Watchtower Study, Showing Love and Mercy to Those Who Commit Serious Sin, Week of October 28 - November 3, 2024, Commentary and Responses.

Watchtower Study, Showing Love and Mercy to Those Who Commit Serious Sin, October 28-November 3, 2024, Comments and Answers.

“In his goodness God is seeking to bring you to repentance” (ROM. 2:4).

1. When someone commits a serious sin, what is sometimes possible to achieve?

It is possible to bring a person to repentance and as Romans 2:4 says, what we want is to show patience and walk with people to bring them to repentance.

When someone commits a serious sin, it is sometimes possible to lead the person to repentance, as stated in Romans 2:4, which says that “in his kindness God is trying to lead you to repentance.”

2, 3. What should we do if we learn that a brother has committed a serious sin, and why?

We should encourage him to go to the elders to ask for help. In fact, Jehovah makes this invitation in Isaiah 1:8, where he says that we should settle matters with him, but if he does not do so, then we should approach the elders and discuss why, because we do not want to lose our brothers and for him to also lose his relationship with Jehovah.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

If we learn that a brother has committed a serious sin, we should encourage him to approach the elders and ask for help. This is important because the elders are trained to help the person repent and receive the necessary guidance. In addition, it is essential that the elders know the situation so that they can intervene appropriately and offer support.

And it is something that is difficult, especially if it is a friend, and sometimes one can think, "Well, maybe I am unfaithful to my friend," which does not mean that we should gossip about the elderly, but that is not the case. It is a sign of love, first because someone who is sick has to go to the doctor, they have to get better, otherwise the illness could lead to death, and then we also help to clear the name of the congregation, because if we did not do so, it could be stained.

The text that the sister was commenting on earlier, Isaiah 1:18, is really beautiful, very encouraging, because it mentions that Jehovah wants to fix things, he encourages, he says, come, let's fix things and sins will become white, as he says. So it is a way in which Jehovah shows his love and mercy, when he encourages that things be fixed.

Here, too, it begins to be what the title of this article says, how love is shown. It is a demonstration of love from us towards this brother who is stumbling.

HOW ELDERS HELP THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED A SERIOUS SIN

4. What is the purpose of the elders when meeting with a person who has committed a serious sin?

Well yes, although it is not always possible, the objective is to lead the brother to repentance.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The goal of the elders when meeting with a person who has committed a serious sin is to do everything possible to bring the sinner to repentance. They seek to help the person recognize his mistake and restore his relationship with Jehovah, acting with humility and kindness in the process.

Here, as we know, the elders cannot force anyone to repent. So the text of Deuteronomy 30:19 is very good, which says that Jehovah has given us the ability to choose between life or death, and logically if we obey his commands and obey what Jehovah has commanded us through the help of the elders, above all, of course that is what they are there for, to help us to be able to choose, no one is going to force them.

Well, it is very curious and it is very much in keeping with the objective that this committee of elders seeks. Before, it was called the judicial committee and although it is true that within this procedure there is a part in which the elders, from their best point of view and with the help of Jehovah, judge whether the sinner is repentant or not. The objective, as we are seeing, is not only to judge, but the objective is to help the person repent and recover their relationship with Jehovah, so although it has been an update of the name, it is also an update of the concept because now, as we will see during this article, it is sought by all means to make the person repent and not simply a matter of judging.

5. What advice should elders remember when meeting with the sinner? (2 Timothy 2:24-26; see also image.)

When meeting with the sinner, elders should remember the counsel of 2 Timothy 2:24-26, which instructs them to act with kindness, goodness, and mildness. They should be humble and recognize that, although they try to help the sinner repent, they cannot force him to change. Their focus should be on leading the sinner toward repentance, imitating Jehovah’s kindness in the process.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, we must not be harsh or severe in that meeting, nor treat them with a cold procedure or simply a formality. Rather, we must demonstrate, through the qualities that we have read in the text, to be kind and gentle with them, because as we are commenting, what we are trying to do is to bring that brother back to the congregation, not to throw him out even more.

Yes, the text we read said to control oneself when they treat you badly. Of course, it is possible that the brother does not react well to the advice or to what the elders tell him. So that is why this idea of ​​maintaining gentleness is emphasized, in order to make him repent.

