(What you will find here are my notes from a Bible Study on 1 Timothy. I hope they will prove helpful. The text that I am using in the New American Standard Bible. Here are other Bible translations that were used: KJV – King James Version. AMP – Amplified Bible. MSG – Message Bible. BBE – Bible in Basic English. UDB – Unlocked Dynamic Bible. NET – New English Translation.)
Instructions for the Church
1Tim 5:1 “Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,”
Notice here that Paul is giving a command to Timothy. “Do not” –
“sharply rebuke” AMP – sharply reprimand; MSG – harsh or impatient; BBE – sharp words;
We are not to “hit or beat up” older men with our words.
“to an older man” – some would take this as a position of higher authority but most take it as a matter of age. Age itself seems to be a relative concept – when you ask a person, “How old is old?” you are going to get various responses from various people. When I was 12 I thought that 21 was old. But our perspective of “old” changes as we age. The UDB translates it thus: “Do not speak harshly to a man older than yourself.” We are to treat older men as if we are appealing to them as fathers.
But then Paul includes how we are to treat others as well. (Younger Men – Older Women – Younger Women)
This would seem to fill the whole gambit – except for children.
1Ti 5:2 “the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.”
Our relationship should as thus:
a. Treat Older Men as Fathers.
b. Treat Younger Men as Brothers.
c. Treat Older Women as Mothers.
d. Treat Younger Women as Sisters.
Our communication with others is always to be as if we are speaking to family members.
Men in the ministry can always avoid improper attitudes toward men and women by treating them as family members. If minister sees men and women as fellow members in God's family, they will protect them and help them grow spiritually.
1Ti 5:3 “Honor widows who are widows indeed;”
Paul now turns to the subject of widows. He will spend some time on this subject. (1 Timothy 5:3-16)
In the first part of this passage Paul breaks down widows into two categories:
a. First, there were the bereaved who had children or grandchildren who could support them.
b. Second, there were those who had no family to care for them, the bereft as well as bereaved.
Later he will address two other groups:
a. Younger widows who are below the age of 60.
b. Older widows who are 60 and above.
“widows indeed” AMP – truly widowed [alone, and without support]; MSG – widows who are destitute; NET – widows who are truly in need
1Ti 5:4 “but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.”
In this verse we find that children and grandchildren have a responsibility to the female members of the family who have become widows. It is their responsibility to see that they are taken care of properly.
Because there were 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 first on their families—the people whose lives are most closely linked with theirs. Paul stresses the importance of each family caring for the needs of its widows and not leaving it for the church. The church can then care for those widows who have no families. A widow who had no children or 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.
1Ti 5:5 “Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.”
The widow described in this verse is a widow – indeed. She has no one that she can turn to for support except God. She has no family members. This being the case turns to God for her help by offering up entreaties and prayers – night and day.
Barnes has said: “She has no one else to look to but God. She has no earthly reliance, and, destitute of husband, children, and property, she feels her dependence, and steadily looks to God for consolation and support.”
1 Ti 5:6 “But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives.”
This verse and verse 5 must be placed in context with one another. We have seen that she is to be a woman of prayer and entreaties – the opposite of this is a woman who gives herself to “wanton pleasure”.
“gives herself to wanton pleasure” KJV – liveth in pleasure; AMP – alives for pleasure and self-indulgence; UDB – lives for how she can please herself
1 Ti 5:7 “Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.”
Timothy is here instructed to instruct others – so that they may follow God’s will for their live and therefore be above reproach. God has a plan even for our daily living.
“prescribe” AMP – keep instructing; BBE – give orders; UDB – announce these things; NET – reinforce these commands
1 Ti 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
In this verse Paul again turns back the responsibility of family members to their own relatives. The first institution that God set up was the family. The family has the responsibility of taking care of their own. If you don’t care for your own family members, Paul says, That person “has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” This is an extremely strong rebuke.
When it comes to caring for relatives and honoring parents, children take most of their cues by watching how Mom and Dad honor the grandparents. If our children see the way we, as parents, care for our parents, they will understand the importance of such honor for us in the future. Healthy, practical honor becomes a priceless gift that one generation gives to another. Disrespect and lack of care provide harmful examples that will eventually turn on us. The warning in the verse is ominous indeed.
1 Ti 5:9 “A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,”
Two qualifications are listed in this verse:
a. she is to be over sixty years of age
b. she is to have been married to not more than one man
There seems to be some debate over what the second qualification, “having been the wife of one man”. Does this mean that she is not to have been married more than once, or does it mean that she is not to have more than one husband at a time?
The Message Translation seems to imply the first situation when it says: “married only once.” There are those scholars who hold to this view.
Also we must keep in mind that Jesus taught clearly that God does not like divorce and that a person who marries a divorced woman except for the situation of immorality – “commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:3-10, Mark 10:2-12) This being the case, any woman who had been divorced except for the proper reasons is not to be put on the list of qualifying widows. But what if a woman marries a second time after the death of her first husband?
