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Chiasm – 1 Timothy 5:19 – Who Are The Rest?
Who Are “The Rest” in 1 Timothy 5:19?
Who are the “rest” who should be “fearful” in 1 Timothy 5:20? What group does “the rest” refer to? While it is understandable that “the rest” be interpreted as the rest of the congregation; there is another group – “the rest” of the elders.
As is common for me, discovering the structure of a text helps me interpret it.
A – ELDER (Accusation of Sin): Against an elder, do not receive an accusation
B – TWO OR THREE (From Church): except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
C – ELDERS: Those who continue in sin,
B’ – ALL (From Church): reprove in the presence of all,
A’ – ELDERS (Fearful of Sin): so that the rest also will be fearful.
If you conclude differently, that “the rest” is the congregation, let me hear your reasoning. I may be wrong.
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