And when the elders remember that the sheep belongs to Jehovah, that is when those qualities come out naturally, because it is like us if a friend leaves us something very valuable, we try to take care of it so that it does not break. So Jehovah has paid such a high price for that sheep that when they remember that it belongs to him, they take care of it.

Yes, there we see how it is trapped and entangled. Well, in the same way chapter 2 verse 26 was telling us, regain your senses and escape the trap, because perhaps brother, as it could have happened, you have become trapped, entangled in worldly matters, etc. And that is similar to the condition that the sheep was in, so in the same way the elders are going to resolve, they are going to remove from their hearts the things that have led them to commit this sin and thus be able to help them much better.

The work of the shepherd is the same work that the elderly have because he leaves the 99 and goes for one. Many times the elderly, like all mortal beings, have work and many chores, but when something is really important, such as rescuing a brother, they leave everything behind. Nothing is more important than rescuing a brother.

ILLUSTRATION

And looking at the image we see that little sheep that is injured, has a bad leg, perhaps many wounds from being caught in those branches, we cannot imagine now that the shepherd comes and on top of that scolds it, hurts it more, yanks it, gets it out of there however he can, right? No, we think that he is going to get it out very carefully so that it does not hurt itself, so that it does not suffer more, because in the same way we see the brother as a person, a brother, a friend, who has made a mistake, who has gotten himself into that problem, who is suffering just like this little sheep, and what we want is to get him out of that problem, as best as possible and for him to quickly recover his relationship with Jehovah.

And the image illustrates how a shepherd has lost a sheep, so he leaves the others that he has there that are safe and begins to search and that sheep is hurt, it is observed there that it is tangled in some bushes, in the same way the elders of the congregation. So they do everything possible to recover Jehovah's sheep, and they do it with kindness, goodness and gentleness to try to reach their hearts.

A shepherd is out with his flock looking for a sheep that has gone astray. The sheep is caught in a thorn bush and has a wound on its leg. Like the shepherds of old, the elders do everything they can to recover the lost sheep. (See paragraph 5.)

6. How do elders prepare their hearts before meeting with the sinner? (Romans 2:4)

The elders prepare their hearts before meeting with the sinner by remembering the words of Romans 2:4, which indicate that “in his kindness God is seeking to lead you to repentance.” They strive to imitate Jehovah’s kindness in dealing with the sinner, recognizing that their role is that of shepherds seeking to restore a lost sheep. They also pray to Jehovah for help in their efforts to lead the sinner to repentance.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The elders do not want to be influenced by their own opinion, so they are very aware that what Jehovah wants is for that brother to repent, so before meeting with him they pray to Jehovah, so that Jehovah will be in that meeting that is going to take place, and that he will help them bring repentance to that brother. They also look for information and ask Jehovah to give them much discernment to be able to understand what has happened and to be able to help the brother.

Yes, Proverbs 2:5 says that the thoughts of a man's heart are like deep waters, but a discerning man knows how to draw them out, so the elders are very conscious in that prayer or those prayers that they make to Jehovah that they need discernment to really have a complete picture of what has happened to the person.

And in Matthew 18, verse 20, Jesus said that where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them, so the elders have to remember that Jesus is the head of the congregation and that he is, so to speak, in that meeting. So they have to follow the instructions and imitate the qualities that Jesus has.

And from this whole process we also draw a very important lesson, and that is that nothing is left to chance or improvisation. And that is an example of how much Jehovah cares for his sheep. It has already been said that first the elders have to do a personal exercise of thinking that they have to imitate Jehovah. They have to pray, they have to look for information, and this shows how important it is for Jehovah and for his organization that repentant sinners can return to their people.

7, 8. In what ways can elders imitate Jehovah’s patience when meeting with a sinner?

Elders can imitate Jehovah’s patience when meeting with a sinner in several ways. First, they should remember how Jehovah dealt with sinners in the past, such as in the case of Cain, whom he offered the opportunity to regain his approval while warning him of the consequences of his actions. Also, just as Jehovah repeatedly sent his prophets to Israel to urge repentance, elders should not be quick to conclude that a person does not want to change, but can meet with him more than once, giving him time to reflect and repent.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

They remember how Jehovah acted in the past and did not wait for his servant to repent, but took the initiative while they were still sinning. So the elders today try to put into practice the words of 2 Timothy 4:2 to always do so with urgency, but with patience and with good advice.

