1 Timothy 5:1-25 - Series on the epistles of Paul (121)

In chapter 5, Paul's instruction to Timothy is now directed to help him, and he means Timothy, and help us as ministers in how to deal with different brethren in the congregation. So, different situations. And so now he's going to be talking about how to deal with older man and older woman, and younger man, and younger woman, and widows. And these groups are all addressed in the section of this letter. So, the clear picture is that what comes out from this is that congregational relationships are like family relationships in the church. The clear picture was father, mother, sister, brother. The church is a family. God created family, and he's the father of the church family. God is not a dictator, nor is God the head of a corporate entity. It's actually a family. And that's why we read in Ephesians chapter 3. Ephesians chapter 3 verse 14 and 15. He says, For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Under him, under God, God the Father, the whole family is named. In other words, carries the name God. And so we have the gospel of the kingdom of God. We've got the household of God, or the house of God, the church of God, the angels of God, the son of God, the lamb of God, the children of God, the Israel of God, and many others. And so we all under God, and all we do is under that family name. And so that therefore describes our eternal relationship between each other and with God himself. And so let's go on reading now in verse 1. Verse 1 of 1 Timothy chapter 5. He says, Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, young men as brothers. Basically what he's saying here in first place is there is never a time that is acceptable to be unkind, rude, or rough in dealing with others, especially an older man in the congregation. You ought to treat that older person as your dad, as your father, and you ought to treat a younger man like a brother. And likewise that he says in verse 2, Older woman as mothers, young woman as sisters with all purity. Older woman as mothers. Let's look at example of a lady in the church. Yeah, we have in Romans 16, Romans 16 verse 13, Romans 16 verse 13. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. His mother and my mother. So Yah is that affinity to this lady that Paul had and saying greetings to Rufus' mother, which is also my mother because we are a family. So and then he says, and younger woman as sisters with all purity. We ought to treat those that are younger with purity. A minister is to conduct himself in a way so that there is no question about his purity, his motives, and what he's up to in dealing with young women. And so therefore the congregation should be a loving family, God's loving family. Now we're going to get on to the next section, and that is dealing with widows. That is from verse 3 through to verse 16. Now God says a lot about widows and also the fatherless. Let's just look at a few scriptures that talks about widows and the fatherless. Exodus 22. Exodus 22 verse 22. You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. Verse 23. If you afflict them in any way and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry. And my wrath will become hot and I'll kill you with a sword. Your wives shall be widows and your children fatherless.

And so we can see God is very concerned about the widows and the fatherless. Let's look at another scripture still in the law now in the Autronomy. 27 verse 19. Cursate is the one who perverts justice or perverts the justice, Jew, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow. So let's make sure that whatever justice is due, particularly to the stranger, the fatherless and the widow, is applied in a godly way.

And we also have another interesting scripture, which is in Psalm 68. Psalm 68. And that is verse 5. Psalm 68 verse 5. And we see that God is a defender of the widows.

Psalm 68 verse 5. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy habitation. And so widows and the fatherless, God is giving them extra support and help.

And these are very, very serious instructions. Now let's look at also at another three examples in the New Testament.

The first one I want to turn to is in Mark. Mark chapter 12. Mark chapter 12 verse 40.

And the eyes of Jesus speaking and says, you know, talking about these leaders, religious leaders of the time, specifically, he's talking about the word of the scribes in verse 38.

Verse 40. They like the best seats in the synagogues and the best places, feasts. Verse 40. Would the vow with those houses?

And for the pretense, make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation. The vow with those houses.

In other words, they take advantage of those that are, in a sense, defenseless. In Luke chapter 7, we see Christ resurrecting a son of a widow, the son of a widow.

In Luke chapter 7 verse 11. So this is one of the few times that Christ resurrects people like he did Lazarus.

But yeah, look at it in Luke 7 verse 11. Now, it happened the day after that he went into a city called Nain, and many of his disciples went with him in a large crowd. And when he came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother. And she was a widow.

And a large crowd from the city was with her. Then the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, do not weep.

And then he came and touched the coffin, the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still, and he said, young man, I say to you, arise.

And so he was dead, set up, and began to speak, and he presented him to his mother.

The fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, great prophet has risen amongst us, and God has visited his people, and this report about him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

And he asked Christ, resurrecting the dead son of a widow.

And then later in James chapter 1, where James is talking about under-filed religion, in James chapter 1, verse 27, pure and under-filed religion, before God and the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

And so dealing with widows, it's a very important subject in God's eyes, and Paul is emphasizing it here in the section in 1 Timothy chapter 5.

Now, this section from verse 3 to verse 16 can actually be divided into sub-sections.

