The Apostle Paul tells Timothy (and us) in 1 Timothy 3:15, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” In this portion, the Apostle Paul is instructing Timothy (and us), on how to behave himself as a member of the body of Christ. He begins giving basic instructions with 1 Timothy 4:6 and continues through the remainder of the book.

The verse you are referring to is 1 Timothy 5:21, “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” It’s here that Paul solemnly calls on Timothy to administer God’s Word without partiality towards others. We learn in 1 Peter 1:17 that the Lord works “without respect of persons.” He is impartial and expects us to be impartial.

In this charge to Timothy, Paul calls upon the witness of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels. He, in effect, charges Timothy in the presence of these three. Who are these ‘elect angels’? I believe they are angels who abided faithful when so many of their fellow angels went along with Satan in his attempt to overtake the Lord.   (Read Isaiah 14:12-15). They abided faithful and are now in happy continuous service to the Lord. These angels are:

MINISTERING SPIRITS – Hebrews 1:14, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

ALL AROUND US – Hebrews 13:2, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

WATCH TO SEE GOD’S ORDER CARRIED OUT – 1 Corinthians 11:10, “For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.”

LOOK TO SEE THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS – 1 Peter 1:12, “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”

Because these angels are constantly in our presence and looking upon us, Paul uses them as witness to charge Timothy (and us) to carry out the truths of God’s Word. (331.2)