1st timothy chapter 5.....a matter of honour
In chapter4, the emphasis is very much on the doctrine, and in chapters 5-6 he outlines some practical things that issue from it. In chapter 5, Paul deals with internal matters, and in chapter 6 with external matters; Christianity is to be lived out in the church, and also in the outside world. This is the clear message of these closing chapters of the epistle. For Paul, it is a matter of honour; he underlines this by the use of the word three times from chapter 5v3-chapter 6v1. In this way this practical section can be easily understood. We are to honour widows indeed, verses 1-16; also the elders that rule well verses 17-25; and our earthly masters for the sake of the reputation of God and the doctrine chapter 6 verses1-2. In each of the sections note the repeated phrase “these things” which refer to the things of God. We are in everything we do, to be occupied in the things of God.
Chapter 5 v7 for widows “These things give in charge”. Chapter 5v21 to elders “...observe these things without prejudice...”. Chapter 6 v2 about earthly masters “These things teach and exhort.”
We are to give honour, respect, to those to whom it is due. The word honour means simply to put a value on someone that will prompt a certain demeanour. Christianity restores dignity and honour among people. He begins in verses 1-2 by insisting on respect among different groups within the family of God. He lists four as follows;
Older men The word for elder here is referring to age and not spiritual leadership in the company, as in verses 17-20. What is being enjoined here is respect for age, something which in the modern world is singularly lacking...this trend is not to be present in the family of God. By virtue alone of having lived longer, the older man may know more, has certainly experienced more, and is therefore a valuable member with something to offer. Scriptures are clear on this matter; Leviticus 19 v32 “thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man”. 1st Peter 5v5 “...younger men be subject to your elders, yea all of you clothe yourselves with humility one toward another.” Older men are not all wise, not always right, but they are due respect from the younger element in the family. In disagreement they are not to be rebuked sharply, but entreated courteously as a father. There is to be no generation gap amongst the people of God.
Younger men They are to be seen as brethren, even by those who are older. Paul is here defining the family relationships. They are not to be considered as inferior but as equal. Youth is not to be despised in the family of God. There are many examples in scripture of God using the young in His service.
Older women They are to be seen as mothers and honoured as one would honour their own mother, especially in view of their age.
Younger women They are to be treated as “sisters in all purity;” not flirting, not seeing them in any other way than you would your natural sister, that is to protect them, help them, honour them.
Honour for widows verses 3-16. In the house of God compassion is to be shewn for the needy. God places the widow in special honour, because they are particularly vulnerable. Exodus 22v22 “Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child, if thou afflict them in anywise and they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry.” Deuteronomy 10v18 “The great God and Almighty, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward; He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and the widow.” Psalm 68v5 “A father of the fatherless and a judge of the widow is God in his holy habitation.” The context of this is quite staggering, as just prior to this it says He is the One “who rides in the desolate places by the name of Jah”. Another version is “..who rides in the infinitudes of the universe.” (Newberry margin) The majestic God who spans the vast outer reaches of space, dwells with the lonely and bereft. Where God’s heart is so should ours be James 1v27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.” The root meaning of the word for “widow” is of someone who is bereft, lacking in comfort, the principal problem being that of loneliness and lack of provision. In the chapter he talks of “widows indeed” : “any widow” : and “younger widows.” Also, he speaks of widows who are widows indeed, and in the second half he will speak of elders that rule well. Both of these are to be marked out for special honour in all the churches. According to the context honour involves material support by the church for the individuals concerned, but there are qualifications for this and Paul spells out what he means by a widow indeed. There may not be the same need today for such material support, but there are some lovely and interesting principles which do apply. The church is not to become a kind of social security for it’s members, but in extreme cases compassion should be shewn, and support given, whether that support is of a material or spiritual nature. We are to be courteous and compassionate in nature.
In verses 4-7 there are very important principles laid down “But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to shew piety(mercy) at home and to requite their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.” God is a provider, and in extreme circumstances He will intervene miraculously. But there is one pattern which emerges in humanitarian issues, He expects us to play whatever part we can, as he has enabled us. He made a garden for the first couple, but He ordered them to till it (Genesis 2). He supplies the raw materials for food, but we have to work for it. In like manner He expects families to care for their own and cites children and grandchildren as debtors. They are to “requite their parents”, that is pay them back. Do to them what the parents did for them in their helplessness and need. It is good to know the things which please the Lord;
Faith in His power and goodness Hebrews 11v6
Prayers for world salvation 1st Timothy 2vv1-3
Obeying parents in the Lord Colossians 3v20
Doing His will Hebrews 13v16
Praising Him with our lips Hebrews 13v21
Caring for the family 1st Timothy 5v4
Supporting His servants Philippians 4v18
A reverential fear of His person Psalm 147vv10-11.