Stedman has said of this verse, “…a woman was to be the wife of one husband. That has confused many people who have taken that to mean a woman could not be married more than once. Yet husbands died in those days; women at times were divorced in those days, so a widow could well have been married two or three times in the course of her lifetime. Take a prominent woman of today, like Elisabeth Elliot, who has been married three times. None of her marriages, failed -- her first two husbands died. If we were to take this the way some people do it would mean that a woman like that could not be enrolled. But in verse 14 Paul urges younger widows to marry and bear children, so he certainly does not mean that if they marry again, when they reached the age of sixty or more and subsequently lost their husbands they could not qualify.”
1 Ti 5:10 “…having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.”
The list of qualifications continues on in this verse:
a. she is to have a reputation for good works
b. she is to have been a good mother
c. she is to have shown hospitality to strangers
d. she is to have washed the saints’ feet
e. she is to have helped those in distress
d. she is to have devoted herself to every good work
Barnes has said: “A sincere Christian will, like God, be the friend of all that is good, and will be ready to promote every good object according to his ability. He will not merely be the friend of one good cause, to the neglect of others, but he will endeavor to promote every good object, and though from special circumstances, and special dealings of Providence, he may have been particularly interested in some one object of charity, yet every good object will find a response in his heart, and he will be ready to promote it by his influence, his property, and his prayers.”
1 Ti 5:11 “But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,”
The word “but” is a contrasting word set here to refer to verse nine. If the widow is less than sixty years of age she is not to be placed on the list. In fact “refuse” to do it. Then Paul gives his reasoning. It is because her desires may change.
“sensual desires” AMP – natural desires; BBE – desire to be married
There is nothing wrong for a woman to want to be married and have a family. Paul wants to leave the option open for a young widow to marry rather than obligating her to a life of celibacy and devotion to Christ. If she were to make a pledge to celibacy and serving Christ and then changed her mind – it would not be a good situation.
1 Ti 5:12 “thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.”
God expects us to keep our word. (Matthew 5:37, James 5:12) If a young woman makes a pledge to be totally devoted to Christ and then later decides to marry – she may feel a great amount of guilt and also judgment from those around her – “thus incurring condemnation”. Paul shows wisdom in this situation – leaving the option open for a young widow to marry. Later in life she could be added to the list.
1 Ti 5:13 “At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.”
Paul here continues his argument against putting young widows on the list. It seems if you were to do this they would become idle, but also become “gossips and busybodies”.
“gossips and busybodies” KJV – tattlers also and busybodies; AMP – gossips and busybodies [meddlers in things that do not concern them]; MSG – empty talk, gossip, and trivialities; BBE – talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others;
There is an old saying – “Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop.”
Remember – not all business that takes place is everyone’s business.
1 Ti 5:14 “Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;”
Constable has said: “Paul encouraged younger widows to remarry. In the ancient world most people expected that a widow would remarry. The apostle urged the younger widows to use their strength to bear children and to care for their families, the primary duties of a typical Christian wife. By remarrying, the younger widows would not give the enemy (any accuser of believers) an opportunity to criticize them for going back on their pledge to serve Christ as a "widow indeed."
Constable goes on to say: “Did Paul mean that every young widow, and perhaps every young woman, should get married and bear children? I think not. This was the typical role of a young woman in Paul's day and still is today worldwide. This seems to be another example of presenting the typical situation with room for exceptions assumed.”
1 Ti 5:15 “for some have already turned aside to follow Satan.”
Paul is telling us that there has already been a problem concerning young widows in the church. It is because of his eye-witness that he is giving his advise when it comes to how the church should help young widows.
1 Ti 5:16 “If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.”
If a Christian woman has a relative who is a dependent widow, it is the believer’s responsibility to care for them. The over-all principle here is that every person is to care of their family members. The book of Ruth in the Old Testament is a prime example of this concept. Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi feels obligated to care for her, even though she too is a widow. People who need assistance are to look to their family and friends first – the final option is the church.
1 Ti 5:17 “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”
“rule well” NET – provide effective leadership; UDB – lead them well; MSG – do a good job
Stedman has said: “It is unfortunate that the word rule is used here about an elder's work: "Let the elders who rule well..." That word implies that these men are bosses, that they are somehow in charge, that they are lords or governors in a congregation. But actually the word is, leads; it is the common word for leadership: "Let the elders who lead well be worthy of double honor." One who leads is not necessarily a boss. He does not drive people, he leads them. He goes before and sets the pace and the direction; whether people follow or not depends entirely upon how much respect he has built in their eyes by his personal character, his abilities, and his gifts. An elder is a man who is able to command the respect of others and get them to follow him in the directions the Lord has set.”
