Verse=by-verse into the WORD is the teaching ministry of Dr. Andrew C S Koh
Lesson 6
Prayer:
1 Timothy 5: 1-25, Christian relationships, care for widows, family, elders
VV 1-2, 1 Do not rebuke an older man but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.
Paul instructed Timothy to respect older men as fathers, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters in Christ with a pure heart.
VV 3-7, 3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless.
Paul instructed Timothy to honor and support the welfare of widows who had no children and were faithful to God in prayers and supplications. Widows who had children should be looked after by their children. Paul rebuked widows who indulged in the pleasures of life. Widows should remain above reproach in their conduct.
VV 8-10, 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. 9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
Christians should take care of their family members. Younger widows under 60 years should not be taken into the welfare list, unless they were monogamous, had good reputations in the community, raised children, received strangers, served Christians, helped the afflicted, and were diligent in good works.
VV 11-16, 11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
Younger widows should not be taken into the welfare list because they tended to remarry, be lazy, gossip, and busy minding other people’s affairs. Paul encouraged younger widows to remarry, raise children, and manage their household without reproach. Any Christian who had widows in their household should take care of them and not burden the church.
VV 17-18, 17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
Greek for elder is “presbuteros”, which means an elder of a Christian church. “Presbuteros” is similar to “episcopos”, which means bishop or overseer. Elders who teach the Bible should be honored and remunerated accordingly.
VV 19-20, 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
Any accusation against an elder must be supported by two or three witnesses. Paul instructed Timothy to rebuke those who sinned in the presence of everyone as a deterrent to others.
VV 21-22, 21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.
Paul instructed Timothy to observe these things without any bias or favoritism. Paul instructed Timothy not to take action on anyone in haste and to keep himself pure.
VV 23-25, 23 No longer drink only water but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
Paul instructed Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach’s ailment and other frequent illnesses. Paul instructed Timothy to discern between sinful people and good people.
Application:
Paul’s instructions to Timothy also apply to us. We are to respect elderly people, younger people, widows, family members, and spiritual teachers of the Word. We should look after the welfare of our family members and others who require support without bias. There will be plenty of opportunities to apply this during the coronavirus pandemic
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we pray for mercy and grace to go through this coronavirus pandemic. We confessed that we have sinned against You through the millennium. We stand in the gap to intercede for Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness to end this pandemic as soon as possible, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