One is from verse 3 to verse 8, which is talking about honor in verse 3, honor widows, and that is that section there.

And then the second section is from verse 9 through verse 16, which is talking about widows being taken into the number, put it into a specific list or a register, being accepted into a specific group, which we'll cover in a short moment.

So let's start with verse 3. Honor widows who are really widows.

You know, it's a widow that really, not just physically, but also spiritually, does not have anybody else supporting her.

It's really a widow. Just, you know, there's no family members or people that can help her or around her.

So it's somebody in a real need of physical and spiritual.

Verse 4, but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first show piety at home and to repay their parents, for this is good and acceptable before God.

Yeah, we see that the responsibility falls in first place on the family to look after a widow, not the church.

The church, in a sense, is a fallback position, like a safety net, so to speak.

So sometimes, however there are family members in the church that are so poor that they can't do much, but they can try to do the best they can.

Maybe go and help and assist in any way they possibly can. But that's what it says. Show piety at home.

So it's just not financial, but it's in whatever way they can.

Piety, this word, the Greek word is izabeia, and that is actually the word that I'm going to develop my sermon around this coming Sabbath, izabeia, or godliness.

And so piety, show piety, show godliness, the Greek word is izabeia, at home to repay their parents.

In other words, Yah is showing that...

so that children, in this case, are to fulfill their basic duties to help their parents, like the widow, when she can't look after herself.

And this is good and acceptable before God. They got to fulfill their godly responsibility.

In Mark chapter 7, Mark chapter 7, 9 through 13, we see a situation in which the leadership was using an excuse not to help their families.

Mark chapter 7, verse 9 through 13.

And he said to them, all too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your traditions.

For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and he who curses his father and mother, let him be put to death.

But you say, if a man says to his father and mother, whatever prophet you might have received from me is Coban, that is a gift to God, then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother.

And therefore, Christ said, you're making the word of God of no effect through your tradition, which you've handed down.

And many such things you do. So they were using a tradition for not helping their parents financially, where there was a need.

And therefore, they were breaking the fifth commandment.

Also, in 1 Timothy chapter 5, verse 17, 1 Timothy chapter 5, verse 17, which we will look at in a little bit more detail. But Yah is talking about elders who rule well, be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and Doctrine.

And so Yah, it's implying that there is a financial help to the elders.

But in this honor, the word honor, Yah, implies also financial support. And so in Mark 7, when it says, Honor your father and your mother, it would also imply financial support.

And therefore, if the family is providing that, then the church would have no need to support that widow.

Verse 5, now, she was who is a really widow and left alone. So she is a really widow and left alone. In other words, that there is no one else to help her. She's alone.

She does not have anyone else to help her. Trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers, nights and day.

They are the ones that really are in need. And those are the ones that we need to provide assistance for as a church.

Now continue in verse 6. But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.

Some a number of commentators say that it should read, For she who lives for pleasure.

In other words, it is a widow that indulges in maybe good eating or overeating, pampering a body in self-gratification, maybe a little bit luxurious, maybe a bit self-indulging type of life. She's not talking about criminal pleasures or direct sins, but just living a little bit above what maybe she should be living, you see.

And so maybe a life is a little bit wasteful, living a little bit beyond one's means. And therefore that person is not serving God, but serving himself or herself.

And therefore it's not deserving that help. So a widow, in other words, that hasn't cut back the lifestyle towards the situation that he or she is in, and then it's expecting the church to provide.

The church obviously will help where there is need, but it's not going to help to that level of putting a person into a very quote-unquote affluent lifestyle.

Verse 7, and this is how you should instruct them and instruct the church. It says, and these things command that they may be blameless. In other words, Paul should instruct the widows and not just the widows, the church, so that they, the widows and the church, they will be blameless in how they act.

They acting according to God's will. Verse 8, but if anyone does not provide for his own, especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

And so that take care of does not provide for his own. Take care of may include other things, obviously, besides money, could just be companionship.

Usually, people, all the people, quite often feel very lonely. And maybe some other ladies can, other widows can help those widows in companionship. And they are things that others can do.

And so it is taking care of them and or helping them in something that they can help. If they are in a position to help, they should try and do what they can.

So that is the first section to honor the widows from verse 3 to verse 8. Now, the second group from verse 9 through verse 16 is talking about those, I beg your pardon, that that will be taken into a number. Let's say it into a list. So let's read verse 9. Do not let a widow under 60 years old be taken into the number and not unless she has been the wife of one man.

In other words, she's been a faithful lady and she's now widowed and she is an elder person.

At that time, Paul set a bar for 60 years old.

