1st Timothy Chapter 5

From The Open Bible Project

5:1 Don't rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;

• (1) Of giving personal reprehensions appropriately, according to the degrees of ages and gender.

5:2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

5:3 Honor widows who are widows indeed.

• (2) The apostle gives these rules concerning the care of widows.

8 (a) Have care of those widows who have need of help.

5:4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is[6] acceptable in the sight of God.

• (3) Widow’s children and nephews must take care of their parents according to their ability.
• (4) The first reason, because that which they bestow upon their parents, they bestow it upon themselves.
• (5) Another, because nature itself teaches us to repay our parents.
• (6) The third: because this duty pleases God.

5:5 Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

• (7) The second rule. Let the church take care of those who are indeed widows, that is to say, those who are poor and destitute of help from their own friends, and live godly and religiously.

5:6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.

• (8) The third rule: let widows that live in pleasure, and neglect the care of their own family, be held and considered as fallers away from God and his religion, and worse than the unfaithful themselves.

5:7 Also command these things, that they may be without reproach.

5:8 But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

5:9 Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

• (9) The fourth rule: let none under sixty years old be taken into the number of widows, to serve the congregations or churches. And they must be those who are free from every reproach of immorality, and are well reported of, for their diligence, charity, and integrity.
• (b) That has only ever had one husband at a time.

5:10 being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.

• (c) This is spoken with regard to the manner of those countries.

5:11 But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;

• (10) The first reason why younger widows are not to be admitted to this ministry, that is, because of the unsteadiness of their age they will at length shake off the burden that Christ has laid upon them, and think rather upon marrying again: and so will forsake the ministry to which they had bound themselves.
• (d) Take them not into the assembly of widows.

5:12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.

5:13 Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

• (11) Another reason: because they are for the most part gossips and busybodies, and idly roving up and down, neglecting their charge and duty.

5:14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.

• (12) The fifth rule: let younger widows marry and govern their houses in a godly way.

5:15 For already some have turned aside after Satan.

5:16 If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don't let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.

• (13) The sixth rule: let the faithful help their widows at their own expense as much as they can, and do not let the congregation be burdened with these expenses.

5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

• (14) Now he gives rules, and shows how he ought to behave himself with the elders, that is to say, with the pastors, and those who have the governance in the discipline of the church, who is president of their company. The first rule: let the church or congregation see to this especially, as God himself has commanded, that the elders that do their duty well, are honestly supported.
• (e) We must be more concerned for them, than for the rest.
• (f) There were two types of elders: the one dealt with the government only, and looked to the behaviour of the congregation; the other in addition to that, dealt with both preaching and prayers, to and for the congregation.

5:18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain."[7] And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."[8]

5:19 Don't receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.

• (15) The second rule: allow no accusation to be considered against an elder, unless there are two or three witnesses.

5:20 Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.

• (16) The third rule: let the leaders so convicted be openly rebuked, so that they may be an example to others.

5:21 I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

• (17) The fourth rule: let sincerity be used without any prejudice or respect of persons in ecclesiastical proceedings (especially against the elders), because God himself is present there, and the Lord Jesus Christ with a multitude of angels.

5:22 Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men's sins. Keep yourself pure.

• (18) The fifth rule: let the minister lay hands suddenly on no man. Let him not be faulty in this, either by favouring any man’s folly, or perverse affection. If anything is not done well by his fellow elders, let him keep his conscience pure.
• (g) As much as you are able, do not rashly admit anyone at all to any ecclesiastical function.

5:23 Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

• (19) The sixth rule: let the elders have consideration for their health, in their diet.

5:24 Some men's sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later.

• (20) Because hypocrites sometimes creep into the ministry, even though there is ever so great diligence used, the apostle wishes the pastors not to be therefore troubled, or slack at all in their diligence in trying and examining, because the Lord has appointed a time to discover the faults of such men, and it is our duty to take heed that we do not offend in our trying and examining.

5:25 In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can't be hidden.

• (21) Another comfort belonging to them, who are sometimes slandered and misreported.