9:31, 2Co. …

may have.ἔχωσιν.¶echōsinG2192
to have/be

ἔχω (echō) ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. I. Trans.; 1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; (a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; (b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; (with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.