I do not know of any situation where the Church of God has set a bar of a certain age today, but it's just a person that is a younger widow that is not to be taken into that number. Now, what is that number? Basically, it's a bit speculative what that number is.

Could it be that receive financial assistance from the Church? Or could it be that they put into a certain team or group of elderly ladies that provide special services for the Church? Those special services or help could be help the needy, help the orphans, help the sick, visit those in need or in prison.

At that time, maybe they were Christians because of being Christian, they were put into prison, or even help younger mothers and encourage them. So there could be a number of things that that number or that group of people that were identified with the need that the Church had at that time and those elderly people could assist.

But if they are under that certain age bracket, as he has it, they should not be in that number, in that group.

You see, because there are some ladies that were providing great works and charitable deeds.

Look at Acts chapter 9 verse 36.

Acts chapter 9 verse 36. We have here the case of Tabitha or Dorkus.

Acts chapter 9 verse 36. Okay, at Joppa, there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorkus. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds, which she did. So Yahweh was a lady full of good works and charitable deeds.

So the Church, to older people and people with needs, will provide, for instance, as needed as possible, third-time assistance. But some of those people, some of those elderly people, were still possibly in good health, and they could serve the Church in some special way or maybe help the ministry.

Obviously, it just doesn't say what specific things that group was doing, but it surely was a group that provided services to the Church, and maybe they received financial assistance as well. Now let's read verse 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. So Yah is a list of different acts of servitude that she's known for, that she has a good reputation of.

And today, those specifics will be applicable, but maybe even others. And so that is the example that is given here, that widow, that is older, that is providing these types of services.

Verse 11, But refuse the younger widows, for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry. And so what do we have? Easy hour, when maybe their sexual desires are still quote-unquote alive, they then desire to marry and they feel, well, you know, we can't serve as much as we want because we want to do other things.

And so in verse 12, Have in condemnation because they've cast off their first faith. And what it means is they made a pledge or a commitment to be in this group of service and then, well, no, I don't want to do that anymore. I want to get married. And so they broke the pledge. They broke their word. They were to serve the church in a special way. They pledged to serve the church. And now they turned back from it. Exactly what it is, the matter is not clear. Once again, we cannot speculate. But Paul is saying into this group rather only the older ones. So it's not going to give an opportunity for the younger ones to make a promise to serve in this area. And then later on, for some reason or other, maybe they want to remarry or whatever it is, they break that pledge to serve. And so now continuing in verse 13, and besides, they learn to be idle, wondering about from house to house, and not only idle, but also gossips and busy bodies, saying things which they could not. And so these younger women that have still a lot of energy and things like that, now they're kind of using the time in unproductive things. Could it be in gossiping and in saying things to others that should not be said, etc. So it's better not to get into that habit if they, in other words, have too much time in their hands. Maybe they should get a job, they should do something else, because they're still younger and not put into that group of service that Paul is defining. Yeah. Verse 14, therefore, I desire that the younger widows marry their children. So we're talking about a woman that's still childbearing, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. In other words, it's the young childbearing woman, and it's basically just giving us basic principles for us in today's age.

They're just broad principles that we as ministers have to apply as best as we can to our current modern-day situation. Maybe there are specific programs that they can get involved in the community, etc. But yeah, we're talking about women that can actually do other things and they're younger.

Obviously, there are always exceptions. For instance, there might be a young woman that became a widow, has little children, and she needs to be around to provide for those children, to take care of them, etc. You know, each case has its own merits. And so we can't just blank, blank, in one blank statement, put everybody, paint them with the same paintbrush.

We got to use the sermon and make sure we're making the right decision and provide the right advice as needed. Because some have already turned aside after Satan. In other words, they went the wrong way, and then they opened themselves to things that they shouldn't do, like gossip and busy bodies, etc., and giving an opportunity for Satan to cause problems. Verse 16. Now verse 16 is like a summary of what it is said, which says, If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relive those who are really widows.

And so Yahweh is an example that Ann Paul is saying this in this section for the third time. In verse 4 said, you know, show that service at home to their parents. In verse 8 as well, it says, must provide for his own. And now in verse 16 for the third time, it says, you know, look after those in your own family, and let them relieve them, you know, let them take the burden that they have.

It was like the family provide so that the church can provide for those that are really widows. So Paul emphasized that point three times in this brief section. Now we move to verses 17 through 25. In this section of Paul giving different instructions to Timothy, and now he's giving instructions to Timothy and to elders about working with elders within the congregation. So let's just read verse 17 and 18. Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

Double honor. It's not necessarily means that's double the salary. That double honor could be honor in remuneration and honor in receiving proper respect. You see, if he does a good job, double honor, therefore, could refer to very things as I mentioned remuneration and respect. Now, there's nothing wrong with remuneration to ministry.

