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Do not rebuke an elderly man,1 rather entreat him as a father, young men as brothers,2
| 1 | Do not rebuke an elderly man: Or, KJV: rebuke not an elder; WEY never a sharp reprimand; BER: do not chide; NEB: never be harsh. Given the Jewish background to the early Church where all had to rise when a man with gray hair entered the room, Paul makes sure the young minister remembers to be respectful to age. [Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31; 20:29] Though some render this elder, possibly regarding the office, most observe the context and apply it to an elderly Christian. Old age began at 40, priests retired at 50, and the mighty lived to be 80 or more. This injunction form Paul is just plain good manners. |
| 2 | Young men as brothers: “Young men” are mentioned in Proverbs 20:29, Acts 2:17; 5:10, 1 John 2:13, 14. Isaac is called a young boy at the age of 25. It seems fair to categorize young men as those between 20 to 39. Priests could begin to serve at 30. It is likely Timothy himself fell into this group and was encouraged to treat such as his brothers. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose 1 Timothy 5:1 [and 2] as the theme verse of chapter five – How to Treat Church Members. Paul outlines to Timothy how he is to treat and deal with men and women within the Christian Church. [1, 2] Timothy – likely because of his youth – is not to rebuke another elder. He should treat men as brothers and women as though they were his mothers or sisters – with all purity.
Paul next deals precisely with women and particularly widows. [3-16] Evidently there were women taking advantage of the Christian Church and so Paul outlines to Timothy how to determine and treat “genuine widows.” A widow’s children should take care of her and the burden not be placed on the congregation. Paul contrasts two kinds of widows and commands all widows to be above reproach. He gives strong warning regarding relatives who do not care for their own. They are “worse than infidels.”
Paul offers a list of requirements for a widow beyond sixty years of age: married in her life to only one man, well-know for her good works, reared children, demonstrated a fondness for strangers, washed the feet of saints and shown charity in all good works. In contrast to these are younger Christian widows who still follow sexual urges and have by their conduct abandoned Christ. Such women are characterized by laziness, spending leisure time going from house to house with idle gossip and injurious slander. Relatives should care for their own widows and let the congregation care for real widows in need.
Next Paul turns to how Timothy out to deal with erring elders. [17-25] Elders who preside in a fine manner are worthy of “double honor.” Paul cites the Nazarene in this regard, “For the worker is worthy of his wages.” Timothy is not to accept a charge against an elder based on one witness. If two or three witnesses accuse an elder then such a man must be “exposed before all” so the whole congregation will be in fear.
Paul exhorts Timothy to impartiality and never being hasty about appointing an elder. Timothy must keep himself pure. Paul counsels Timothy to cease drinking water – likely contaminated – but in its place drink wine as a cure for his stomach illnesses. Paul concludes this portion with a spiritual truism: Sins, as well as good works, become manifest one way or another.
Abba our Father bless hard working elders worthy of double honor.
[1 August 2002]
