1 Timothy 5:1-8
1: Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,
2: the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3: Honor widows who are widows indeed;
3: Honor widows who are widows indeed;
4: but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
5: Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.
6: But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives.
7: Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.
8: But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Paul told Timothy how to relate to fellow believers of various ages. He had told him not to let anyone look down on his youthfulness (1 Timothy 4:12) yet that didn’t mean he should not respect his elders. Paul instructed him to treat the older men as fathers and the older women as mothers. If an older man needed correcting, he was to do so as a respectful appeal rather than a sharp rebuke. The younger men he was to treat as brothers, the younger women as sisters in all purity. By treating members of the opposite sex respectfully he would maintain sexual purity in both appearance and intent.
Then Paul began a discussion on widows. To "honor" the widows meant they would be put on the church list for charity—food distribution (Acts 6:1). He said if they were truly widows then they were to be given this honor. However, there were conditions to consider before this should happen. First, if the widow had children or grandchildren, they should take care of her, not the church. God’s design is for family to take care of family. Only those widows who were truly alone and who trusted in God, remained faithful to Him in prayer and devotion were to come under the church’s care.
If the family cared for their widows first, or the church if the widow had no family, then there would be no need for any governmental assistance in these cases. It is preferable for widows to be cared for by those who have a relationship with her. They will care for her more personally and affectionally than anyone else. Yet those widows who pursue a life of pleasure and luxury, who are dead in spirit, are not to be given charity. Paul said to implement these things, so they are above reproach.
Paul then reiterated the fact that everyone should be providing for his own, especially those of his own household. Those who do not do so are worse than the unbelievers. He went so far as to say they had denied the faith. We might apply 1 John 4:20 which says, “One who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” Even unbelievers care enough for their own to take care of them when they are in need. How much more should Christians excel in taking care of their own family?
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Paul told Timothy how to relate to fellow believers of various ages. He had told him not to let anyone look down on his youthfulness (1 Timothy 4:12) yet that didn’t mean he should not respect his elders. Paul instructed him to treat the older men as fathers and the older women as mothers. If an older man needed correcting, he was to do so as a respectful appeal rather than a sharp rebuke. The younger men he was to treat as brothers, the younger women as sisters in all purity. By treating members of the opposite sex respectfully he would maintain sexual purity in both appearance and intent.
Then Paul began a discussion on widows. To "honor" the widows meant they would be put on the church list for charity—food distribution (Acts 6:1). He said if they were truly widows then they were to be given this honor. However, there were conditions to consider before this should happen. First, if the widow had children or grandchildren, they should take care of her, not the church. God’s design is for family to take care of family. Only those widows who were truly alone and who trusted in God, remained faithful to Him in prayer and devotion were to come under the church’s care.
If the family cared for their widows first, or the church if the widow had no family, then there would be no need for any governmental assistance in these cases. It is preferable for widows to be cared for by those who have a relationship with her. They will care for her more personally and affectionally than anyone else. Yet those widows who pursue a life of pleasure and luxury, who are dead in spirit, are not to be given charity. Paul said to implement these things, so they are above reproach.
Paul then reiterated the fact that everyone should be providing for his own, especially those of his own household. Those who do not do so are worse than the unbelievers. He went so far as to say they had denied the faith. We might apply 1 John 4:20 which says, “One who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” Even unbelievers care enough for their own to take care of them when they are in need. How much more should Christians excel in taking care of their own family?
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