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1Timothy Chapter Five
Advice About Widows, Elders and Slaves
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1) How does Paul say to rebuke an older man,
how does Paul say to treat younger men, how does Paul say to treat older
mothers, and how does Paul say to treat younger women?
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Men in the ministry can avoid improper
attitudes toward women by treating them as family members. If men see women as
fellow members in God's family, they will protect them and help them grow
spiritually.
2) Who does Paul say to give proper
recognition to, why should the children or grandchildren of a widow care for
her, who puts her hope in God, what is a widow who lives for pleasure, why did
Paul say to give these instructions to the people, and what has anyone done who
does not provide for his relatives, especially for his immediate family?
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Paul wanted Christian families to be
self-supporting as possible. He insisted that children and grandchildren take
care of the widows in their families (5:4); he suggested that younger widows
remarry and start new families (5:14); and he ordered the church not to support
lazy members who refuse to work (2Thessalonians 3:10). Nevertheless, when
necessary, the believers pooled their resources (Acts 2:44-47); they gave
generously to help disaster-ridden churches (1Corinthians 16:1-4); and they
took care of a large number of widows (Acts 6:1-6). The church has always had
limited resources, and it has always had to balance financial responsibility
with generosity. It only makes sense for members to work as hard as they can and
to be as independent as possible, so they can adequately care for themselves and
for less fortunate members. When church members are both responsible and
generous, everyone's needs will be met.
Because there was no pensions, no social security, no life insurance, and few
honorable jobs for women, widows were usually unable to support themselves. The
responsibility for caring for the helpless naturally falls on their families,
the people whose lives are most closely linked with theirs. Paul stresses the
importance of families caring for the needs of widows, and not leaving it for
the church-so the church can care for those widows who have no families. A widow
who had no children or any other family members to support her was doomed to
poverty. From the beginning, the church took care of its widows, who in turn
gave valuable service to the church.
The church should support those who have no families and should also help the
elderly, young, disabled, ill, or poverty-stricken with their emotional and
spiritual needs. Often families who are caring for their own helpless members
have heavy burdens. They may need extra money, a listening ear, a helping hand,
or a word of encouragement. Interesting, those who are helped often turn around
and help others, turning the church into more a caring community. Don't wait for
people to ask. Take the initiative and look for ways to serve them.
Almost everyone has relatives, family of some kind. Family relationships are
so important in God's eyes, Paul says, that a person who neglects his or her
family responsibility has denied the faith. Are you doing your part to meet the
needs of those included in your family circle?
3) What rules did Paul give for putting a
widow onto a widow's list, and list the good deeds a widow should do to be able
to be put on the widow's list?
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Having defined a real widow as one bereft of
all relatives to take care of her, Paul now restricts the matter further by
saying that no widow under sixty years of age should be "put on the list." It
seems evident that an official list of widows was kept by each church and that
only these received material support.
Furthermore, she must have "been faithful to her husband" (lit., "the wife
of one man"). This is the same sort of expression as is found in the
qualifications for overseers (3:2) and deacons (3:12). As we noted there, this
does not mean "only once married," especially since Paul goes on in verse 14 to
instruct younger widows to remarry.
To qualify for enrollment, a widow must also be well know for her good
deeds, several of which are spelled out as essential if she were going to be
supported by the church. The first is "bringing up children." This would most
naturally refer to her own children but could also include the care of orphans.
The second is "showing hospitality." Next is "washing the feet of the saints;
this was an important courtesy whenever guests entered a house. The last two
duties are "helping those in trouble and devoting her-self to all kinds of good
deeds." (taken from The NIV Bible Commentary, Zondervan Publishers)
4) Who did Paul say not to put on such a list, what happens when the sensual
desires of a young widow overcome their dedication to Christ, for what reason do
they bring judgment on themselves, what do these young widows get into the habit
of, not only do they become idlers, what else did Paul say they become, what
does Paul counsel young widows to do, and what did Paul say some of the young
widows have already done?
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Regarding the widows under sixty years of
age, Paul instructs Timothy not to put them on the official list. Most of them
will become restless against the limitations of Christian widowhood and will
want to marry. If they do, they incur "judgment" because they have broken "their
first pledge," i.e., the solemn promise to be devoted only to Christ that they
made when they joined the list of widows.
Another risk with younger widows is that "they get into the habit of being
idle" or inactive. Instead of working, they go from house to house as "gossips
and busybodies." That is, they pick up private matters and spread them abroad,
and they meddle in things that do not concern them (cf. 1Thessalonians 3:11).
The consequences of such meddling can be tragic.
