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| Chapter 5 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren, 2 the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, in all purity. 3 ¶ Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety at home and to requite their parents, for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is indeed a widow, 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 charge them, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and especially 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 three score years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 well reported of 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 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 besides 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 It is my will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any man or woman who believeth have widows, let them relieve them and let not the church be burdened, that it may assist those who are widows indeed. 17 ¶ Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture saith, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn," and, "The laborer is worthy of his reward." 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, except before two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 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. 22 Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins. Keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thy frequent infirmities. 24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going on to judgment; and in some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand, but they that are otherwise cannot be hid. |
Paul now moves onto giving instruction for the care of the different groups in the church. v21 Timothy was warned not to show any favour to any one group. v1,2 The older members Timothy was considered a 'young man' and this could have made him ignore the older members of the church so Paul now encourages Timothy to have great love for the elder members, to treat them as your "mother and father" and the younger as your "brothers and sisters" v3-10 Because the men tend to die earlier for various reasons, today and in the early church, there were many widows. The early church showed great concern for the widows Acts 6:1-6; Acts 9:39. Jesus also referred to widows being used for gain by the Jewish leadership Luke 20:47; Mark 12:38-40; Matt 23:14. However, Paul said "make sure that they really are in need," Unfortunately people do accept handouts and charity when they do not need it, so taking it away from those who do need help. Paul now lists the required situations where a widow was to be helped or not. 1) If the widow has children or grandchildren, then they should look after the widow if they can. In those days there were no society care such as pensions or Government help as available in some countries today. v5 The church was not expected to care for all the widows in the city, the care should be for the believer widows in the church fellowship. Gal 6:10 v6,7 The widows the church helped must be worthy of the help given. v8 Paul makes a judgement on those who refuse to care for their relatives. v9 Paul suggests that only widows who were 60 plus years old are to be helped. Is not considered old today, but a widow of that age in the early church would not be expected to get married again. The "wife of one man" does not indicate that Paul was against widows remarrying but was indicating that the widow was not a divorced woman, this requirement was given for bishops 1 Tim 3:2 and deacons 1 Tim 3:12. It could not apply to a woman who remarried after the death of her first husband. v10 The widow should have faithfully served the Lord. "The children," if they were her children, they must have died or they would be caring for her, so it must be referring to helping orphans. She should have been full of hospitality for travellers, and the church fellowship, caring for their needs, even doing the job of a slave, "washed the saints' feet." . v11-13 Reasons for refusal: Younger widows are naturally open to remarry, though v12 may suggest that Paul was encouraging these to remain widows and serve the Lord. There was always the possibility that their marriage could be to an unbeliever. v13 Paul is suggesting that the young widows, if supported by the church might have time to spare and get involved in wrong activities. v14-16 What the young widows should do: v14,15 To remarry and have children, living in the Lord. To manage the affairs of the household, a good witness for the Lord, unfortunately it seems that some had already allowed Satan access because they had failed in their testimony. v16 Paul now reminds that the family should care for those widows in their family, they should not put the burden upon the church. v17-25 Behaviour of church leaders: These instructions seem to mainly apply to elders but the instructions can apply to deacons and pastors. Ephesus was not an easy church to lead, it appears that the 'youth' of Timothy was causing problems with some elders. It was also difficult for Timothy to follow on from the leadership of Paul. v17,18 Indicates that there were elders who were working full time for the church ministry, with the church financially supporting them. They should be worthy of this situation, not misusing it. v19-21 Church discipline has to be at the right level, not over strict or ignoring all problems. Church discipline is looked at in Matt 18:15-18; Romans 16:17,18; 1 Cor 5:1ff; 2 Cor 2:6-11; 2 Thess 3:6-16; 2 Tim 2:23-26; Gal 6:1-3; Titus 3:10. In these verses Paul examines discipline of church leaders. The purpose of any church discipline is to restore the person, to save the person, not turn them away from the Lord. v19 Timothy was told to make sure of all of the facts, as many witnesses as possible. Make sure also that there are witnesses of any accusations made by some one. Make any charges not in secret but before all other leaders, and possibly the fellowship. v20 Any punishment for one proved guilty must be open to the other leaders, not done in secret. v21 Make sure that the Word is the deciding factor, no personal feelings to be involved. v22,24,25 Choosing Elders Be careful in choosing leaders, some are able to hide their wrong life, examine all of the persons life carefully. To appoint a person in a position of leader or elder, who has a known sin and a life which is wrong with God, then you are becoming part of their wrong. v23 It appears that Timothy had a medical problem, Paul recommends that Timothy avoids water, which was known not to be very pure in New Testament times, and use a diluted wine, the alcohol destroying any infections in the water. |
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