Let's look at a few two examples in Old Testament. The first one is in Numbers 18. Numbers 18 verse 8. Numbers 18 verse 8. And the Lord spoke to Aaron, Yeah, I myself have also given you charge of my offerings, all the holy gifts of the children of Israel. I have given them as a portion to you and your sons. In other words, as an ordinance forever.

In other words, that's to the priesthood. Verse 21 says basically the same thing. Behold, I've given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel, as in the inheritance of return for the work, which they perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting. And in verse 24, for the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heath offering to the Lord, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance. Therefore I've said to them, among the children of Israel, they shall have no inheritance.

And so the children Levi and the priesthood were to be remunerated. Also in 2 Chronicles chapter 31, 2 Chronicles chapter 31 verse 4. Moreover, he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute support for the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the law of the Lord.

And so there was support to the priests and Levites. There is also an example in the New Testament, and that is in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. 1 Corinthians chapter 9 starting in verse 3.

1 Corinthians chapter 9 starting in verse 3. He says, my defense to those who examined me is this. Do we have no right to eat and drink? Do we have no right to take along a believing wife as to the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord and Paul and Pilate Cephas? Continuing in verse 4 and 5, we can see that they had that right, but they were not abusing that right.

They were not doing, demanding that because it's like we in the church. We don't abuse that right. Our work of the publication and our literature and everything is given freely. We don't abuse that right. We don't ask for money. Those that want to give, they welcome to give. We can see in the following verses, Yah, in 1 Corinthians chapter 9.

For instance, Yah in verse 9, it says, is it for it is written in the law of Moses, you shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain. And we can see further, verse 14, even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

So we can see that there was an instruction that ministry could receive or live from the tithes. Continue now in 1 Timothy chapter 5. He talks about let elders who rule well be counted worthy and especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. In certain words, elders that have the responsibility to teach the word and doctrine.

Now in chapter 3 of 1 Timothy chapter 3 verse 2, we can see that a bishop is one at the end of verse 2. 1 Timothy chapter 3 verse 2 is one that he's able to teach. So yes, all elders should be able to teach. In other words, labor in the word and doctrine.

And then it also talks about all the elders in verse 17 of 1 Timothy 5 verse 17, let the elders rule well. Now that ties in to 1 Timothy 3 verse 4, then it says, one who rules his own house well, having children in submission with all reverence. So ministers are to rule well in their family. And so Paul is saying those that have that capability, that are ruling well, and not only their family, but in this case would be the church, and also who labor in the word and doctrine.

In other words, that are faithful to the doctrine soundness that we have. Now, this book of 1 Timothy, as we showed in the first chapter in the beginning, it focuses on doctrinal soundness. This is a major theme in this letter. And so Paul is saying the elders who rule well, and they are working hard in making sure that the doctrine remains sound, that those elders are worthy of double honor. In other words, not only remuneration, but also respect.

So that is the meaning of this section. And then in verse 18, backs that up by saying, for the scripture says, you shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain, and the laborer is worthy his wages. So it should be remunerated, and also it should be respected. Now we go to verse 19 and 20, and that is when there are problems against elders, because verse 17 and 18 is when elders are doing well, are ruling well, and abiding by the doctrine and teaching. Now verse 19 and 20 is when there is some accusation or some complaint.

Yeah, it says verse 19, do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses, and those who are sending rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. And so in first place, there should be two or three witnesses. Now this is nothing new. We get that from Deuteronomy right there at the beginning. Deuteronomy 17 in the law of verse 6. Deuteronomy 17 verse 6.

Let's just read it. Read it. Deuteronomy 17 verse 6. Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses. He shall not put to death on the testimony of just one witness. And so when there is a serious situation, the principle of two witnesses is there. We also can see in Deuteronomy 19 verse 15. 19 verse 15. One witness shall not rise against the man concerning any inequity or any sin that he commits. By the mouth of two or three witnesses, the matter shall be established. So we need more than just one witness, two or three witnesses.

So that is the instruction. Now, going back to 1 Timothy chapter 5, where it says, do not receive an accusation against an elder. Basically elders do receive many false accusations. And sometimes it requires a little bit of investigation to see whether that's true or not. There's nothing wrong with sometimes just getting all the facts.

But the point is, don't give heed to gossip or accusations that don't have a backing. So an investigation or a procedure to check whether that's true or not may be required. But we're not going to receive that accusation unless there are those facts or those witnesses.

