Do Not Rebuke an Elder

     The American Standard Version translates the first part of
1 Timothy 5:1 in this way, "Rebuke not an elder." This reflects
the policy of the ASV translators to be as literal as possible, and
to use one English word for one Hebrew word in the O.T., and
one English word for one Greek word in the N.T. when possible.
This policy has inherent problems of its own, though one scholar
wrote the following, "So far as English versions are concerned, the
reader who wants an accurate word for word translation has in the
Revised Version or American Standard Version the best of its kind
that is ever likely to be provided." (Bruce, F.F.,  The Books and 
the Parchments, page 235) I wholeheartedly concur with Bruce's
assessment of the ASV. As  far as the modified literal approach to
translation is concerned, the ASV has no equal. The main problems
with the ASV are its awkward phrasing, archaic language, and some
of its textual choices are inaccurate.


     What does the word "elder" mean in 1 Tim. 5:1? It translates
the Greek presbutero, dative masculine singular of presbuteros.
Presbuteros is used in a number of ways in the New Testament,
e.g., members of the Sanhedrin (presbuterous ton Ioudaion,
elders of the Jews) Luke 7:3; the 24 members of the heavenly
court (hoi eikosi tessares presbuteroi) Revelation 5:8; men who
were appointed to preside over and shepherd local assemblies
of  Christians (tous presbuterous tes ekklesias, the elders of the
congregation) Acts 20:17 ;1 Timothy 5:17-19; and those who are
advanced in life (hoi presbuteroi, old men), Acts 2:17.

     The meaning of "elder" in verse 1 is "old man." We can be
certain that this is correct because of the "contextual indicators."
There is an antithesis which exists between "an elder" who is to be
exhorted "as a father," and "younger men" who are to be exhorted
"as brothers" (neoteras hos adelphous). So, "elder" (presbuteros)
is used in contrast to "younger" (neos). Whatever "elder" means,
"younger" is the opposite, and whatever "younger" means, "elder"
is the opposite. Furthermore, Paul continues by contrasting "elder
women as mothers" (presbuteras hos meteras), and exhorting
"younger women as sisters" (neoteras hos adelphas). The "elder"
of verse 1 denotes the same thing as "elder women" of verse 2,
except for the distinction in gender. "Younger men" likewise
denotes the same thing as "younger women" excepting the gender
distinction. Also, there is a parallelism which exists between "elder"
of 1 Timothy 5:1, and the language of the same apostle elsewhere.
In Titus 2:2, Paul exhorts Titus that he, in speaking sound teaching,
inform "aged men" (presbutas) of their duties, and "aged women"
(presbutidas) of their duty to teach the "young women"
(tas neas, vv. 3,4).

     We find the same use of "elder" by the apostle Peter. "Likewise,
you who are younger (neoteroi), be subject to older ones
(presbuterois)" (1 Pet. 5:5). Note again the antithesis between
"younger" and "older/elder."

     What is the significance of the injunction "do not rebuke an
elder" expressed by the negative imperative (me epiplexes)?
May we not "rebuke" all who are in error, and who persist in sin
or rebellion against God, whether young or old? According to
other texts we may (Matt. 18:15-18; Lk. 17:3-4; 1 Tim. 5:20;
2 Tim. 4:2). So, why does the Holy Spirit through Paul, so
emphatically say to Timothy particularly "not to rebuke an elder"?
The key is in the word "rebuke." It is not the same word used in
2 Timothy 4:2.

     The word used in 2 Timothy is epitimao. Contextually, epitimao 
means "to censure and render a sharp rebuke" by the preaching of
the word. "Rebuke" in 1 Timothy 5 is from the Greek epiplesso
which means to reprimand, to strike (verbally), to assault with
abusive speech, to chastise with words, to reproach or denounce.
In the context, Paul informed Timothy about proper conduct among
believers, which he as an evangelist must practice. One of the
charges given to Timothy was, "Let no one despise your youth"
(1 Tim. 4:12). That is, let no one look down on you because you
are young; treat old men and old women with respect. There is an
Old Testament text which contains the same idea couched in similar
language, "You shall stand up in the presence of the elderly, and
show respect for the elderly and revere your God; I am Yahweh."
(Lev. 19:32) Timothy was to show respect for the elderly, and
not lash out with harsh words, but have a tongue tempered by
love and gentleness.

     Instead of the phrase "Rebuke not an elder," as in the ASV,
the recent versions say, "Don't criticize an older man" (Simple
English Bible), "Never be harsh with an elder" (New English Bible),
"Never censure an older man harshly" (James Moffatt Translation),
"Do not sharply rebuke an older man" (NASV), "Do not speak
harshly to an older man" (NRSV), "Do not reprimand an older
man" (McCord's New Testament Translation), "Do not rebuke
an older man harshly" NIV. This shows why it is important to
study from more than one translation. Comparative translation
study opens up vast opportunities for spiritual growth!


     The expression "Do not rebuke an elder" does not restrict or
forbid the younger from correcting the older brothers in the Lord
who err, but it does teach that there is a proper way to do it.The
way is not by ridicule and harshness, but "as fathers and mothers,"
that is, with genuine concern and kindness, attempting to win them
by snatching them out of the devil's grasp!
                                                                                                RD

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