What is this “double honor” that is spoken of? I believe it to be:
1. The honor of holding the position of elder
2. The honor of receiving wages for the work they are doing (we will see this in verse 18)
What work are the elders doing? They are preaching and teaching. Are there two separate occupations or are they one in the same? I would say that all good preaching is teaching. All expository preaching is exposing the Word of God – which in fact is teaching. As you proclaim (preaching) you are teaching (exposing the Word of God).
1 Ti 5:18 “For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
Note that two passages of scripture are quoted in this verse. One from the Old Testament – Deut. 25:4 and the other from Luke 10:7. Both of these quotes have the authority of Scripture and Paul quotes them as such. “For the Scripture says”. Here Paul is making his case that ministers are worthy of being paid.
Faithful church leaders should be supported and appreciated. 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 Gal 6:6 and the notes on Luke 10:7 and 1 Cor 9:4-10). Our ministers deserve to know that we are giving to them cheerfully, gratefully, and generously.
I am aware of one denomination that seems to boast that they do not pay their ministers. Folks do not boast when you are doing something that is unscriptural.
Matthew Henry has said of this verse: “Care must be taken that ministers are maintained. And those who are laborious in this work are worthy of double honor and esteem. It is their just due, as much as the reward of the laborer.”
1 Ti 5:19 “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.”
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 confirm 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.
In the Old Testament we find the law about witnesses: "A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing, then both the men who have the dispute shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days. The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you. The rest will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such an evil thing among you. Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” (Deut 19:15-21)
In this age there seems to be many false witnesses – but perhaps there is in every age – but many of them get off with no punishment what-so-ever.
1 Ti 5:20 “Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.”
It is very easy to just ignore some sins – but that is not what the Scriptures tell us to do. There is to be a “rebuke in the presence of all.” Paul goes on to give a reason for this: “so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.” It is not a bad thing to have a good example – even when it comes to the punishment of sin.
1 Ti 5:21 “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.”
Church leadership is a heavy responsibility. As difficult as it might be, Timothy was not to waver on any of Paul's instructions (and particularly the instructions about rebuking elders). Any needed discipline or rebuke must be administered without regard to Timothy's personal inclinations or favoritism. Likewise, leadership in the church today must be handled with maturity, faithfulness, godliness, and lack of favoritism. The health of a body of believers is far more important than playing favorites with someone who is not meeting the standards set forth here.
1 Ti 5:22 “Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.”
Many commentaries view the sense of “laying on hands” as referring to the act of ordination. Paul cautioned Timothy to let a man prove himself before he was recognized in ministry. There should not be a rush; time must season a man and his ministry. When an individual is ordained – there should be an in-depth examination of a person’s doctrine and also of their character. One can have very sound doctrine – yet be living a life of sin. So Paul warns Timothy to not “lay hands upon anyone too hastily.” – but to take the time that is necessary to examine a candidate.
Paul gives the consequences of laying hands on “too hastily” – “share responsibility for the sins of others”. We all have enough sin of our own; we do not need to add to it by partaking in the sins of others.
Guzik says: There are many ways we can do this.
· We can share in the sins of others by setting a bad example before them.
· We can share in the sins of others by approving of them or ignoring them.
· We can share in the sins of others by joining a church that is spreading dangerous teachings.
Therefore Paul tells Timothy – “keep yourself free from sin.”
1 Ti 5:23 “No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.”
This statement at first seems a little out place here – but it, of course, is not. Let us recall that Paul had spoken earlier in this letter about the drinking of wine. (1 Timothy 3:3 and 3:8) In those verses it is said that a church leaders should “not be addicted to much wine.” From a legalist standpoint it would be easy to say that one should hold to total abstinence – but now with this verse added to the argument, we can see that total abstinence is not promoted here. Wine is fine in its proper use.
I have been in churches that promote total abstinence, but that is not what the Bible says. Whatever we eat or drink must be done to the glory of God. (Romans 14:16-17) If you are having stomach problems – perhaps a little wine will help aid in the problem. But beware of the attitude that if you hold to total abstinence, that you are more holy than others. (Matthew 11:19)
1 Ti 5:24 “The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.”
Some men’s sin is quite evident. For others their sin is hidden. But for all – sin is there for: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Stedman has said: “Some men are skillful at hiding sin. They appear to be very dedicated, committed people, but there is rotten evil in their hearts all the time. If you get into the habit of electing people to office or appointing them into some responsible position without giving time to observe them you will get into trouble. "Time will tell," the world's proverb says. Let some time go by. God will bring it out. Get close to them. The closer you get the more obvious their evil will become.”
1 Ti 5:25 “Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.”
This verse ties in with verse 24. Just like sin for some is quite evident – so also are good deeds. In the end all deeds will be exposed. Some go before us – some come after us. But the day is coming when all things shall be exposed. (Matthew 10:26; Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17; 12:2)
