(1) 5:17 Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching.
Especially-(BDAG) to an unusual degree, most of all, above all, especially, particularly, (very) greatly e.g. 1 Timothy 4:10 In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.
Those who are "especially" belongs to a subgroup of a larger mentioned in the first part of the sentence. In other words, those who work hard in speaking and teaching is a subgroup of the Elders who provide effective leadership. The leadership of the elders is established by their speaking and teaching. I thank God for the chance I can teach the children for a longer period of time during the pandemic. I used to complain about the hard labor, but it actually helps me to establish credibility before them.
(2) 5:19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses.5:20 Those guilty of sin must be rebuked before all, as a warning to the rest.5:21 Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.
Those guilty of sin-(NET) As a continuation of v. 19, this refers to elders who sin, not to sinning believers more generally.
elect angels- (PNTC) Paul’s charge is “in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels,” wording that underscores its gravity. Those three entities pretty much cover the whole heavenly host. The “elect” angels are those who serve God in contradistinction to those who fell (Jude 6; 2 Pet 2:4). They are associated with Christ’s return and the final judgment.
Paul did not assume who to be sinful but left that open. That was an example for Timothy to be just (without prejudice or favoritism of any kind).
Reflection: Imagine you are Timothy, the pastor of a church. Someone brings charges against one of the elders, your co-worker. What prejudice will you have? Of course you want to protect your fellow co-worker! What favoritism will you have? You weigh the evidence differently in favor of the people you like. Do you do that when you teach Sunday school? You love certain children, but not so to others? Do you do that when you teach your own children? Be fair, because God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels are watching us.
Audrey
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