He now defines a true widow for the purpose of support. Firstly, she is desolate, that is isolated, cut off from all means of visible support, no income, no family to help. Then she is to confidently trust in the Lord. Thirdly she continues in supplications (specific requests) and prayers (worship) night and day, that is she asks for help for herself and others. There are others who, when facing the loneliness of widowhood, who use their freedom to live in pleasure. Such he says are “dead while they live”, not dead in sins, but live apart from closeness to God producing deadness within the soul. True widows are to be blameless, that is free from finger pointing and justified reproach. Timothy, along with every pastor in the churches is to explain this to the individuals concerned.
He continues the theme of family care and true widowhood in verses 8-16, these matters are very important to him, as they are at the very heart of Christianity, but now placing more emphasis on responsibilities
• Refusal to care for needy family, renders members worse than an unbeliever, since even an unbeliever looks after their own.
• She is to be no less than 60 years old....presumably, up to this age she can support herself.
• The wife of one man....she is a single minded, devoted person. In the mind of God, single mindedness in the marital sphere seems to be a plus for church leadership and church support.
• Well reported of for good works... Paul now lists some examples of good works in different spheres; in the home good works in the rearing of children, that is if she has had children she reared them well; in the community, she has lodged strangers given good hospitality to travellers; in the church she has washed the saints feet, she has humbly served the Lord’s people; she has relieved the afflicted, tended to those who are disadvantaged or ill; she has devoted herself to every good work in which she was involved.
• Younger widows are to be refused because if their thoughts are purely on material support, they may remarry for the wrong reasons of selfish motives. The language here is difficult, but the context must be observed. The judgment is not eternal punishment, nor is “casting off their faith”, an abandonment of faith. It appears that support for widows without families in those days was virtually non existent and the pressure to remarry for survival was strong. Widowhood was viewed as a wholehearted commitment to the Lord as priority. The tendency among the younger widows was to actively seek marriage for selfish reasons. This may lead to idleness, home-hopping, and indulging in gossip, and, indeed some had already fallen into this trap, giving rise for the adversary of souls to speak reproachfully. Paul’s advice to them was to marry for the right reasons, that is to serve the Lord in rearing children.
• The Christian position is clear concerning widows; believers, whether male or female, who have widowed relatives are to relieve them and not place the burden on the church. This is so that the church may the more easily relieve widows who truly need it and whose life devotion has been such that they truly deserve it.
Honour for elders Verses 17-25
The focus is now on elders in the church whose character for the work has been described in chapter 3. Their role is important in the church and Paul presents it in the following terms; 1) the support of elders...verses 17-18; 2) the sin of elders...verses 19-20; 3) the selection of elders...verses 22-25. Verse 21 is a solemn charge to be impartial in judgment which would cover the content of the whole chapter.
Support for elders He speaks of it in terms of honour, they are to be esteemed for their work. All elders are to be honoured, but those who rule well are to be considered for double honour (that is material and spiritual), especially those who “labour in the word and doctrine”. Not all elders can fulfil this public role but those who do have a full time task. The expression in Acts 6v4 may describe this work “...we will give ourselves continually in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” The word used here is toil, it is a mammoth effort to continually bring fresh food to the people of God. Long hours spent searching, and researching and seeking the mind of the Lord. These are to be counted worthy of double honour; they may not need such support, they may refuse it, but they are worthy of it. They may lose promotion/progress in their daily work, they may lose out through lack of time to give to mundane necessities, and, so they are to be compensated for their labour. The Lord will be no man’s debtor and the principle is laid down in scripture “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn” and “the labourer is worthy of his hire.” Though many commentators and teachers are resisting the implication, it is clear that every time these quotations from the old testament appear, they are referring to material support. The failure to observe this principle today may be the reason for the dearth of true elders among us.
Sin in relation to elders They shoulder a huge responsibility, and they are not perfect, being subject to failure, like the rest of us. Their work is very public and they are vulnerable to false accusation. Paul warns Timothy to receive no accusation against them which is not supported by evidence. This principle would apply to anyone, but especially elders who are involved in matters of judgment. In the event that they sin (and no one is sinless), because of their high status and public role, they are to be rebuked before all. This is in order that “others may fear.” All sin is unacceptable to God and it must be exposed. There is no thought here of going beyond the rebuke, but, of course more serious matters may require more severe
action. The lack of the various forms of discipline as advised in the N/T is surely the cause of the absence of the reverential fear of the Lord in the company. We are at times more concerned with the feelings of people than with the fear of the Lord.
