1 Timothy, Chapter 5
© Copyright 2002 Darroll Evans, all
rights reserved
1 Timothy 5:1-16
1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as
brethren;
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety
at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before
God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth
in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own
house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having
been the wife of one man,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have
lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the
afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton
against Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and
not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they
ought not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the
house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them,
and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows
indeed.
These verses are to be used for teaching
social conduct among Christians.
You must understand that what follows is my
opinion on these verses.
You may or may not agree totally with my
opinion.
This chapter must be interpreted on the basis
of grace.
(v. 1) We are not to chastise one that is
older or who supervises (Gr. presbuteroo) the Church.
Instead, speak softly to older men, and speak
likewise to younger Christian men as brothers.
(v. 2) We are to treat older women as
mothers, and the younger women as sisters.
(v. 3) We are to honor true widows.
(v. 4) However, if a widow has a (grown) son
(Gr. tekna) or grandchild, let them take responsibility in regard to this
matter.
*A true widow in the Church is one whose
husband has died and she has no children or grandchildren of responsible age.
(v. 5) The true Christian widow is a woman
that has been widowed and has placed her fate in the hands of God. She
continues in godly hope and prayer.
(v. 6) The woman that has been widowed and
gives herself to worldly pleasures is dead in trespasses and sins even though
she is physically alive.
(v. 7) We are to teach these so that others
may learn and mature in Christ.
(v. 8) It is very important that we understand
verse eight in context.
This verse has been used out of context to
degrade poor men for not being wealthy.
Those that provide for the families are not
those that leave behind large monetary estates.
Instead, this verse is referring to a
Christian father’s duty to tell his children about Christ.
It is not his duty to demand that they
believe in Christ Jesus.
(v. 9) In this verse, Paul gives his opinion
concerning the age of a window.
During the dark ages, few would qualify for
widowhood because they did not live long enough.
In any case, true widows should be of a
relatively mature age.
(v. 10) A true Christian widow should be
known for her good works.
She must have fulfilled the duties of a
parent. (Her children may be deceased.)
A true Christian widow must also have
"lodged" strangers.
The Greek word translated "lodged"
carries the implication of showing hospitality.
That must be done with wisdom.
Washing of feet is considered by some to be a
command.
Only a few Churches practice washing saints’
feet.
A true Christian widow (as in the case with
all Christians) should be available to assist others within the means available
to her.
She should also be diligent in doing good
work.
(v. 11-12) In verse eleven, Paul places
another restriction on the status of widows.
Paul writes that younger women whom have lost
their husbands should not be considered true Christian widows.
Younger "widows" are more inclined
to remarry.
So, each Church should understand and deal
with it accordingly.
(v. 13) Going from house to house, carrying
gossip is not the exclusive domain of the young.
Age does not excuse it.
(v. 14) Younger widows should (if possible)
remarry and continue a normal family life.
(v. 15) Not continuing a normal family
situation can cause many problems.
Sexual desires and needs are normal.
Denial of them is abnormal.
(v. 16) This verse deals with the proper
understanding of who should and should not be dealt with as a widow among the
women of any Church.
It is the Church’s responsibility to care for
widows.
That responsibility does not extent to those
that do not qualify.
1 Timothy 5:17-18
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially
they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the
corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
(v. 17) It is an honor to be considered
worthy of serving a Church.
Within any Church, the Pastor, Deacons, and
Teachers are servants of God and should be held in high regard.
(v. 18) In reference to the pastor’s pay, The
Scripture says that we should not prevent the "ox" from eating well
while he is working.
In addition the Scripture tells us that those
that labor in God’s vineyard are worthy of their wages.
We are not to delight in (Gr. paradechou) an
accusation being made against a Church leader.
All accusations must be validated by two or
three witnesses.
If a Church attendee continually lives in
sin, the Church leadership should condemn them openly and honestly.
Churches should not fear this action, but
many do.
Paul charged Timothy to keep a vigilant watch
over those things committed to him.
Each Christian has that same charge.
This verse tells us to avoid things due to
"partiality" or favoritism (Gr. proskleesin).
Raising a spiritually immature person to a
place of leadership too quickly can have adverse consequences.
Church leadership must be proven, mature
leadership.
I really wish the Paul had not written this
verse.
However, water was impure in those days, and
fermented wine did not have the same alcohol content as today’s wine.
In those days, drinking water exclusively,
could result in illness.
There are places today that drinking water is
not advised.
The sins of some are plainly seen—along with
their punishment.
For others, the revealing and subsequent
punishment is in the future.
This is the flip side of verse 24.
For some, their good deeds are not evident,
while for others, they are easily seen.