1 Timothy 5:21

“I solemnly charge you”: To command earnestly, to bear. solemn witness (2 Timothy 2:14; 2 Timothy 4:1). “Fully aware of the awful responsibility of the judicial functions laid upon Timothy, Paul with great solemnity charges him to exercise judgment with complete impartiality” (Hiebert p. 103). “It has been well remarked that the solemnity of this charge indicates the temptation which there might be to Timothy to shrink from reproving men of weight and influence” (P.P. Comm. p. 100).

1 Timothy 5:21 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus”: Timothy must be impartial for the God he serves is impartial (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11). “Timothy is to carry out his task under the consciousness of working under the direct gaze of the spiritual world. All Christian work should be carried out as in God's sight” (Hiebert p. 103). Instead of being concerned of what men will think, Timothy needs to remember that God is constantly watching him and that God's approval is far more meaningful and important. Remember, God sees all (Hebrews 4:13; Revelation 2:2).

1 Timothy 5:21 “And of His chosen angels”: The term “chosen” or “elect” seems to distinguish these angels from the angels that sinned (2 Peter 2:4; Judges 1:6). Such angels will come with Christ when He returns (2 Thessalonians 1:7). Compare with Ephesians 3:10. “Timothy stands in an awful presence-the God of the universe, the Messiah at His right hand, and the angels (His chosen attendants and ministers, gathered around His throne)-as he goes about doing the work of an evangelist in the city of Ephesus. Evangelists today have the same audience!” (Reese p. 251).

1 Timothy 5:21 “To maintain”: That is, to follow, guard, and care for.

1 Timothy 5:21 “These principles”: What has just been mentioned in the previous verses.

1 Timothy 5:21 “Without bias, doing nothing in. spirit of partiality”: The term “bias” means “prejudice, pre-judging and discrimination”. The term “partiality” means literally. leaning to one side, that is to incline the scales of justice to one side or the other. “The balance of justice in the hands of Timothy must be equal” (Reese p. 252). “Before all the facts are heard, Timothy must not lean either toward the accuser nor toward the accused” (p. 252). “He is guilty regardless of how much you like him, if he is innocent, then hating him won't make him guilty” (Williams p. 28). “There is nothing which does more harm than when some people are treated as if they could do no wrong, and when others are treated as if they could do no right. Justice is. universal virtue, and in it the church must surely never fall below the impartial standards which even the world rightly demands” (Barclay p. 136).