| 1 Timothy 5:1-5
Verse 1. "Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,"
Paul the Apostle wrote this letter we call "First Timothy" to his contemporary, a younger man who likely, in Paul's mind, might succeed him in the office he held as Apostle to the Gentiles. God had His own ideas, but here in this letter is advice to us all, especially to those who are called by our Lord to leadership in the church. For instance, how do we treat people who are "off the track" doctrinally; people who are living and teaching ideas that are contrary to the good news about Jesus Christ.
Younger people are supposed to treat those who are older with respect. Not only is it correct to do so, but it benefits you, the younger person, as well. Those who have come before have made many mistakes and you can learn from them if you respectfully listen. So, if you have issues with "an older man," don't say insulting things to him, but instead "appeal to him as a father." You might learn something. And as a leader, your job is NOT to dominate your peers and younger people, but instead appeal "to the younger men as brothers." It's the call of God for our lives that we are to care for one another in a wholesome, honest, but also kind manner.
Verse 2. "the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity." The newspaper accounts about the church are often terrible to read. Church leaders seduce minors, have so-called "affairs" with those who are supposed to be protected by them and steal money from the church budget. Anyone who is a "leader" in the church, anyone who is IN the church, all who are believers should be SAFE people. The very definition of "religion" is "to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world" (James 1:27).
The only way it is possible to let such a defining statement become real in our lives is threefold: 1) We are to reach out to others in God's love, not in our own; 2) We are to pray continually, for our strength is not enough - we need the Lord, and 3) Ministry is more than a vocation; we are to perform our offices, expecting nothing for ourselves. In doing so, we are to remember this verse in Timothy, and regard "the older women as mothers" and "the younger women as sisters." Our ministry is to be in holiness, "in all purity," remembering the Lord in everything we do.
Verse 3. "Honor widows who are widows indeed;"
What is a "widow?" The answer seems obvious, but with the aid of God's Holy Spirit, Paul the Apostle, the human author of this letter, is trying to help Timothy, the young pastor, determine the answer to that very question. And when you read these verses, it is important to understand that the definition of widowhood expressed here, is not some kind of precise law that everyone must follow. It was meant as a guideline for the younger pastor, Timothy, to make decisions in ministry about how the church's money would be spent.
The need was obvious. There was no such thing as a welfare system in that time and place. Most widows had no independent income, many had no parental home to return to, their children might or might not take them in, and their late husband's income suddenly was no more. To the best of his ability, as led by God, Paul is here attempting to define the truly needy to Timothy, so that what money the church had to give was disseminated to those who would most benefit.
Verse 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."
There is an excellent command in the Law of God, as reflected in Exodus Chapter 20 and Deuteronomy 5, which teaches us, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you." Often parents do their very best in raising children, which may be sufficient or not, depending on their abilities. But typically, whatever the outcome, money is spent, time is given and love is shed upon that child. In most cases, they tried; even if the child thinks they failed.
To "honor your father and your mother" is not merely intended while you are little. It is expected in the Law and in this verse in Timothy, that adult children will open their hearts and their homes in relation to parents who can no longer fend for themselves. Children are expected to return the favor given them in their youth, and there is a reward. To do so is "acceptable in the sight of God," and except in those situations where other factors interfere, God will reward the good son or daughter by causing their own days to "be long..."
Verse 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."
In these verses, Paul is not attempting to define just any widow, for like other times in history, the world has unfortunately been full of women who have lost their husbands to accident, warfare or disease. But Paul is here revealing to Timothy how to determine if a widow IN THE CHURCH is eligible to receive support money from the church, an entity that likely had little income to spare. Were mistakes made based on the instructions contained in these verses? Yes, undoubtedly, but planning is necessary, and here Timothy who apparently was in ultimate charge of the distribution of funds was being given a plan about how to do his job.
It should not be a surprise that one of the criteria for providing income to a widow in the church would be that she is a person who "has fixed her hope on God." If she had not done so, she likely was not a Christian, not part of God's church at all. This is about God, through the church, making provision for certain believers who have lost - everything. The widows also were to be the kind of people who continue "in entreaties and prayers night and day." One of the problems with government welfare has been that recipients get used to receiving money for nothing in return. The members of Early Church BELIEVED that God answers prayer in response to faith, another definition of what it means to belong to the church. The widows would "earn their keep" through praying for others, which is not at all unreasonable when you think about it.
Father, people tend to look out for themselves and not help others. Make us a people who look to Your Word, Your Spirit, and prayerfully reach out to those in need, as You lead us. In Jesus Name. Amen. Ron Beckham, Pastor |
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