1 Timothy 5:21

The solemnity of the adjuration in this verse points to a very definite exercise of the duty imposed, and to expected difficulty in the doing of it, arising perhaps not only from Timothy's diffidence but from the prominence of the -elders" who are to be -rebuked." Cf. Acts 20:29 as above. Here again as frequently the ms. authority requires us to read - Christ Jesus," not -the Lord Jesus Christ." Cf. note on 1 Timothy 1:1.

the elect angels If we compare (1) Judges 6, -angels which kept not their own principality," and (2) Judges 14, -The Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones" coupled with Hebrews 12:22, -ye are come unto … ten thousands of angels," we may interpret the phrase with Chrysostom of the unfallen angels; and though -the angels" alone would, as Alford objects, be sufficient to designate the good angels, yet the added epithet has its force in an adjuration against rebel speech and self-will. We may see too with Bp Bull a further appositeness in the adjuration, -because they in the future judgment shall be present as witnesses with their Lord." See further on the general meaning of the word -elect" in N.T. on Titus 1:1; 2 Timothy 2:10.

without preferringone before another] More precisely as margin and R.V., without prejudice; the word, only occurring here, is exactly the Latin prae-iudicium, a prejudging the case unfavourably. The next clause, -doing nothing by partiality" or by preference, expresses the opposite error of deciding for a favourite apart from the evidence; the substantive only occurring here, though the verb is found Acts 5:36, used of the partisansof Theudas, -to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves." The metaphor is seen clearly in Goldsmith's description of the country parson:

-And e'en his failings leaned toVirtue's side." Deserted Village.