It is also mentioned in the case of King David how he sent Nathan guided by the Holy Spirit, he told him the right words so that he could remove the blindfold from his eyes and see the seriousness of the sin he had committed. So in this case David himself judged himself with that example, it was not Nathan who had to judge him.

And I like the text of Second Timothy 4:2, which says that in the end the elders have to deal with these cases with a lot of patience, with a lot of love, because in the end the elders are working with them, we are in the meetings, they are even our friends. So they have confidence and we know that they want to help us. So it says that it is very important that they know how to control themselves and speak calmly to motivate them to do what is right, and that the brother who has sinned or who has had a problem comes to repent or maybe he does not come to repent and even gets angry.

In the book of Jeremiah, it is shown how much patience Jehovah had with the people of Israel. In that text it speaks of how they followed their own plans, they acted with stubbornness, it even says that from the time they left Egypt until that moment, but even so Jehovah continued sending the prophets, with what intention, so that they would repent and return to their ways.

Elders should always follow Jehovah's example and because they should lead by example, they should not be carried away by frustration, because the person could stop listening or even refuse to repent.

9, 10. What can the elders do to help reason with a brother who has sinned?

Elders can help reason with a brother who has sinned in several ways. First, they should investigate the factors that led the brother to commit the sin, such as whether he has neglected his study, preaching, or whether he has allowed bad influences to affect his heart. This will allow them to better understand the situation and address the problem more effectively.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In addition, elders should ask thoughtful questions that invite the brother to reflect on his actions, without pressuring him to reveal unnecessary private details. By treating him kindly, they can make it easier for the brother to express himself freely and understand the reasons behind his sin.

Well, the first thing they are going to do is analyze and find out why this brother has reached this point. They say that they are going to analyze whether perhaps he is weakened or has bad company or his entertainment is not adequate, and above all if he realizes what it will also cause Jehovah to have sinned, and then they will talk to him and try to make him like Proverbs 2:5 says, to be a discerning man who has done things, and that will also make him think.

Also, as paragraph 10 mentions, these brothers are going to ask the elders questions and they have to be questions that do not probe, that do not get into gruesome details that will not interest them, but rather do so with kindness, as it says, they will help them to express themselves freely and thus be able to understand what has led them to sin.

It is not an interrogation as if it were an accused person who we have to present evidence to put him in jail, not the interrogation, the questions what they do is that both the elders, that is to say the committee that is looking into that issue, as well as the person, analyze why it has come to this point, what has caused that brother to commit that sin, and in that way both the committee and the brother himself analyze what those

circumstances are, even that makes the click so that at that moment he begins to show signs of repentance.

And in many cases, sinners are so because their spirituality has dropped, because when one is spiritually strong, even if one faces temptations and problems, one knows how to overcome them, but if one is weak it is easier for one to sin, that is why the elders are concerned about knowing how one's spiritual routine has been, in recent times, if one is preaching, if one is praying in a habitual manner and with the heart. Since studying all these things, this is fundamental so that they not only know why one has reached that situation, but also the recommendations or advice that one must then receive to restore one's spiritual situation.

It is also possible that during the first meeting with him you will begin to sincerely regret what you have done and even regret it at that moment.

There may be one or as many as necessary. The point is to help the brother repent and return.

11. How did Jesus treat sinners?

Jesus treated sinners with compassion and understanding. For example, He asked Saul of Tarsus, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” which helped him realize that what he was doing was wrong. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Furthermore, in Revelation 2:20-21, He mentions a woman named “Jezebel” and says, “I gave her time to repent,” which shows His willingness to offer opportunities for repentance. Thus, Jesus modeled an approach of love and patience in dealing with those who had sinned.

Yes, it is very nice to see how Jehovah never gives up on anyone, and we see it through Jesus Christ, who is a living example of how his father is, how he not only never gives up on anyone, but takes the initiative to get close to these sinners in some way. Now, for example, we have many experiences with the exhibitors who are being a good help for people who are far from Jehovah.

Another detail is expressed in Revelation 22:21 where Jesus speaks of a woman named Jezebel, and says I gave her time to repent, because it shows us that Jehovah gives time, Jesus gives time to evildoers to repent, the elders should also do the same.

12, 13. What can the elders do to give the person time to repent? (See also images.)