So in verse 20 says, those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. Those who are sinning are to receive a rebuke in the presence of all. Is it of all elders or of all congregation? Well, I would say that it's not specific. And therefore, the circumstances may vary. It may sometimes be just in front of all elders. That's fine. The point is sometimes there's a need for openness and discretion. But it's not talking now about a sin that disqualifies one from being an elder. You know, it's not necessarily.

It's just some sort of accusation. Hey, this was done or this was said, you know. Well, is there more witnesses or not? So also, the sin does not have to be made public. In 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 8 says, love covers a multitude of sins. And so it does not have to be made public. But the rebuke can still be known. For instance, discharge from duties without necessarily knowing the specifics. Sometimes we just it's not necessary to know the specifics.

Proverbs 19 verse 25. Proverbs 19 verse 25. It's a scripture that is applicable. Yeah. Proverbs 19 verse 25. 20 verse 25. All right. Strikas kophir and the simple become weary. Rebuke one who has understanding and he will discern knowledge. So that will rebuke may therefore be something to say, whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm going to grow. I'm going to be careful. I'm not going to do it again.

I'm going to change. And so that rebuke may be something that that the person would learn from and become a better person. Now, verse 21. Verse 21 reads, 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. So he says, I charge. That means Paul takes very serious responsibility to supervise elders.

It's very important to deal with, let's call it wayward elders. In other words, some elders that want to have their own way, straying from expected behavior or ethics or the difficult to guide or control or whatever it may be. So it's Paul is saying, charging these duties with a very serious responsibility because he says before God and before the angels, before it says before God and before Christ and the angels, that you observe these things.

You know, what's observed these things is observe these instructions from verse 19 through verse 20. In other words, make sure you don't fail to faithfully honor elders who rule well and are sticking to the doctrine. And secondly, make sure you don't fail to censure those who are somehow deviating from some of these details.

It says, yes, sinning, but it's not necessarily a sin, quote unquote. It's just it appears to be more along the line that they deviating in some way from either teaching exactly the truth or deviating in some way. In some other thing, whatever it is, one does not need to know what it is. And so he says, don't fail to honor and don't fail to censure when there is a need, because if we fail to censure, that would ruin the congregation.

So Timothy is encouraged to fulfill his duties. That's what he says, to observe these things without prejudice. Doing nothing with partiality is to exercise these duties without prejudice and without partiality. Now, verse 22, he says, do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins. Keep yourself pure. In other words, do not ordain elders quickly. Do not ordain deacons quickly. In other words, don't ordain hastily somebody, because then you could be partied against the sin of other people's problems, because maybe you haven't known all those sins because you are dying in a rush or quickly.

The church in Antioch, for instance, we read in Acts 13, verses 1 through 4, that they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas to set them aside or separate them to do God's work, to be elders. And therefore, we've seen in 1 Timothy, in chapter 3, that Paul set out clear standards for elders and deacons and deaconesses, but yeah, in this section he emphasized the need to wait. You know, it was to make absolutely certain, because appointing the wrong person to leadership will potentially create many other serious problems.

And so by laying hands, we are held accountable if that person is not really quite ready. Then in verse 23, Paul says, let no longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

Now, wine is clearly the Greek word oinos, which is clearly wine. But why is this in this context? Well, because Paul is concerned that Timothy might not be drinking wine at all. Maybe he was afraid not to offend anybody. And so that could be one reason. There's nothing wrong, because he said in 1 Timothy 3, verse 3, he says an elder should not be given to wine. So it's not that he is given to wine, but you're okay to take a little wine. And particularly in your case, with your health, that might be helpful to you. Remember that they were fighting Gnostics and people with that were ascetics, that everything physical was sinful. And maybe Timothy was concerned of getting some opposition by drinking a little bit of wine in front of others. And because of that, he didn't want to create any offense. But Paul is saying, listen, it's okay. Drink a little bit of wine, particularly because you do have certain frequent infirmities. So that could help you. And then he continues now in verse 24. He says, some men's sins are clearly evident, proceeding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. And so he's talking in the context of ordaining people. So sometimes we can see the fruits straight away. Other times we can't see. They're not clearly evident. And so that's why you've got to give them time. That's why he says, don't lay hands on anyone hastily. We need patience and discernment before ordaining an elder. And in concluding in verse 25, he says, likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident and those that otherwise cannot be hidden. And so good works often are evident, but sometimes they're only evident later. But Paul, yeah, with that, ended this section with instructions to a few of the brethren, the young men and older men, the young ladies and older ladies, also to elders. And the next section is going to conclude this epistle with instructions to leaders and different areas of concern. And then he concludes with a specific instruction to Timothy himself, which will then continue next week.