John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 5:21

"I charge [thee] in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality." — 1 Timothy 5:21 (ASV)

I adjure you before God. Paul introduced this solemn appeal, not only because of the very great importance of the subject, but also because of its extreme difficulty. Nothing is more difficult than to fulfill the office of a public judge with such great impartiality as never to be swayed by favoritism for anyone, or to arouse suspicions, or to be swayed by unfavorable reports, or to use excessive severity. In every case, one must consider nothing but the case itself, for only when we disregard who people are do we pronounce an equitable judgment.

Let us remember that, through Timothy, all pastors are admonished, and that Timothy is armed, as with a shield, against wicked desires, which often cause much trouble even to some excellent people. He therefore places God before Timothy's eyes, so that Timothy may know that he ought to carry out his office just as conscientiously as if he were in the presence of God and His angels.

And the Lord Jesus Christ. After naming God, he next mentions Christ, for it is Christ to whom the Father has given all power to judge (John 5:22), and before whose tribunal we will one day appear.

And the elect angels. To “Christ” he adds “angels,” not as judges, but as the future witnesses of our carelessness, or rashness, or ambition, or unfaithfulness. They are present as spectators, because they have been commanded to take care of the Church.

Indeed, the person whose indolence and carelessness are not shaken off by this single consideration—that the government of the Church is under the eye of God and the angels—must be worse than stupid and have a heart of stone. And when that solemn appeal is added, our fear and anxiety must be redoubled.

He calls them “elect angels,” not only to distinguish them from the reprobate angels, but also because of their excellence, so that their testimony may awaken deeper reverence.

Without hastiness of judgment. The Greek word προκρίμα, translated literally, corresponds to the Latin word praejudicium, meaning “a judgment beforehand.” But it rather denotes excessive haste, as when we pronounce a decision at random, without having fully examined the matter; or it denotes immoderate favor, when we grant to people more than is proper, or prefer some people as being more excellent than others; which, in the decisions of a judge, is always unjust. Paul, therefore, condemns here either levity or acceptance of persons.

The following point also serves the same purpose: there must be no turning to this side or that. For it is almost impossible to express how difficult it is for those who serve as judges to remain unmoved amidst such numerous and varied assaults. Instead of κατὰ πρόσκλισιν, some copies have κατὰ πρόσκλησιν. However, the former reading is preferable.