Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Timothy 5:19

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses .

Whether an Elder in years, or in office, though the latter being the persons formerly spoken of, seem here principally intended.

That is not to proceed to any judicial inquiry upon it, Deut. 17.6. This was a Law concerning all Elders or younger persons, especially in capitall causes, but the Apostle willeth this to be more specially observed as to officers in the Church, whose faithful discharge of their trusts usually more exposeth them to peoples querulous tongues.

Marginal references: Or, under.; Deut. 19.15.