HONOR WIDOWS (v.1 - 16)
1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,
2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
We may need to gently rebuke those younger / older than us. I learned this at a church when I told a famous guest speaker that some of those in the congregation didn’t appreciate all his comments.
3 Honor widows who are widows indeed
4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety
“to act piously or reverently towards God, one's country, magistrates, relations, and all to whom dutiful regard or reverence is due” www.biblemaster.com / Strong’s 2151
in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. (How are we taking care of our parents? When mine were alive I emailed them, called weekly and visited when I could.)
5 Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties (need, indigence, want, privation, penury a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man and prayers night and day.)
6 But she who gives herself to wanton (not soup! :) to live luxuriously, lead a voluptuous life, (give one's self to pleasure) pleasure is dead even while she lives.
7 Prescribe (beforehand vs. afterwards / describe) these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. To sin is to die.
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.
If we have a wife and or kids we should try to take care of them.
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
It's interesting the age is listed.
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. (Do we do these, except foot washing?:)
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,
We need to be careful of “ the impulses of sexual desire.” (Strong’s 2691)
12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.
This is strong language.
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.
We need to be careful of spreading things that aren’t true.
14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach (railing, reviling);
15 for some have already turned aside to follow Satan (Strong’s 4567, adversary)
Some do outside the church.
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. (Widows doing ministry.)
CONCERNING ELDERS (v. 17 - 25)
17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
I consider my gifts. What are yours? Are you using them for Jesus?
18 For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
This is understandably used to justify getting paid for ministry.
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. We also see this in Matthew 18: 16 "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.
20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. Matthew 18: 15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother."
21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels
Eklektos picked out, chosen by God, to obtain salvation through Christ 1a Christians are called "chosen or elect" of God the Messiah in called "elect", as appointed by God to the most exalted office conceivable choice, select, i.e. the best of its kind or class, excellence preeminent: applied to certain individual Christians to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.
Are we firm, fair and consistent, safe and secure?
22 Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
I quoted this before. That’s why I waited to use the phrase elders / deacons here.
23 No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
Matthew Henry’s commentary: The apostle also charges Timothy to take care of his health. Anyone who has traveled in the Middle East knows the difficulty of getting pure, unpolluted water . . . Timothy was of a feeble frame and prone to timidity in his duties as overseer where vigorous action was needed; hence Paul exhorts him to take all proper means to raise his bodily condition above these infirmities. God hereby commands believers to use all due means for preserving health, and condemns by anticipation the human traditions which among various sects have denied the use of wine to the faithful. www.biblestudytools.com/1-timothy/5-23-compare.html
Drink a little wine and relax! See https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1054-did-paul-sanction-social-drinking
24 The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.
Sometimes it catches up with us later. For sexual sin, it can be unexpected pregnancy, STDs like gonorrhea, syphilis, AIDS, etc. Eventually we’re caught in crime. It takes some of us a long time to learn.
25 Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
Matthew 6: 4 states so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