Elders can give the person time to repent in several ways. First, they can meet with the sinner more than once, allowing him to reflect on what was discussed and seriously consider his situation. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This may lead to a change in attitude at a later meeting and a search for Jehovah's forgiveness. They should also show empathy and kindness, creating a safe environment where the sinner feels comfortable to open up and express his feelings.

They can meet with the sinner more than once, that is the advice, perhaps a first meeting is held and the person stays thinking about what they have said or what they have mentioned, and feels motivated or feels the need to humbly ask Jehovah for forgiveness in prayer, as David did in the as it says in Psalm 32:5, I confessed my sin to you, I did not hide my error, I will confess my offenses to Jehovah.

Yes, we can appreciate the attitude of the elders, which reflects that they have empathy and kindness towards him, because if they had an attitude of superiority, what have you done, why have you done it? That then does not help the one who has committed sin to repent, he sees their good attitude and it is a step that he has to take into account.

Yes, it is indeed a show of love. Like Jesus, the elders do not rush to the conclusion that the person does not want to repent.

ILLUSTRATION

As it is very well shown in the image, we see that brother that in the first meeting perhaps they are talking to him, they are trying to advise him to see what has happened and perhaps his attitude is not the best at that moment, because he may simply be angry or simply his own regret makes it not be the best attitude, but we see how in the next meeting that he is seen in another attitude, the brother has had time to think, to reconsider what he has been told and perhaps that is the moment to realize that he has made a mistake and truly repent and return to Jehovah.

And between the second, first and second image that we see, there is something that is mentioned in the paragraph that is of great value and that the elders have the responsibility to do, and that is to ask Jehovah in prayer to continue blessing not only the efforts that they are making to recover this brother, but also to help the brother really understand the seriousness of the sin that he has committed, and the seriousness of having lost the relationship with Jehovah. These prayers, without a doubt, also have a great effect so that the second part of the photo can come to fruition.

And the committee of elders really imitates Jehovah, because if we look at their attitude, they are talking to him and he is looking somewhere else, as if he doesn't care what they are telling me. They have a lot of patience, they show empathy, they show kindness and it bears fruit, because in the following image he is already looking at the face of the sister who is speaking to him, he even has the cell phone in his hand, the mobile phone in his hand, perhaps he is looking for the biblical text that they are quoting to him, so it bears fruit, then it demonstrates the hard work that the brothers do to lead the sinner to repent.

Series of images: 1. Three elders are meeting with a brother. They are talking to him, but he is looking away. 2. On another occasion, the elders meet again with the brother. They are talking to him, and he is paying attention to them. The elders may meet more than once with the person who has sinned in order to give him time to repent. (See paragraph 12.)

14. When a sinner repents, who gets the credit, and why?

When a sinner repents, the credit goes to Jehovah, not to the elders or any other person. This is because, as mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:25, it is God who grants repentance. Although the elders can help and guide the person, the true change of heart and the decision to repent come from God's action in the sinner's life.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In 2 Timothy 2:25 Paul said that perhaps God would give them repentance, referring to those who had turned away from Jehovah, so the merit of sin having changed both their way of acting and thinking is not the work of any man, but it is the work of God, who helped the Christian who had strayed to change his way of thinking.

We have the case of Jehovah, as an excellent shepherd, knowing the heart of his sheep. As we have seen before with the shepherd when he finds that sheep that had been lost, Jehovah knows the heart, the motives and the attitudes that perhaps have led that brother to move away a little from the flock, that is why he makes and takes the steps through the congregation, through the elders, to motivate and help that brother to regain knowledge or judgment so to speak, so that he returns again to the flock, and in that way Jehovah makes known to people the qualities that he makes possible and are accessible to all those people who truly in their hearts want to return to him again.

Yes, we also see the example that Luke 15:7-10 tells us, which says that this is a reason for joy for the angels. So we are not better than the angels if they rejoice, and so are we.

In Luke 15:7 it clearly says that there is much joy in heaven when a sinner repents, more than 99 righteous people who do not need to repent. This clearly tells us that Jehovah intervened in this person so that he would repent and change his attitude, so the merit is totally his.

15. How can the elders continue to help the repentant sinner?

After the person shows repentance, elders can make regular visits to strengthen his or her faith and help him or her resist any temptations he or she may face.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

After a person shows repentance, regular shepherding visits can and should be made to strengthen his faith, and not only that, but also to help him resist temptations he may face now and in the future.

