1Timothy 5: 17 – 25

November 3, 2022

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

I, for one, am thrilled that verse 20 is not part of church today. Sins – I know I have them but I don’t always know what they are. I certainly would not be thrilled if, one Sunday, my priest remarked from the pulpit, “Oh! And by the way – you back there in the last pew – God saw what you did and so did we!” I’m laughing as I type this but can you imagine? What a horror!

Confession is good for the soul. When I say my prayers and at Holy Communion, I tell the heavenly Father that I don’t know what all sins I’ve committed since my last confession but that He knows full well. All I can do is say that whatever they are, I lay them at the foot of the cross and ask forgiveness and promise to try not to do those (or new!) sins again. It’s imperfect, but so am I.

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