1 Timothy 5:17–20

5:17 Elders who provide effective leadership29 must be counted worthy30 of double honor,31 especially those who work hard in speaking32 and teaching. 5:18 For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”33 and, “The worker deserves his pay.”34 5:19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses.35 5:20 Those guilty of sin36 must be rebuked37 before all,38 as a warning to the rest.39

29	tn Grk “who lead well.”
30	tn Or “deserving.”
31	tn Like the similar use of “honor” in v. 3, this phrase denotes both respect and remuneration: “honor plus honorarium.”
32	tn Or “in preaching”; Grk “in word.”
33	sn A quotation from Deut 25:4.
34	sn A quotation from Luke 10:7.
35	sn An allusion to Deut 17:6, 19:15.
36	sn As a continuation of v. 19, this refers to elders who sin, not to sinning believers more generally.
37	tn Or “censured.” The Greek word implies exposing someone’s sin in order to bring correction.
38	tn “Before all” probably refers to the whole congregation, not just all the elders; “the rest” is more likely to denote the remaining elders.
39	tn Grk “that the rest may have fear.”