day 3

Read 1 Timothy 5
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy+5&version=NIV
5:1–2 This section teaches how to view members of the congregation while trying to move them on to maturity. The family perspective is based on God’s desire to save all people. Dealing with people in the body of Christ is a practical extension of what it means to be thinking like God. The section covers honor for widows (5:3–16), leaders (5:17–25), and masters (6:1–2). The key throughout the chapter is respect, and Paul encouraged Timothy to show respect appropriately to each group of people in the church (5:3, 17; 6:1). Timothy is to continue appealing to the older men rather than issuing sharp rebukes.

5:3–16 Believers have an obligation to care for widows in the church. This is first a family responsibility (5:4, 8, 16) but becomes a church responsibility when there is no family available (5:16). Not all widows were qualified to receive financial support from the church. Those who did qualify took a “pledge” (5:12) and were placed on a “list” (5:9). These widows were apparently prayer warriors who committed themselves to serving the church. The age qualification would mean that there would be no chance for remarriage (5:9; cf. 5:14). The phrase “devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds” (5:10) is a reference for sacrificial service to others (cf. John 13:1–17). On the phrase “faithful to her husband” (5:9), see the male counterpart in 3:2. Some young widows had already allowed Satan to lead them into sin (5:15). The final case (5:16) is a woman, probably a widow herself, with dependent widows.

5:17–21 The use of the words “recognition” (5:3) and “respect” (6:1) show that “double honor” (5:17) refers to possibly high esteem, not money (Matt. 10:10; 1 Cor. 9:1–14). “Elders” (5:17; cf. 3:1) have the responsibility of superintending the affairs of the church. The quotations of 5:18 are taken from Deuteronomy 25:4 and the words of Christ in Luke 10:7 and Matthew 10:10.

Honor must also relate to a leader’s reputation (5:19–21). Although high standards had been set for elders (3:1–7), Paul knew that their office would not make them immune to sin. Here Paul applied the principles of church discipline (Matt. 18:15–18) to the case of a sinning elder. Discipline of leadership must be founded on fact, not rumor. The requirement for several witnesses was a Mosaic command (Deut. 17:6; cf. Matt. 18:16; 2 Cor. 13:1). The purpose of the public rebuke was to give a warning (5:20). It is debated whether the public rebuke (a reproof that brings conviction) applied only to the elder who continued in sin or to any elder who sinned on a particular occasion. The purpose “that others [of the elders] will have a proper fear of God” may favor the latter viewpoint.

No partiality was to be shown to certain elders of the church (5:21). This relates to allowing accusations to be received for some and not others, publicly rebuking some and not others, laying hands on some and not others.

5:22–25 The section of 5:22–25 concerns freedom from sin and care in ordination. Timothy was careful to avoid any appearance of evil and totally abstained from alcoholic beverages at the expense of his personal health (5:23). Paul explained that keeping himself free from sin (5:22) did not necessitate his abstaining from a medicinal use of wine (cf. Prov. 31:6–7; Luke 10:34).
Paul warned against the hasty appointment of an elder to office (5:24–25). While many have understood Paul to be forbidding a hasty ordination, the context seems to suggest that the concern was over a hasty restoration of a leader to his former position after discipline. The principle of caution would apply in both situations. The key idea here was that an elder is known by his fruits. While some men’s character immediately disqualifies them from the office, the character of others will be revealed only with the passing of time. Both the good (5:24) and the bad (5:25) will ultimately be apparent. The judgment of 5:24 concerns the evaluation of a person’s qualifications for leadership, not necessarily the final judgment of God.

Discussion & Reflection question

Think about the care of older persons today with that of Paul’s teaching in chapter 5? How are we doing today compared to then? Where can we/ you improve?