1 Timothy Chapter 5

1 Timothy 5:1-16 “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 Honor 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 (widowed parent), 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.”

Paul gave Timothy very practical instruction and advice in regard to dealing with widows.  The church and believers were responsible for taking care of widows in early New Testament times.  They did not have Social Security and other social programs that we have today.

 1Timothy 5:17-20 “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 (elders) who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

This was more practical instruction from Paul to Timothy, his son in the faith and pastor of the church in Ephesus.  The elders who labored in the word and doctrine needed to be financially compensated. 

 

1 Timothy 5:21-24 “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.

Paul told Timothy not to lay hands on anyone and ordain them into the ministry in a hasty manner.  If Timothy ordained someone into ministry without  proving their character over a period of time, he would be embarrassed if that person fell into sin.  Some men’s sins are easily seen, but some men’s sins are hidden from sight and are revealed only with time.  It was best for Timothy to be patient in appointing people into leadership for this reason.  Some people have speculated that Timothy had experienced a lot of problems in this area as the leader of a large church.  The stress was causing him to suffer frequent infirmities from all of the stress.  This could have been the reason Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine.  Others have said it was due to the contaminated water that Timothy was drinking.  Alcohol in wine kills germs.  These are only speculation.  It is interesting that this verse about using wine is inserted between these two verses about the stress of ordaining people into ministry.  

  

Keith Oliver