1 Timothy Chapter 5

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Introduction

This chapter embraces the following subjects: --

(1.) The proper method of admonition when others err -- to wit, an aged man should be entreated as a father, younger men as brethren, the aged women as mothers, and the younger with the pure feelings which one has for a sister, 1 Tim 5:1, 1 Tim 5:2.

(2.) Instructions respecting the proper treatment of widows, 1 Tim 5:3ff.

(a.) Those who were true widows were to be regarded with honour and respect.

(b.) Who sustained this character, 1 Tim 5:4ff. Those who had evinced piety at home in taking charge of those who were dependent on them, and who were steady in their devotions. No one was to be received into this number who was not of the age of sixty, who had been married to more than one man, and who had not given evidence in all the duties of domestic fidelity and charity, that she was imbued with the spirit of religion, 1 Tim 5:9, 1 Tim 5:10.

(c.) Those who were young were not to be admitted into this class, 1 Tim 5:11ff. The reasons given are, that they would marry again, or that they would be idle, and would be intermeddlers in the affairs of others. It was better, therefore, that they should marry, and have charge of a family of their own, 1 Tim 5:14, 1 Tim 5:15.

(d.) The duty of the individual members of the church to sustain helpless and dependent widows, if they had such among their relations, 1 Tim 5:16. In these verses 1 Tim 5:3ff it is evident that the apostle had his eye on a class of widows that sustained some such relation to other females as the elders did to the whole church. They were aged women to whom was intrusted the superintendence of the females of the church -- probably because from the customs then prevalent, men had much less liberty of access to the other sex, and much less freedom of intercourse was allowable than now.

(3.) The duty of supporting and honouring those who ruled in the church, 1 Tim 5:17, 1 Tim 5:18.

(4.) The suitable guarding of the rights of the elders in the church. No accusation was to be received, unless it was sustained by two or three witnesses, 1 Tim 5:19.

(5.) No one who was guilty was to be spared. All who sinned were to be publicly rebuked, 1 Tim 5:20.

(6.) A solemn charge is given to Timothy to keep these commandments, 1 Tim 5:21.

(7.) The statement of his duty not to ordain any person rashly or hastily to the sacred office, 1 Tim 5:22.

(8.) To guard his health, 1 Tim 5:23.

(9.) A declaration respecting sin -- -that sometimes it is open beforehand, and sometimes it is concealed till it is revealed at the judgment, closes the chapter, 1 Tim 5:24, 1 Tim 5:25.

The design of this closing statement seems to be, to show Timothy that he should not judge men by appearances, but that he should evince great caution in forming his estimate of their character.

Text

1: Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; edit

2: The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. edit

3: Honour widows that are widows indeed. edit

4: But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. edit

5: Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. edit

6: But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. edit

7: And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. edit

8: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. edit

9: Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. edit

10: Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. edit

11: But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; edit

12: Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. edit

13: And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. edit

14: I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. edit

15: For some are already turned aside after Satan. edit

16: If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. edit

17: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. edit

18: For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. edit

19: Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. edit

20: Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. edit

21: I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. edit

22: Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. edit

23: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. edit

24: Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. edit

25: Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. edit