1 Timothy 5 Study Notes

5:18 The command not to muzzle an ox is a quote from Dt 25:4. An owner was commanded to allow his ox to eat of the grain it was grinding. The idea is that a person who works for something should be able to benefit from it. The worker is worthy of his wages is a direct quote from Lk 10:7. This indicates that Paul was already referring to the recorded statements of Jesus as authoritative Scripture.

5:19 This requirement is based on Dt 19:15 (cp. Mt 18:16; 2Co 13:1).

5:20 The people to be publicly rebuked were elders who sinned. The rest who would fear to sin as a result of this rebuke included the rest of the elders and probably the rest of the congregation as well.

5:21-22 These things refers back to the instructions in vv. 19-20. God the Father, Christ, and the angels see our actions and care what we do. Elect angels are distinguished from fallen angels. They will be involved in the judgment (cp. Mt 13:41-42; 16:27; 24:31; 25:31; 2Th 1:7; Heb 12:22-24; Rv 14:10,14-20).

5:23 How this verse connects to the rest of the paragraph is not clear. It appears to be a qualification to the call for purity in vv. 22 and 24, clarifying that there would be nothing wrong with Timothy using a little wine.

5:24-25 After the aside of v. 23, Paul returned to the issue of appointing elders to serve the church. These verses illustrate why it is wise to be patient and thorough in assessing potential elders.