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PAUL'S LETTERS TO TIMOTHY

Conduct with various people

1 Timothy 5

Introduction

In this chapter we see how Timothy, and of course the leaders of a church in general, should handle the various types of people found in it. There are both general and particular apostolic instructions - and everything comes from God "for our instruction".

Old and young men – verses 1 and 2

As a servant of God, the teacher of His Word, but yet a young man, Timothy must be exemplary in his treatment of others - not being proud or domineering, but having a gentle dignity that will attract respect from the church.

Older men (not necessarily elders) and older women - that is, all believers of advanced age - should be treated with respect and tenderness.

Young men and young women should not be treated in a spirit of superiority, nor with an inconvenient familiarity.

Widows – verses 3 to 16

Certain types of widows are considered in this passage, with respect to their behaviour and their sustenance, how they should be supported by the church or by their own relatives, or some other way.

a) the "true widow" (v.3), worthy of being sustained by the church, is that which, having been full of good works, has a notably Christian and irreproachable character (v. 5, 7, 10). She must be at least sixty years old, had been the wife of one man (v. 9) and is entirely without support - i.e. without children or grandchildren who might support her (v. 4).

This same verse 4 shows also the duty of children and grandchildren to sustain the widow (mother or grandmother) when needed, instead of thinking that is the obligation of the church to care for her (as seems to be the idea of some people). In this sense see also v. 8, where the word "his own" sometimes implies other people in addition to those of their household.

b) the "younger widows" (v. 11-15). The general rule is that widows less than 60 years old should not be fully sustained. Those under age and those married more than once, should not be entered in the list of widows sustained by the church.

The reasons given to justify this rule are the following:

1. Such young widows if sustained entirely by the church, might become frivolous and worldly, living irresponsibly and marrying randomly, thus bringing shame on the church by their conduct (v. 11-13). This had already happened in a certain place, says Paul (v. 15).

2. "Their first faith" (v. 12). This seems to refer to a promise or understanding between the widow and the church, to be inscribed on the list of supported.

3. Apostolic advice to younger widows (v. 14). The apostle wants them to marry, not frivolously (as in v. 11-13, but seriously) to a believer for husband and with the purpose of creating a new Christian home.

Note: Let us remember that today a woman, even if a widow, can obtain employment more easily than in those days and today there are also government pensions.

Overseers – verses 17 to 20

These are called "bishops" in 3:1-7. They must "oversee" or "rule" the church with respect to its doctrine and its order in general.

The word “honour” (v. 7) can mean either "great respect" or "salary, sustenance, honorarium"; without doubt, the latter sense is indicated here, by the citations of Deuteronomy 25:4; Matthew 10:10 and Luke 10:7.

Note: these quotes of Matthew and Luke are called here "Scripture", showing that these two books were already known and accepted by the church as part of Sacred Scripture.

Unfortunately, it is common, both today and in those days, to hear complaints and gossips against the leaders of a church. Such conversations are prohibited by Scripture (v. 19). A complaint against an elder must be made before the local assembly and proven by two or three witnesses, according to the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 19.15) and the word of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 18.16).

Verse 20 also refers to elders – those rightly condemned as per v. 19 for errors in doctrine or reprehensible conduct. These have to be reprimanded before "all" (the whole church), with a solemn warning to the whole congregation.

Various advices – verses 21 to 25

Here is a solemn exhortation to Timothy to be faithful in the practice of these teachings, which is sometimes difficult, but essential to ensure the smooth progress and testimony of a church. "The elect angels" - angels especially connected with the human race (Gabriel, Michael)? …

The recognition of elders, deacons, and others with responsibilities in the church must be done with extreme care (see 3:6,10); otherwise, even Timothy might find himself involved in the errors that they could make.

In v. 23 there is a particular advice with respect to the weak health of Timothy. Here we have no general license to use alcohol, even in moderation. On this matter. see the teachings of 1 Corinthians 10:31 -32 and Romans 14:21.

Verses 24 and 25 state - not only a general truth - that is, that the character, good or bad, of certain people is not easy to be recognized immediately - but they also say that this is an additional reason for the advice given in the v. 22: "Think well before you recommend someone to be an elder, deacon or other sort of servant of the church". How many times churches have suffered because they have neglected these apostolic instructions!

Richard Dawson Jones (1895-1987)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,
2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

 

 

 

 

3 Honour widows who are really widows.
4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
7 And these things command, that they may be blameless.
:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,
10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.
13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.
14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some have already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
18 For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE AN OX WHILE IT TREADS OUT THE GRAIN," and, "THE LABORER IS WORTHY OF HIS WAGES."
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.
20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

 

 

 

 

 

21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.
24 Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.
25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
1 Timothy chapter 5