Selection of elders The laying on of hands in scripture appears to be a form of approval/identification/fellowship. It suggests a formal appointment, such that, although the ordination is from above, there was also earthly recognition. This would, of course, be in line with the Divine way, approval of God and man in the work. The phrase is used in a number of ways; Leviticus 1v4...the idea of trust in the worth of the sacrifice; Numbers 27v18...at the commission of Joshua as leader; Mark 10v16...the Lord blessing the little children; Acts 6v6...the apostles approval of the deacons; Luke 4v40&Acts 28v8...in the process of healing; 1st Timothy 4v14&2nd Timothy 1v6...identification of a spiritual gift. It is surely good practice to publicly identify and approve those who will perform a public work. There is to be no haste in the matter, not to be pressured to appoint those who may be unfit for the work. The character of the appointees is paramount. To appoint someone to office, who later is found to be living sinfully (of a continuous nature) is to be partaker of their sins. It is not always immediately evident who, or what people are, so care must be taken, and due process observed. All in all it seems that it is the mind of God for appointments to be made, based on time honoured behaviour. Paul recognises this charge may bring on Timothy a deal of stress and suggests a modest intake of wine for medicinal purposes. It is said the water may have been less than nutritional and when necessary should drink wine.
The solemn charge in verse 21 stands as a warning beacon to all who take the responsibility of leadership, but applies to all of us in the service of God. “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.” In all our dealings, there must be the absence of prejudice and partiality, and the example of this must come from the top. W e all have our favourites, but in matters of church business this must be set aside, the presence of which is the root of division, When Moses addressed the people prior to entering the land , he set out this very aspect for the good order of the nation. “I charged your judges at that time saying “Hear the causes between your brethren and judge righteously between every man and his brother and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons (faces) in judgment; ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God’s....” Deuteronomy 1vv16-17. The last phrase “the judgment is God’s” resonates with verse 21, where he is charged before God and the Lord Jesus and the elect angels. Paul brings all matters of church discipline and judgments and decisions before the heavenly judiciary. All things must be done fairly and according to the will of heaven. The elect angels are the angels who kept their first estate, unlike those who fell. Angels are involved in heavenly business, and this vast array of heavenly beings are a reminder of our accountability.
In chapter4, the emphasis is very much on the doctrine, and in chapters 5-6 he outlines some practical things that issue from it. In chapter 5, Paul deals with internal matters, and in chapter 6 with external matters; Christianity is to be lived out in the church, and also in the outside world. This is the clear message of these closing chapters of the epistle. For Paul, it is a matter of honour; he underlines this by the use of the word three times from chapter 5v3-chapter 6v1. In this way this practical section can be easily understood. We are to honour widows indeed, verses 1-16; also the elders that rule well verses 17-25; and our earthly masters for the sake of the reputation of God and the doctrine chapter 6 verses1-2. In each of the sections note the repeated phrase “these things” which refer to the things of God. We are in everything we do, to be occupied in the things of God.
Chapter 5 v7 for widows “These things give in charge”. Chapter 5v21 to elders “...observe these things without prejudice...”. Chapter 6 v2 about earthly masters “These things teach and exhort.”
We are to give honour, respect, to those to whom it is due. The word honour means simply to put a value on someone that will prompt a certain demeanour. Christianity restores dignity and honour among people. He begins in verses 1-2 by insisting on respect among different groups within the family of God. He lists four as follows;
Older men The word for elder here is referring to age and not spiritual leadership in the company, as in verses 17-20. What is being enjoined here is respect for age, something which in the modern world is singularly lacking...this trend is not to be present in the family of God. By virtue alone of having lived longer, the older man may know more, has certainly experienced more, and is therefore a valuable member with something to offer. Scriptures are clear on this matter; Leviticus 19 v32 “thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man”. 1st Peter 5v5 “...younger men be subject to your elders, yea all of you clothe yourselves with humility one toward another.” Older men are not all wise, not always right, but they are due respect from the younger element in the family. In disagreement they are not to be rebuked sharply, but entreated courteously as a father. There is to be no generation gap amongst the people of God.
Younger men They are to be seen as brethren, even by those who are older. Paul is here defining the family relationships. They are not to be considered as inferior but as equal. Youth is not to be despised in the family of God. There are many examples in scripture of God using the young in His service.
Older women They are to be seen as mothers and honoured as one would honour their own mother, especially in view of their age.
Younger women They are to be treated as “sisters in all purity;” not flirting, not seeing them in any other way than you would your natural sister, that is to protect them, help them, honour them.
