Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity. Support widows who are genuinely in need. 1 Timothy 5:1-3
Taking Care of Family
Think about the last family you saw on a television show. Did they genuinely love each other and care for one another? Maybe and maybe not. Probably not.
Chapter five of 1 Timothy addresses how we are supposed to take care of both our physical family and our church family. It seems to be dealing with some specific issues that have come up for Timothy with the church at Ephesus. In addition, the beginning gives some general principles for church family interactions.
General Principles
“Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity. Support widows who are genuinely in need.” 1 Timothy 5:1-3
Treat the older men in the church like fathers and older women as mothers. Younger men are like brothers and younger women like sisters. The church family should be supporting widows who are in need. Are we just going to church and smiling and nodding? Or, are we truly living life with our church family like they are family members rather than acquaintances? I know I could do better with this one.
Specific instructions about widows
After reading this chapter, it seems that Timothy has been having to handle some people taking advantage of the church and misusing its resources.
Widows who have family that could be taking care of them have been asking to be supported by the church when their families should be stepping up and doing their part. Part of training in godliness (like we talked about last week) is taking care of our family members, especially those in need.
Worthy Widows
Paul and Timothy want to make sure that those widows who are truly in need receive help and the resources don’t get used up on those women who are not in dire straits. These worthy widows have put their trust in God alone and He is providing for them through the church.
“But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.” 1 Timothy 5:4-6
Worse than an unbeliever
Paul notes that he is giving these instructions also for the benefit of the families of the widow. If they are not providing for the widow in their family, they are considered worse than an unbeliever. It is a part of living a life of faith to provide for those in our families.
“Command this also, so that they will be above reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, and is well known for good works—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.” 1 Timothy 5:7-10
What about younger widows?
Some of the younger widows have been causing division and neglecting their own household duties. These widows are encouraged to remarry and live full lives again.
“But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge. At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us. For some have already turned away to follow Satan. If any believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.” 1 Timothy 5:11-16
Instructions about Elders
The next section of this chapter addresses how we are to treat the elders of the church. We should care for the good leaders of our church, provide for them, and protect them from false accusations. Those who are sinning and leading others astray should be dealt with and no elders should be chosen too quickly. We should focus on righteousness and purity in all our dealings with our church family.
“The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.” Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid. I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. Don’t be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:17-22
Personal Remarks
This letter from Paul to Timothy ends with some personal remarks from a mentor to his good friend and protege. Timothy has been having a chronic stomach sickness and Paul recommends drinking some wine instead of all water. His comments about sin and good works are an encouragement for Timothy to guard against sin and consistently practice good works.
“Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later. Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.” 1 Timothy 5:23-25
It sounds like Timothy has a lot of stress from people in his congregation and has an illness causing him problems. He is in a season of life when it is probably difficult to encourage himself. Paul steps in and encourages him. Paul is caring for him like he is family, setting an example of concern and compassion.
1 Timothy 5 Action Step:
Think about how you interact with your church family. Are you building close family relationships with them? What is one way you can reach out and care for someone specific in your church this week?
Share your one thing in the comments on this post or under the 1 Timothy 5 post at www.facebook.com/devoinaction or tag me @devoinaction on Instagram – I’d love to hear what the Holy Spirit is telling you and see pics of your Bible journaling!
1 Timothy 5 Prayer:
Dear God, Thank you for your Word that addresses all kinds of specific issues in our lives. Help us to see how to put it into practice in our lives. Show us how to care for and live with our church families since they will be with us for eternity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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