I forgot this portion of 1 Timothy which should have been posted yesterday.
1 Timothy 5:1-16 (NKJV) 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.
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. 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.
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.
V1 “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers…” This starts a section on practical matters about some of the Laws of Christ. The Greek word for “rebuke” is (G1969) ἐπιπλήσσω epiplḗssō ἐπιπλήττω epiplḗttō, which means “To strike or give blows upon, to beat.” (Word Study Dictionary). The meaning is the manner of rebuke, which here is yelling and angry rebuke such as verbal abuse or a “tongue lashing.” The Greek word for “exhort” is (G3870) παρακαλέω parakaléō, which means to call alongside, encourage, etc. The meaning would be that this is the correct way to rebuke a person using a gentle encouraging tone of voice for correction. This is God’s way to rebuke unless it is time for God’s wrath.
V2 “…older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.” As above, rebuke should be done correctly. We do not want to abuse a person, nor provoke them to lose their faith.
V3 “Honor widows who are really widows.” The Greek word for “honor” is (G5091) τιμάω timáō, which means to recognize honorably. This is both an attitude and an action (Matthew 15:4 (parents), Matthew 15:8 (God), Mark 7:6 (fake honoring), Acts 28:10 (for example: Paul, the soldiers, and the ship’s crew as they departed Malta), 1 Peter 2:17 (everyone). When we give honor, it must be genuine, not flattery, in public and private, in actions. It is a concern for the person. Thus, we honor kings, presidents, prime ministers, etc. Those who are really widows are those who have no family support at all.
V4 “ 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.” It there is family support, then the family is to honor the parents.
V5 “Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.” The real widow without family support must pray for God to help with expenses and needs. Compare Isaiah 12:2, Psalm 9:10, Matthew 6:25, and Jeremiah 17:7-8.
V6 “But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.” This is a description of “dead.” The body, soul, and spirit are living but spiritually they have no relation or fellowship with God. Compare Titus 3:3, Luke 15:23-24, and Romans 6:11.
V7 “And these things command, that they may be blameless.” We can be blameless if we follow the Law of Christ. It is God’s will and purpose for us to be blameless (Ephesians 1:4). Also see, Philippians 2:14-16 (speaking of practical Christian living), 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, and 2 Peter 3:14 (be diligent).
V8 “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.” Their actions prove they do not have true faith. This is a warning, because acting this way gives evidence that a person is not following Christ. It does not mean they are not a Christian, but are acting like an ungodly disbeliever. We, as Christians, have a duty to work, if we are able, and provide for ourselves, our immediate family (while at home), and parents (if need be).
V9 “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…” Another qualifier is age and married to one man at a time.
V10 “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.” Next qualifier is a reputation for doing doing works. She carries out a ministry. Next, she has raised children (whether her own or of others). Other qualifiers are lodging strangers (Acts 16:15), washed the feet of the saints (welcoming in to her house for care), relieving the suffering of others (as far as she is able). Since she does not have the money, she provides physical, emotional, or spiritual assistance.
V11 “But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry… If they are under 60, take care not to enroll them unless there are unusual considerations. Perhaps, to be enrolled, they took a vow to serve Christ and the local church. The Greek word for “wanton” is (G2691) καταστρηνιάω katastrēniáō; contracted katastrēniṓ, which means sensual desires. This is not necessarily wrong, but if they made a vow to serve Christ and the church, then there is a problem. Vows are serious in God’s eyes.
V12 “…having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.” If they did take a vow and violated it. They went against their vow, which is not approved by God. They don’t lose their salvation. They do lose God’s blessing. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown comment: “(Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary) There could be no hardship at the age of sixty or upwards in not marrying again (end of 1Ti 5:9), for the sake of serving better the cause of Christ as presbyteresses; though, to ordinary widows, no barrier existed against remarriage (1Co 7:39). This is altogether distinct from Rome’s unnatural vows of celibacy in the case of young marriageable women. The widow-presbyteresses, moreover, engaged to remain single, not as though single life were holier than married life (according to Rome’s teaching), but because the interests of Christ’s cause made it desirable (see on 1Ti 3:2). They had pledged “their first faith” to Christ as presbyteress widows; they now wish to transfer their faith to a husband (compare 1Co 7:32, 34).”
V13 “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.” Instead of serving the Lord Jesus and the church, they begin listening and spreading gossip. Going from house to house, they were expected to assist in some way, but they did not (“idle”). Busybodies by talking and hindering the household from whatever work is being done.
V14 “Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.“ Paul gives the advice of an Apostle. The Greek word for “manage/guide” is (G3616) οἰκοδεσποτέω oikodespotéō, which means “to be master (or head) of a house; to rule a household, manage family affairs” (Thayer). A husband does best to delegate to his wife the general day to day management of household activities. It is not God’s way of leadership to be a micromanager. God delegates to others instead of doing everything Himself. Thus, we see angels doing his will (Daniel 9:20-21), people (Acts 16:9-10), Moses was given this advice by his father-in-law Jethro (a priest of God–Exodus 3:1) in Exodus 18:17-23, and prophet as in Jeremiah 22:1.
V15 “For some have already turned aside after Satan.” Paul is writing about some widows who are following the ways of satan by following his desires, the desires of the flesh and the fleshly mind. It does not mean they have lost their faith and going to hell. Paul was commissioned to preach the Gospel. One effect of his preaching would be to turn people from satan to Jesus (Acts 22:18).
V16 “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.” In summary, follow these guidelines for taking care of widows indeed. It makes for stronger Christians, a stronger church, and faithful Christian service.