1 Timothy 5:17-25: a reflection

17Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses. 20Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. 21I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 22Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure. 23Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. 24Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. 25In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.

Among Paul's instructions to Timothy about dealing with people, especially leaders, is a call to fairness and impartiality. Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the testimony of two or three witnesses, he says; and, do nothing by way of partiality or prejudice. Timothy is to judge fairly, not accepting accusations without evidence, not showing favoritism, not prejudging; treating all impartially, without bias one way or the other.

Notice the impartiality Paul calls for: not accepting accusations without evidence, not judging by prejudice or partiality. Fair dealing requires that we not condemn on mere accusation, without proper evidence, nor favor some and disfavor others by prejudice or partiality. Timothy was to judge with an even hand, requiring evidence, showing no favoritism, letting neither bias for nor bias against sway his judgment. Fairness demands impartiality, treating all evenly, without prejudice.

That call to impartial fairness is worth taking to heart, for we are prone to partiality and prejudice in how we judge others. We can be quick to believe accusations against those we dislike, without proper evidence; and quick to excuse those we favor. We can prejudge, letting our bias, for or against, sway our judgment. But fairness requires impartiality: requiring evidence before believing accusations, showing no favoritism, judging evenly without prejudice. When you must form judgments about others, do not accept accusations without evidence, or judge by favoritism and prejudice; be impartial, requiring evidence, showing no partiality, letting neither bias for nor against sway you. Judge others fairly, as Paul charged Timothy, with an even hand, requiring evidence and showing no favoritism, rather than believing readily what suits your bias and excusing readily those you favor. Impartial fairness, free of prejudice and partiality, is what God requires in how we judge others; deal with all evenly, without bias, as Paul charged Timothy to do.

Lord, among Paul's instructions to Timothy is a call to fairness and impartiality: do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the testimony of two or three witnesses, and do nothing by way of partiality or prejudice. Show me the impartiality Paul calls for: not accepting accusations without evidence, not judging by prejudice or partiality, but with an even hand. Take that call to my heart, for I am prone to partiality and prejudice in how I judge others. I can be quick to believe accusations against those I dislike, without proper evidence; and quick to excuse those I favor. I can prejudge, letting my bias, for or against, sway my judgment. But fairness requires impartiality: requiring evidence before believing accusations, showing no favoritism, judging evenly without prejudice. When I must form judgments about others, keep me from accepting accusations without evidence, or judging by favoritism and prejudice; help me be impartial, requiring evidence, showing no partiality, letting neither bias for nor against sway me. Help me judge others fairly, Lord, as Paul charged Timothy, with an even hand, rather than believing readily what suits my bias and excusing readily those I favor. Help me deal with all evenly, without prejudice or partiality.