1 Don't rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; 2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. 3 Honor widows who are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. 6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work. 11 But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; 12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 13 Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. 15 For already some have turned aside after Satan. 16 If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don't let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed. 17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain." And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." 19 Don't receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. 21 I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men's sins. Keep yourself pure. 23 Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. 24 Some men's sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. 25 In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can't be hidden.
Analysis Of The Chapter
This chapter 1 Tim. 5 embraces the following subjects:
(1) The proper method of admonition when others err - to wit, an aged man should be entreated as a father, younger men as brethren, the aged women as mothers, and the younger with the pure feelings which one has for a sister; 1-Timothy 5:1-2.
(2) instructions respecting the proper treatment of widows; 1-Timothy 5:3-16.
(a) Those who were true widows were to be regarded with honor and respect.
(b) Who sustained this character; 1-Timothy 5:4-7. Those who had evinced piety at home in taking charge of those who were dependent on them, and who were steady in their devotions. No one was to be received into this number who was not of the age of sixty, who had been married to more than one man, and who had not given evidence in all the duties of domestic fidelity and charity, that she was imbued with the spirit of religion; 1-Timothy 5:9-10.
(c) Those who were young were not to be admitted into this class; 1-Timothy 5:11-15. The reasons given are, that they would marry again, or that they would be idle, and would be intermeddlers in the affairs of others. It was better, therefore, that they should marry, and have charge of a family of their own; 1-Timothy 5:14-15.
(d) The duty of the individual members of the church to sustain helpless and dependent widows, if they had such among their relations; 1-Timothy 5:16. In these verses 1-Timothy 5:3-16 it is evident that the apostle had his eye on a class of widows that sustained some such relation to other females as the elders did to the whole church. They were aged women to whom was entrusted the superintendence of the females of the church - probably because from the customs then prevalent, men had much less liberty of access to the other sex, and much less freedom of contact was allowable, than now.
(3) the duty of supporting and honoring those who ruled in the church; 1-Timothy 5:17-18.
(4) the suitable guarding of the rights of the elders in the church. No accusation was to be received, unless it was sustained by two or three witnesses; 1-Timothy 5:19.
(5) no one who was guilty was to be spared. All who sinned were to be publicly rebuked; 1-Timothy 5:20
(6) A solemn charge is given to Timothy to keep these commandments; 1-Timothy 5:21.
(7) the statement of his duty not to ordain any person rashly or hastily to the sacred office; 1-Timothy 5:22.
(8) to guard his health; 1-Timothy 5:23.
(9) a declaration respecting sin - that sometimes it is open beforehand, and sometimes it is concealed until it is revealed at the judgment, closes the chapter; 1-Timothy 5:24-25. The design of this closing statement seems to be, to show Timothy that he should not judge people by appearances, but that he should evince great caution in forming his estimate of their character.
Rules to be observed in giving reproofs to the old and to the young, 1-Timothy 5:1, 1-Timothy 5:2. Directions concerning widows, 1-Timothy 5:3-16. Of elders that rule well, 1-Timothy 5:17, 1-Timothy 5:18. How to proceed against elders when accused, and against notorious offenders, 1-Timothy 5:10-21. Directions concerning imposition of hands, 1-Timothy 5:22. Concerning Timothy's health, 1-Timothy 5:23. Reasons why no person should be hastily appointed to sacred offices, 1-Timothy 5:24, 1-Timothy 5:25.
INTRODUCTION TO 1 TIMOTHY 5
In this chapter the apostle lays down rules about the manner of rebuking persons, suitable to their several ages; gives directions concerning widows, both old and young; and instructs Timothy how to behave towards elders in office on different accounts. The rules for giving reproof to old men, as fathers; to young men, as brethren; to elder women, as mothers; and to the younger, as sisters, are in 1-Timothy 5:1. Next follow the directions about taking care of widows, who are to be honoured and maintained by the church, that are widows indeed, 1-Timothy 5:3 not such who have relations that are capable of taking care of them, who ought to do it, and not burden the church; since so to do is an act of piety, a requiting parents for their former care and kindness, and is good and acceptable in the sight of God, 1-Timothy 5:4 but such who are desolate and alone, and have no husbands nor children, nor any to support their wants, but wholly depend on the providence of God, and are constant at the throne of grace crying for help and relief, which shows they are living Christians; whereas such who spend their time in sinful lusts and pleasures, are dead while they live; wherefore if members of churches, with respect to this business, would be blameless, they ought to take care of the former, and reprove the latter, 1-Timothy 5:5. And as for those persons who cast their poor widows upon the church, and will not provide for them, when they are able, they are to be looked upon as deniers of the faith, and to be worse than the Heathens themselves, 1-Timothy 5:8. The qualifications of widows to be taken care of by the church, besides those before mentioned, are, that they be sixty years of age, having been the wife of one man, and well known for their good works, some of which are particularly mentioned, 1-Timothy 5:9 but those who are under the age fixed, and especially are fit for marriage, and the procreation of children, should be rejected, because of their lasciviousness, idleness, tattling, and busying themselves about other people's matters; these, on the contrary, should be directed to marry, bear children, take care of household affairs, and give no occasion to the enemy to reproach and blaspheme; and the rather such advice should be taken, since there had been some sad instances of apostasy in such persons, 1-Timothy 5:11. And then the apostle repeats his order to believers, to take care of their poor widows, who were able to do it themselves, that so the church might not be burdened, and might be able to relieve such as were real and proper objects, 1-Timothy 5:16. And then follow rules with respect to elders in office, as that those that rule well, and labour in the ministry of the word, should be honourably maintained; which is confirmed by a passage of Scripture in the Old Testament, and by a saying of Christ's in the New, 1-Timothy 5:17, that an accusation should not be received against one of such a character, but by two or three witnesses, 1-Timothy 5:19 and that such of them that fell into any notorious sin should be publicly rebuked, in order to make others afraid to sin, 1-Timothy 5:20. And these things the apostle, in the most solemn manner, charges Timothy, in the sight of God, Christ, and the angels, to observe, without partiality, 1-Timothy 5:21. To which he adds, that he would not have him be hastily concerned in the ordination of anyone as an elder, lest he should involve himself in his sin, whereas by acting otherwise he would be free, 1-Timothy 5:22 and then inserts some advice to himself, to take care of his health, 1-Timothy 5:23 and concludes the chapter with observing, on occasion of what he had said, 1-Timothy 5:22 that some men's sins were open, and their characters were easily discerned, and others were private, and such were also the good works of others; which made the case either more easy or more difficult to determine what was to be done; and therefore nothing should be done suddenly and rashly, 1-Timothy 5:24.
(1-Timothy 5:1, 1-Timothy 5:2) Directions as to the elder and younger men and women.
(1-Timothy 5:3-8) And as to poor widows.
(1-Timothy 5:9-16) Concerning widows.
(1-Timothy 5:17-25) The respect to be paid to elders. Timothy is to take care in rebuking offenders, in ordaining ministers, and as to his own health.
SUMMARY.--Rules for Reproving. Honoring Widows. How They Should be Supported. Who are to be Taken into the Number of Widows. The Younger Widows. The Presbyters. A Charge Concerning Timothy's Death.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.