In fact, the apostle Paul, in the quote from Hebrews 12:12, 13, uses it as if it were a rehabilitation after having had surgery and having something corrected, because surely he needs rehabilitation so that that member can be as it was at the beginning again.

And at the end it also says that the elders are not going to reveal to anyone what they discuss with this brother, this on the part of the elders, but on the part of the others they should not interfere and ask what is happening when it is something that does not concern them, it is a matter between that person, the elders and Jehovah.

The attitude with which the brothers approach the case is to help the brother, to help him repent and for this they have to pray to Jehovah to give them the necessary understanding, to have a lot of patience, to treat him with kindness, those are the general features.

“CENSORSHIP IN FRONT OF ALL PRESENTS”

16. Who was Paul referring to in 1 Timothy 5:20 when he spoke of “those present”?

Paul was referring to “those present” in 1 Timothy 5:20 as those few brothers who already knew about the sinner’s sin, either because they saw it with their own eyes or because the sinner himself confessed it to them. He was not necessarily referring to the entire congregation, but to a select group who were aware of the situation.

When I speak of those present, as the paragraph says, it does not necessarily refer to the entire congregation, but rather to those who have been closest to the brother and have been able to learn of his sin or to those who have been able to witness it.

And one nuance of the paragraph is that it says that the elders will only address the people who know about it, and tell them that the case has already been resolved.

At the beginning of the article we saw that if the person who committed the sin did not repent, perhaps one of his acquaintances, a friend or a brother, had to go and speak to the elders to inform them, then perhaps this person could become worried about that person, that friend or that brother. So in this way we also protect the brothers so that they know that they are taken care of and that they can be calm.

In this case, if it is already widely known, since it says there that those present would be the entire congregation, then an elder would go up to the platform and give notice that such a brother has been censured and this is because it is to serve as a warning to others so that no one else can commit a serious sin.

If only a few people knew about it, it would be censured before those few people, it would be announced that the matter had been dealt with and if the sin was known to the congregation or was known to become known. Then it would be an announcement before the entire congregation.

17. If the sin is widely known in the congregation or is likely to become so, what announcement will be made, and why?

If the sin is widely known in the congregation or is likely to become so, an elder will announce to the congregation that the brother or sister has been censured. This announcement is made “to serve as a warning to others” and thus prevent them from committing serious sin.

In this case, it is already widely known, since it says that those present would be the entire congregation. Then an elder would go up to the platform and give notice that such a brother has been censured, and this is to serve as a warning to others so that no one else can commit a serious sin.

If only a few people knew about it, it would be censured before those few people, it would be announced that the matter had been dealt with and if the sin was known to the congregation or was known to become known. Then it would be an announcement before the entire congregation.

18. What do the elders do when a baptized minor commits a serious sin? (See also image.)

When a baptized minor commits a serious sin, the elders choose two of their number to meet with the minor and his parents. These elders will find out what steps the parents have taken to help their child make the necessary changes and repent.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, two elders meet with this young man and his parents and they find out what the parents are doing, and if they are taking steps to make this young man repent and change his attitude and what they will do. Well, if it is a positive attitude, then a committee will not be necessary.

If the child displays a good attitude and accepts help from his or her parents, the elders may decide that it is not necessary for a committee to meet with them. However, they will continue to speak with the parents from time to time to ensure that the child continues to receive the help he or she needs.

Yes, what will be done is to talk from time to time with the parents to see the progress of the minor and if the progress is good, then nothing else will be necessary.

Otherwise a committee of elders will meet with him and his father.

Yes, as Proverbs 22:6 says, Jehovah asks parents to educate the child in the way he should go, that is why the elders take parents into account so much because in the end God has given that responsibility to the parents, that is why they are asked to be the ones to lovingly correct the child.

And also in Proverbs 6:20 it says that the son must obey the commandments of the father and the teachings of his mother so Jehovah has given parents the responsibility of teaching their children.

Well, it is an attitude of affection, he has his hand on the son's shoulder and the father also looks at the son in a tender way. What they want is that, as Ephesians 6 says, it is the first command with a promise: they do not want to irritate those children but rather raise them in the discipline of Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION

And we can also see the image where this subject is being discussed and we see that it is a quiet place, they are at home, they are also having coffee and this gives us the feeling that they simply want to help him, he is with his parents quietly, it is not anything that the elders want to harm him or anything like that, but what they and his parents want is for him to recover as soon as possible and for him to be calm with his spirituality, and above all with his conscience so that he can continue serving Jehovah.

