INTRODUCTION

Far too few preachers and teachers have taken the time to consider the context of today’s passage. Paul admonished that a rebuke is sometimes unavoidable, but the context reveals that the individual receiving the rebuke is an elder (1 Timothy 5:17-19 [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.
See All...). It also appears that the rebuke only takes place under specific conditions. Paul informed Timothy that there are times a rebuke must be given in the presence of others. The purpose served to bring fear upon those who witnessed the rebuke so that they too would not repeat the errors of the elder receiving the rebuke. Though a publick rebuke is not a pleasant sight, Proverbs 27:5Open rebuke is better than secret love.
See All... says, “Open rebuke is better than secret love.”

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Some of God’s people would travel great distances to the temple at Jerusalem to give an offering to the Lord. Their money had to be changed into Hebrew money, but the moneychangers were greedy and charged far too much for this service. Jesus publickly rebuked their greed (Matthew 21:12-13 [12] And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, [13] And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): Why should God’s people be careful about hastily rebuking others in publick? What should we take into consideration before rebuking someone publickly?
• Do some sins call for a private rebuke, while others call for a publick rebuke? If so, what would be the distinguishing circumstances for each?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give you wisdom as to how to rebuke others.
• Ask the Lord to keep you from sins that would demand rebuke.

HYMN

BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS

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