In view of these dangers, Paul advises "younger widows to marry, to have
children, to manage their homes," in order that they may "give the enemy no
opportunity for slander." "Enemy" means "adversary." Most think that the
reference here is to a human adversary, not to Satan (who is mentioned inverse
15). "Slander" (cf. 1Peter 3:9) is a stronger term meaning "abuse" or
"railing." Paul fears that the unfortunate conduct of younger widows might bring
serious reproach on the church. Some younger widows have already turned away to
follow "Satan." (taken from The NIV Bible Commentary, Zondervan Publishers)
5) If any woman is a believer and has widows
in her family, why does Paul say she should help them and not let the church be
burden with them?
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The female believer who has widows
dependent on her "should help them," so that the church will be free to spend
its time, money, and energy helping those who are truly needy widows (cf. verse
3). (taken from The NIV Bible Commentary, Zondervan Publishers)
6) Who did Paul say deserves double honor,
especially those whose work is preaching and teaching, what does Scripture say
not to muzzle while it is treading out the grain, who does Scripture say
deservers his wages, how many witnesses should there be to entertain an
accusation against an elder, and why are those who sin should be rebuke
publicly?
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Faithful church leaders should be supported
and appreciate. Too often they are targets for criticism because the
congregation has unrealistic expectations. How do you treat your church leaders?
Do you enjoy finding fault, or do you show your appreciation? Do they receive
enough financial support to allow them to live without worry and to provide for
the needs of their families? Jesus and Paul emphasized the importance of
supporting those who lead and teach us (see Galatians 6:6).
Preaching and teaching are closely related. Preaching is proclaiming the
Word of God and confronting listeners with the truth of Scripture. Teaching is
explaining the truth in Scripture, helping learners understand difficult
passages, and helping them apply God's Word to daily life. Paul says that these
elders are worthy of double honor. Unfortunately, however, we often take them
for granted by not providing adequately for their needs or by subjecting them to
heavy criticism. Think of how you can honor your preachers and teachers.
Church leaders are not exempt from sin, faults, and mistakes. But they are
often criticized for the wrong reasons-minor imperfections, failure to meet
someone's expectations, personality clashes. Thus Paul said that accusations
should not even be heard unless two or three witnesses confirmed them. Sometimes
church leaders should be confronted about their behavior, and sometimes they
should be rebuked. But all rebuking must be done fairly and lovingly, and for
the purpose of restoration.
7) Who did Paul charge the church in the sight
of, how was the church to keep these instructions, what did Paul tell the
church to do nothing out of, what does Paul tell them not to be hasty in, what
does Paul tell the church not to share in, and how does Paul tell them to keep
themselves?
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"Elect angels" are all those angels who did
not rebel against God like Satan did.
We must be constantly on guard against favoritism, against giving
preferential treatment to some and ignoring others. We live in a society that
plays favorites. It's easy to give special treatment to those who are gifted,
intelligent, rich, or beautiful without realizing what we are doing. Make sure
you honor people for who they are in Christ, not for who they are in the world.
Paul says that a church should never be hasty about choosing its leaders,
especially the pastor, because we may overlook major problems or sins. It is a
serious responsibility to choose church leaders. They must have strong faith and
be morally upright, having the qualities described in 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9.
Not everyone who wants to be a church leader is eligible. Be certain of an
applicant's qualifications before asking him or her to take a leadership
position.
8) Why did Paul tell Timothy to stop drinking
water and drink a little wine?
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It is unclear why Paul gave this
advice to Timothy. Perhaps contaminated water had led to Timothy's indigestion
and so he should stop drinking only water. Whatever the reason, this statement
is not an invitation to overindulgence or alcoholism.
9) What did Paul say is obvious, where did
Paul say these men are reaching ahead of them, what trails behind these men, and
what is obvious?
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Paul instructs Timothy to choose
church leaders carefully because sometimes their sins are not obvious and it
takes time for them to be revealed. Church leaders should live lives that are
above reproach.
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Answers to 1Timothy Chapter Five
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1) exhort him as if he were your father...as
brothers...as mothers...as sisters, with absolute purity
2) those widows who are really in need...for this is pleasing to God...the widow
who is really in need and left all alone...dead even while she is alive...so
that no one may be open to blame, he has denied the faith and is worse than an
unbeliever
3) she is over sixty, has ben faithful to her husband, is well known for her
good deeds...bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the
saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds
4) younger widows...they want to marry...because they have broken their first
pledge...idle and going about from house to house...gossips and busybodies,
saying things they ought not to...to marry, have children, manage their homes
and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander...turned away to follow Satan
5) so that the church can help those widows who are really in need
6) the elders who direct the affairs of the church well...the ox...the
worker...two or three...so that the others may take warning
7) God and Christ and the elected angels...without partiality...favoritism...the
laying on of hands...the sins of others...pure
8) because of your stomach and your frequent illness
9) the sins of some men...the place of judgment...good deeds
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Taken from The NIV Life Application Study Bible,
Zondervan Publishers
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