Bible Groups

First Letter to Timothy - Chapter 5

Paul now gives advice on how Timothy should seek to deal with community members, basically he should treat them all as members of his own family, but with careful circumspection towards young women. Even in those days young male leaders could easily be led by their passions into scandal. And the early church communities seemed to try to live as one extended family, supporting members materially as well as emotionally. Especially widows, and perhaps also those disowned by their families when becoming Christians. This mutual support is not trivial compared to doctrinal issues: actions as well as words are mandatory. The church is the renewed family of god, and its behaviour as a family must express this. But both limited resources and who is to receive charity make it difficult in practice. Paul's very practical guidelines essential to try to ensure power, sex and money do not damage this family life.
1 Respect and kindness, especially towards older men, but also to younger 'like brothers'. Use wisely and gently the power you have been entrusted with. Do not 'lord it' over others, think how you would approach your father or mother about a needed change.
2 Similarly respect towards older women, and keeping relations with younger women on a 'sisterly' basis. Paul knows how easily close relationships can develop sexual overtones, and bring damage to all concerned as well as the community.
3 'Honour' means practical, material help, as well as affection and respect. As always the church's resources for charitable support are limited, so the church can only afford to support 'real' widows. Who is to count as a 'real' widow?
4 Their relations must accept responsibility rather than expecting the community to do so. Firstly, children owe their parents some recompense for having supported them while young.
5 'Real' widows appear to be those with no living relatives, but must also pass a test of having been a practising believer.
6 Those who have followed their own inclinations, rather than practising their faith, need not be supported. Women are seen as especially prone to be misled by the false teachers - eg not to marry again.
8 But believers who fail to support their own elderly relations are really not practising their faith. Harsh words for any who do not support their needy relatives. In effect worse than non-believers. This is what being a Christian means.
9 There appears to be a special category of widow who are enrolled in the church's service. Duties unknown - perhaps a ministry of prayer. But requirements like those for deacons and bishops: one husband, as well as over 60. Arbitrary, but you need clear rules, else who is most deserving becomes subjective.
10 In addition these must be well known for their life of good works for others as well as their own children. Should have shown hospitality and humility. Nice to want to be generous, but limited funds must be shared in a way acceptable to those giving them. Possible conflict between 'having brought children' and 'having no relatives who should care for them'.
11 But potential problems with younger widows: they may have youthful enthusiasm for this special category of widows, but this may wane, and they might wish to marry again. Less likely to be concerned with stronger passions in the young.
12 Not so much sinning by seeking release from their commitment to Christ, but nevertheless failing in the duty they have undertaken.
13 Paul seems also to have a poor opinion of young women, especially if idle because supported by the church. Gossiping, etc, - a constant temptation while visiting the sick, etc - brings the community into disrepute. Danger that young widows could receive help from both their own family and from the church, and so become idle (cf welfare state!)
14 So Paul's preference - not mandatory - is that young widows should marry again, have children, and ensure no opportunity for the devil, nor bring disrepute on the community and so enable non-believers to denigrate the church - 'nice new community with young widows sitting around doing nothing'! Also reinforces Paul's argument against false teachings against marriage. In this new community there are serious issues to be faced and sorted.
15 It appears some have already caused problems. (Always women?!) IE some accepted as 'real widows' have already remarried.
16 Women or men who are believers should support their own widowed relatives, not letting the church take the burden. So that the small resources may be used for the 'real' widows.
17 'Honour' means both respect and material support. This could be the meaning of 'double' honour. But 'elders' (ie presbyters or administrators) who also preach and teach should receive proportionately higher recompense. Church leaders are entitled to be properly paid: they should not be expected to make the double sacrifice of lives plus livelihood.
18 1^st quote is OT (Deut 25:4). But 2^nd is a saying of Jesus (Matt 10:10; Lk 10:7). Unlikely this letter written after both these gospels, so sayings of Jesus already being given the status of scripture.
19 Wisely Timothy is enjoined to be especially careful about accusations against the community leaders - he should ensure 'due process' with at least 2-3 witnesses (as in the Jewish law).
20 But where sin persists - stubborn refusal to desist - you must come down hard and publicly -'to encourage the others'! Could also be proper fear of God. Perhaps this rule could have been followed better in recent years?
21 Specifically charges Timothy to keep these rules without showing favour - he will be answerable to God, Jesus Christ and the angels. A heavy charge indeed. Fairly clear that Timothy is effectively a 'senior elder' - really a bishop, as v 22 indicates.
22 Do not rush into ordaining (or very unlikely forgiving) church leaders, test candidates carefully first: not just be sure they are without persistent wrong-doing, but be sure they are good people. Otherwise you will - in a sense - share some responsibility for their failings in their leader roles. Bottom line: keep yourself pure, away from failings of others.
23 A personal, very down-to-earth concern: perhaps Timothy had been overdoing ascetism or suffering from illness. Nothing wrong with wine, it can be good for us, part of God's good creation, and we should look after our bodies, so we are fit to carry out God's work. Personal mortification should not put one's health at risk. Practical wisdom as well as theology!
24 Some sins are immediately visible, but the others cannot be hidden for ever. The church community's reputation is affected by the sins of its members - eventually, if not now.
25 Similarly some good deeds are seen immediately, but none will remain hidden for ever. Again public reputation matters, and can be enhanced by good works of the community's members.

Paul's Letters to Timothy

First Letter to Timothy - Chapter 5