Two elders meet with a baptized minor and his parents in their home. One of the elders is reading a scripture to them. If a minor commits a serious sin, two elders will meet with him and his Witness parents. (See paragraph 18.)

“JEHOVAH IS VERY LOVING AND MERCIFUL”

19. How do elders imitate Jehovah in dealing with those who commit serious sin?

Elders imitate Jehovah in dealing with those who commit serious sin by maintaining an optimistic and positive attitude, seeking to help the sinner repent. 

The elders strive to keep the congregation clean, but they also want to show compassion and mercy, just as Jehovah does. This is reflected in their willingness to offer support and guidance, remembering that Jehovah is “very loving and merciful.”

James 5:11 is speaking precisely about how they see Job's example, not how in the end Jehovah proved to be very tender in affection and merciful and in that way we see that the elders also apply that and that is what Jehovah wants.

Well, Jehovah has given the elders the responsibility of keeping the congregation clean and of doing everything possible to help that brother who has sinned to repent and maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, so in that way they invite Jehovah because Jehovah is a loving God and is also merciful.

In fact, for example, if you want to get pine nuts from a pine cone, you can get them in two ways: either by sticking it, but it will hold the pine cone, or by giving it some heat and then it will open on its own and give you the pine nuts. Did Jehovah use this method? He wants to cleanse the congregation, but He will always do it in a loving way.

Well, we see how loving the apostle John was, as though he did not want us to commit a sin, he knew that it was possible to commit it, then he remembered that we have a very good helper who knows what we are like as human beings and who will intercede for us alongside Jehovah who understands us very well, that his help is Jesus Christ who has suffered for us, has lived what it is to be a human being and gave his life for us.

Finally, adding a little more of the very tender phrase "my little children" every time I read it I love it because it shows the love that the apostle John felt for the Brothers.

20. What will we see in the last article of this series?

We will see how the elders handle cases in which a sinner refuses to repent.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?

According to Romans 2:4, what is the elders' purpose in meeting with a person who has committed a serious sin?

We must do everything possible to bring the sinner to repentance, always imitating the goodness of Jehovah. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

According to Romans 2:4, the goal of elders when meeting with a person who has committed a serious sin is to bring him to repentance. This is accomplished by imitating God's kindness and patience, seeking to help the sinner recognize his error and return to a right relationship with Jehovah.

We have seen that it is no longer called a judicial committee and this is very accurate, because we can see that it is more like when we go to a doctor's office with a problem, they are not going to ask questions, it is not simply an interrogation, they want to know how we have this health problem, then they will try to help us, we will have to go to several consultations perhaps and then they can even help us to continue until we recover. So we see that it is simply a process in which we want you to repent and enjoy good spiritual health again.

How can elders apply 2 Timothy 2:24-26?

Elders can apply 2 Timothy 2:24-26 by treating sinners with kindness, patience, and respect. They should avoid being harsh or confrontational, and instead show empathy and understanding. When meeting with the person who has sinned, elders should strive to communicate in a gentle manner, seeking to help the sinner understand his situation and guide him toward repentance.

They should also pray for the person, asking Jehovah to grant him understanding and the ability to recognize his error, in the hope that he will come to his senses and turn away from Satan's traps.

Well, they are not harsh or severe, nor do they see this meeting as a cold procedure, a simple formality, as it is said in Second Timothy 2:24-26, because at all times they behave with kindness, goodness and gentleness to try to reach the heart.

Yes, as it is saying that the hope that the person will come to his senses is to repent, do not rush to the conclusion that the person does not want to repent, but rather are patient, imitating Jehovah.

What does the instruction “Censorship in front of all those present” mean?

The instruction “Reproof before all present” refers to the practice of publicly announcing the censure of a member of the congregation who has committed a serious sin that is widely known or could become widely known. This announcement is made to maintain the purity of the congregation and to make all members aware of the situation, which can also serve as a warning and lesson to others.

As we have seen, this means that if only a few brothers know about the sin, then the elders will speak to them and tell them that the problem has been corrected. And if the entire congregation eventually finds out about the sin, then they will make an announcement saying that it has been censured.