5. AVOID PREJUDICE AND PARTIALITY

1 Timothy 5:21 "I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality."

Timothy was reminded that the charge was witnessed by God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the faithful angels. Your responsibilities were given in the presence of God and He is the continual witness of how you fulfill them.

The context reveals "these things" Timothy was to observe:-

	As a member of an apostolic team he was to see that elders who ruled well received the respect they deserved, and the financial remuneration of which they were worthy (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
	Timothy was to protect elders from mischievous or spiritual attacks by insisting on dealing only with accusations that were supported by two or three witnesses. (Cf Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16). Be careful to reject charges against your fellow workers, that are just opinion or repeated rumour (1 Timothy 5:19).
	Timothy was not to shun the duty of disciplining those elders or members who were actually sinning - they were to be rebuked before the Church body to serve as a warning to all (1 Timothy 5:20).

You must regard sin in the life of a leader or any believer as a serious matter. The effect of undealt with public sin by leaders sends the wrong message to the body of Christ, and is disastrous to the witness of a local Church.

Timothy is warned of two dangers that he had to avoid in dealing with matters of discipline in the Church, namely, prejudice and partiality.

PREJUDICE (prokrimatos). There must be no prejudicing before examination. Here the idea is that of being swayed by party feeling. You must carefully and calmly hear the case presented by those who bring the charges, and the defence of the accused. What is presented by both sides must then be evaluated without hasty conclusions, or personal preference.

PARTIALITY (prosklisis). It means literally the "inclination" of the scales to one side or the other. There must be no leaning to one side or the other because of favouritism. Favouring the one because he is a person of wealth, or has great influence in the community - or because of his personality, or because he has befriended you in the past and you feel you owe him. You could by partiality press down the scales in favour of sin.

These two dangers can be overcome by dealing with every case of correction in the knowledge that you are judging in the sight of God and the Lord Jesus, even the angels of God observe and witness. You should be concerned that what the Lord observes will meet with His approval.

Paul follows his warning with a caution against appointing to office with haste:

1 Timothy 5:22 "Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure."

You should take time to evaluate carefully anyone who is being considered for any leadership or service. Spiritual character is essential and should be proven. The glory of God requires this, and the testimony to the Word, and the influence of believers.

You need to guard against participating in hasty appointments because you can "share in other people's sins" that you overlooked. It can affect your own ministry by default. Your aim in all your work as a leader must be "keep yourself pure" in your walk with God, and to be free from association with the sins of others.

	How does the knowledge that God observes all your actions and decisions affect you?
	What do you do to remind yourself that everything is open to, and seen by the Lord you serve?
	What would you call proper financial remuneration for a respected and responsible leader?
	Do you believe that the way a person treats others reveals their character?
	Do you do all you can to protect elders from mischievous and malicious attacks?
	Do you insist on evidence and witnesses when a leader is accused?
	Do you shrink from disciplining a proven sinning leader? Do you warn by denouncing sin?
	What would you say are the serious consequences of undealt with public sin of a leader?
	Have you been guilty of pre-judging someone before hearing all the evidence?
	Do you allow yourself to be swayed in your evaluation, by some kind of self-interest or personal preference?
	Are you aware of some inclination that would cause you to tip the scales in favour of what is wrong?
	What is your safeguard against actions of partiality and prejudice?
	Whose approval is most important in your life?
	What do people learn about your character from the way you treat them?
	Why would you hold to the principle of not laying hands on someone hastily?
	What is your response to the admonition to keep yourself pure?
	Do you avoid strife and quarreling by being gentle to all? (2 Timothy 2:24-25).