1 Timothy 5
CHAPTER 5
Commands about widows
Do not rebuke an elder but exhort him as a father. The younger men as brothers. 2 The elder women as mothers. The younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honour widows that are indeed widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show devotion towards their own family and to repay their parents. For this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she that is indeed a widow and alone has her hope set on God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 These things also command, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own family and specially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let no one be registered as a widow who is under sixty years old. Only register those who have been the woman of one man and 10 well reported of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has used hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has helped the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
11 But refuse to register younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for slander. 15 For already some are turned aside after Satan.
16 If any woman that believes has widows in her family, let her help them and let not the church be burdened, so that it may help those that are indeed widows.
Commands about elders
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and in teaching. 18 For the scripture says: You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his wages.
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. 20 Those elders that sin, reprove in the sight of all, so that the rest may also be in fear. 21 I instruct you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands hastily on no one, and do not participate in other's sins. Keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink only water; instead use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.
24 Some men's sins are evident, preceding them to judgment; but those of others follow them there later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
Commentary
5:4 Parents aren’t to be forgotten, but to be cared for- a principle seriously overlooked in many parts of the world.
5:8 Provide for his own family- The context is talking about looking after elderly parents (v. 4). God’s word here gives an unusually strong condemnation for those who don’t do this.
5:14 Rule the household- The believing woman is ideally intended to serve in the domestic sphere.
5:18 Paul clearly supported the idea of a paid ministry, even though he himself chose not to take advantage of this in Corinth (1 Cor. 9:4-12) and Thessalonica (1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8). There are times and places and contexts where it’s better not to do some things which we could legitimately do, for the sake of others; the example we set may be misused, or misinterpreted.
5:24,25 All our sins and good works will be openly revealed at the day of judgment in front of everyone; so we shouldn’t be hypocritical in this life, nor should we grieve that our good works aren’t noticed or valued. For the day shall come when they will be.
