DAILY TEXT, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. God's angels are happy when a sinner repents (Luke 15:10).

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Wednesday, May 6, 2026

God's angels are happy when a sinner repents (Luke 15:10).

If a sinner repents, this is cause for great joy (Luke 15:7). But to whom does the credit belong? To the elders? Recall that the apostle Paul said that “perhaps God will give repentance” to sinners (2 Tim. 2:25). So the credit for this vital change of mind and attitude belongs not to any human, but to Jehovah, who helps the wayward Christian to change. Paul then mentioned some of the excellent results of such repentance: it leads the sinner to a more accurate knowledge of the truth, helps him regain his senses, and enables him to escape Satan’s snares (2 Tim. 2:26).

If the person repents, the elders will continue to shepherd him or her to help him or her strengthen his or her faith, resist Satan’s temptations, and make straight paths for his or her feet (Heb. 12:12, 13). w24.08 23 pars. 14, 15

To whom was Paul referring in 1 Timothy 5:20 when he spoke of “those present”?

(Read 1 Timothy 5:20.) Paul told Timothy—who was also an elder—to reprove sinners “before all those present.” To whom was he referring? Not necessarily the entire congregation, but the few brothers who may already know what the sinner did, either because they saw it with their own eyes or because the sinner confessed it to them. Discreetly, the elders will tell only these brothers that the matter has been addressed and the sinner has been corrected.

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

In some cases, the sin is widely known in the congregation or is likely to become so. Then “those present” would be the entire congregation. So an elder would announce to the congregation that the brother or sister has been reproved. Why? Paul explained: “So that it may serve as a warning to the others” and that they may not commit a serious sin.

What do elders do when a baptized minor commits a serious sin?

What if the baptized Christian who committed the serious sin is under 18 years old? The body of elders will select two elders to meet with the minor and their Witness parents. These elders will find out what steps the parents have already taken to help their child make the necessary changes and repent. If the minor has a good attitude and is accepting their parents' help, the two elders may decide that a committee meeting with them is not necessary.

Ultimately, God has given parents the responsibility to lovingly correct their children (Deut. 6:6, 7; Prov. 6:20; 22:6; Eph. 6:2-4). Afterward, the elders will speak with the parents from time to time to ensure that the child continues to receive the help he or she needs. But what if the baptized child does not repent and refuses to change? In that case, a committee of elders will meet with him or her Witness parents.

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