Honour for widows verses 3-16. In the house of God compassion is to be shewn for the needy. God places the widow in special honour, because they are particularly vulnerable. Exodus 22v22 “Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child, if thou afflict them in anywise and they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry.” Deuteronomy 10v18 “The great God and Almighty, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward; He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and the widow.” Psalm 68v5 “A father of the fatherless and a judge of the widow is God in his holy habitation.” The context of this is quite staggering, as just prior to this it says He is the One “who rides in the desolate places by the name of Jah”. Another version is “..who rides in the infinitudes of the universe.” (Newberry margin) The majestic God who spans the vast outer reaches of space, dwells with the lonely and bereft. Where God’s heart is so should ours be James 1v27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.” The root meaning of the word for “widow” is of someone who is bereft, lacking in comfort, the principal problem being that of loneliness and lack of provision. In the chapter he talks of “widows indeed” : “any widow” : and “younger widows.” Also, he speaks of widows who are widows indeed, and in the second half he will speak of elders that rule well. Both of these are to be marked out for special honour in all the churches. According to the context honour involves material support by the church for the individuals concerned, but there are qualifications for this and Paul spells out what he means by a widow indeed. There may not be the same need today for such material support, but there are some lovely and interesting principles which do apply. The church is not to become a kind of social security for it’s members, but in extreme cases compassion should be shewn, and support given, whether that support is of a material or spiritual nature. We are to be courteous and compassionate in nature.
In verses 4-7 there are very important principles laid down “But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to shew piety(mercy) at home and to requite their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.” God is a provider, and in extreme circumstances He will intervene miraculously. But there is one pattern which emerges in humanitarian issues, He expects us to play whatever part we can, as he has enabled us. He made a garden for the first couple, but He ordered them to till it (Genesis 2). He supplies the raw materials for food, but we have to work for it. In like manner He expects families to care for their own and cites children and grandchildren as debtors. They are to “requite their parents”, that is pay them back. Do to them what the parents did for them in their helplessness and need. It is good to know the things which please the Lord;
Faith in His power and goodness Hebrews 11v6
Prayers for world salvation 1st Timothy 2vv1-3
Obeying parents in the Lord Colossians 3v20
Doing His will Hebrews 13v16
Praising Him with our lips Hebrews 13v21
Caring for the family 1st Timothy 5v4
Supporting His servants Philippians 4v18
A reverential fear of His person Psalm 147vv10-11.
He now defines a true widow for the purpose of support. Firstly, she is desolate, that is isolated, cut off from all means of visible support, no income, no family to help. Then she is to confidently trust in the Lord. Thirdly she continues in supplications (specific requests) and prayers (worship) night and day, that is she asks for help for herself and others. There are others who, when facing the loneliness of widowhood, who use their freedom to live in pleasure. Such he says are “dead while they live”, not dead in sins, but live apart from closeness to God producing deadness within the soul. True widows are to be blameless, that is free from finger pointing and justified reproach. Timothy, along with every pastor in the churches is to explain this to the individuals concerned.
He continues the theme of family care and true widowhood in verses 8-16, these matters are very important to him, as they are at the very heart of Christianity, but now placing more emphasis on responsibilities
• Refusal to care for needy family, renders members worse than an unbeliever, since even an unbeliever looks after their own.
• She is to be no less than 60 years old....presumably, up to this age she can support herself.
• The wife of one man....she is a single minded, devoted person. In the mind of God, single mindedness in the marital sphere seems to be a plus for church leadership and church support.
• Well reported of for good works... Paul now lists some examples of good works in different spheres; in the home good works in the rearing of children, that is if she has had children she reared them well; in the community, she has lodged strangers given good hospitality to travellers; in the church she has washed the saints feet, she has humbly served the Lord’s people; she has relieved the afflicted, tended to those who are disadvantaged or ill; she has devoted herself to every good work in which she was involved.
• Younger widows are to be refused because if their thoughts are purely on material support, they may remarry for the wrong reasons of selfish motives. The language here is difficult, but the context must be observed. The judgment is not eternal punishment, nor is “casting off their faith”, an abandonment of faith. It appears that support for widows without families in those days was virtually non existent and the pressure to remarry for survival was strong. Widowhood was viewed as a wholehearted commitment to the Lord as priority. The tendency among the younger widows was to actively seek marriage for selfish reasons. This may lead to idleness, home-hopping, and indulging in gossip, and, indeed some had already fallen into this trap, giving rise for the adversary of souls to speak reproachfully. Paul’s advice to them was to marry for the right reasons, that is to serve the Lord in rearing children.
