Friday, May 29 Reprove before all onlookers those who practice sin.​—1 Tim. 5:20.

[Áine]

Friday, May 29

Reprove before all onlookers those who practice sin.—1 Tim. 5:20.

 

The apostle Paul wrote the words of today’s text to his fellow elder Timothy in connection with how to handle “those who practice sin.” What did he mean? He did not necessarily mean that the whole congregation were the “onlookers.” Rather, he was referring to those few who might already know of the sins. They could be eyewitnesses, or they could be those whom the wrongdoer confided in. The elders would discreetly make them aware that the matter was handled and that the sinner was corrected. In some instances, the wrongdoing may have become widely known in the congregation or is likely to become known. In such a case, the “onlookers” would include the entire congregation. So an elder would announce to the congregation that the brother or the sister has been reproved. Why? Paul answers: “As a warning to the rest” not to fall into sin. w24.0823-24 ¶16-17