What Does 1 Timothy 5:20 Mean in the King James?
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The missing is exposed before everyone because the fear of those watching is part of the rebuke’s intended effect.
THE MEANING
The missing is named openly, with the rebuke placed in the sight of all. Those who watch are meant to feel fear; the verse does not soften that response into respect. You are facing accountability that reaches beyond the person being rebuked.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that correction concerns only the person confronted dissolves here: the bystanders’ fear is named as part of its purpose.
THE ROOT
ἁμαρτάνοντας
hamartanontas
GROWS FROM
ἁμαρτ-
hamart-
To miss, fail, or fall short.
The word translated “sin” belongs to the Greek word family of missing or falling short. That root gives the verse a concrete shape: what is missing is exposed openly, and its exposure carries consequences for the whole group.
ALSO GROWS
hamartia: Missing, missing the mark.
ἁμαρτία
This noun names the same family of missing that the verse places under public rebuke.
hamartōlos: A sinner; one characterized by missing.
ἁμαρτωλός
The related word shows how the action of missing can describe a person, while this verse focuses on the action itself.
ἔλεγχε
elenche
GROWS FROM
ἐλεγχ-
elench-
To expose, bring to light, or convict through reproof.
The Greek verb can carry the force of exposing something, not merely voicing disapproval. Here that exposure takes place “before all,” making the rebuke visible to the wider group.
ALSO GROWS
elenchos: Proof, evidence, or conviction.
ἔλεγχος
This related noun shows how reproof can make something evident, illuminating the public force of the rebuke.
elegmos: Reproof or correction.
ἐλεγμός
This related noun keeps the focus on correction that confronts what has been exposed.
φόβον
phobon
GROWS FROM
φοβ-
phob-
Fear; being afraid.
The stated response is fear itself. The verse says that those watching are meant to feel it, holding the force of public rebuke in plain view.
ALSO GROWS
phobeō: To fear or be afraid.
φοβέω
This verb gives the same fear as an experience, rather than an abstract idea.
phoberos: Fearsome; inspiring fear.
φοβερός
This related word shows the same root’s force as something that evokes fear in others.
THE PATTERN
Reproof brings hidden conduct into view, and that visibility reaches beyond the person being corrected.
And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?THE THREAD
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.The word translated “reproved” comes from the same Greek word family as the “rebuke” here. Ephesians names what that reproof does: it makes things manifest, clarifying why this rebuke happens before everyone.
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