• The Christian position is clear concerning widows; believers, whether male or female, who have widowed relatives are to relieve them and not place the burden on the church. This is so that the church may the more easily relieve widows who truly need it and whose life devotion has been such that they truly deserve it.
Honour for elders Verses 17-25
The focus is now on elders in the church whose character for the work has been described in chapter 3. Their role is important in the church and Paul presents it in the following terms; 1) the support of elders...verses 17-18; 2) the sin of elders...verses 19-20; 3) the selection of elders...verses 22-25. Verse 21 is a solemn charge to be impartial in judgment which would cover the content of the whole chapter.
Support for elders He speaks of it in terms of honour, they are to be esteemed for their work. All elders are to be honoured, but those who rule well are to be considered for double honour (that is material and spiritual), especially those who “labour in the word and doctrine”. Not all elders can fulfil this public role but those who do have a full time task. The expression in Acts 6v4 may describe this work “...we will give ourselves continually in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” The word used here is toil, it is a mammoth effort to continually bring fresh food to the people of God. Long hours spent searching, and researching and seeking the mind of the Lord. These are to be counted worthy of double honour; they may not need such support, they may refuse it, but they are worthy of it. They may lose promotion/progress in their daily work, they may lose out through lack of time to give to mundane necessities, and, so they are to be compensated for their labour. The Lord will be no man’s debtor and the principle is laid down in scripture “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn” and “the labourer is worthy of his hire.” Though many commentators and teachers are resisting the implication, it is clear that every time these quotations from the old testament appear, they are referring to material support. The failure to observe this principle today may be the reason for the dearth of true elders among us.
Sin in relation to elders They shoulder a huge responsibility, and they are not perfect, being subject to failure, like the rest of us. Their work is very public and they are vulnerable to false accusation. Paul warns Timothy to receive no accusation against them which is not supported by evidence. This principle would apply to anyone, but especially elders who are involved in matters of judgment. In the event that they sin (and no one is sinless), because of their high status and public role, they are to be rebuked before all. This is in order that “others may fear.” All sin is unacceptable to God and it must be exposed. There is no thought here of going beyond the rebuke, but, of course more serious matters may require more severe
action. The lack of the various forms of discipline as advised in the N/T is surely the cause of the absence of the reverential fear of the Lord in the company. We are at times more concerned with the feelings of people than with the fear of the Lord.
Selection of elders The laying on of hands in scripture appears to be a form of approval/identification/fellowship. It suggests a formal appointment, such that, although the ordination is from above, there was also earthly recognition. This would, of course, be in line with the Divine way, approval of God and man in the work. The phrase is used in a number of ways; Leviticus 1v4...the idea of trust in the worth of the sacrifice; Numbers 27v18...at the commission of Joshua as leader; Mark 10v16...the Lord blessing the little children; Acts 6v6...the apostles approval of the deacons; Luke 4v40&Acts 28v8...in the process of healing; 1st Timothy 4v14&2nd Timothy 1v6...identification of a spiritual gift. It is surely good practice to publicly identify and approve those who will perform a public work. There is to be no haste in the matter, not to be pressured to appoint those who may be unfit for the work. The character of the appointees is paramount. To appoint someone to office, who later is found to be living sinfully (of a continuous nature) is to be partaker of their sins. It is not always immediately evident who, or what people are, so care must be taken, and due process observed. All in all it seems that it is the mind of God for appointments to be made, based on time honoured behaviour. Paul recognises this charge may bring on Timothy a deal of stress and suggests a modest intake of wine for medicinal purposes. It is said the water may have been less than nutritional and when necessary should drink wine.
The solemn charge in verse 21 stands as a warning beacon to all who take the responsibility of leadership, but applies to all of us in the service of God. “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.” In all our dealings, there must be the absence of prejudice and partiality, and the example of this must come from the top. W e all have our favourites, but in matters of church business this must be set aside, the presence of which is the root of division, When Moses addressed the people prior to entering the land , he set out this very aspect for the good order of the nation. “I charged your judges at that time saying “Hear the causes between your brethren and judge righteously between every man and his brother and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons (faces) in judgment; ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God’s....” Deuteronomy 1vv16-17. The last phrase “the judgment is God’s” resonates with verse 21, where he is charged before God and the Lord Jesus and the elect angels. Paul brings all matters of church discipline and judgments and decisions before the heavenly judiciary. All things must be done fairly and according to the will of heaven. The elect angels are the angels who kept their first estate, unlike those who fell. Angels are involved in heavenly business, and this vast array of heavenly beings are a reminder of our accountability.
No comments:
Post a Comment