September 22, 2019
Evening Service

In chapter 4 Paul, warned us again about false teachers who are teaching “lies and hypocrisy” as they are giving heed to “deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.”  Satan is looking to deceive us in any way that he can so it is very important to read and study the scriptures and judge everything by putting it through the filter of the Word.  If it lines up then accept it, if not reject it.  Paul also encouraged us to flex our spiritual muscles by giving attention to reading, exhortation and pay close attention to be sure we are on the right path that leads us closer to God and not farther away.  He instructed us to:

1Ti 4:15-16 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  (16)  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

        I took that as a personal challenge to examine my heart and life and see if I am truly “giving myself entirely to the things of God” and living a life that is a good example to others.  I also took it as a great comfort that as I do this I can change myself for the better and affect those around me in a positive way as I grow in Christ.  Our commitment to follow Christ can be contagious.  Paul now continues his teaching on how church is to be conducted and how we are to treat each other.

 

1Ti 5:1-2 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 again uses something we understand, the family unit, to open the eyes of our heart to a spiritual truth.  We are to treat older men in our congregation with the respect and dignity that would mirror how we would treat our own father.  We would not rebuke our father, but would have patience with them and show a sincere respect for them as we do anyone who has authority over us.  Treating the elder generation with respect is one of the biggest failures our society having neglected to pass it down to the next generation.  In the church we need to embrace them and continue to look for ways to have them invest their wealth of knowledge and experiences to build us up.  They are not to be cast aside and ignored, but should be cherished, adored, and used to make our fellowship better.

            Younger men are to be treated as our brothers.  We are to hold one another accountable for our actions and attempt to set each other straight when we detour from the path that we are to be on.  We are also to be a tight knit group just like brothers are.  Brothers fight among themselves, but if an outsider threatens one of them, he better be ready to fight them all.  We are to be there to help our brothers bear the burdens of life and fight right alongside with them.  “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.”

            Paul also encourages us to treat older women as we do our mother and younger women as we would our sisters.  The same things can be said as with men as the older women deserve our respect and love.  We need to engage them as well to learn from them who have been through many hardships.  Paul simplifies a very complex situation of how males and females in the church are to interact by saying we treat each other like siblings.  We are to love and help one another treating each other with respect and dignity.  This can be a very dangerous relationship for those who are not approaching it in this manner.  Guardrails are needed to keep us from making wrong choices.  Now Paul discusses the treatment of widows.

 

1Ti 5:3-4 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.

            Paul is very straight forward in defining “true widows” as those who do not have family to care for them.  He makes it clear that it is the children and grandchildren’s responsibility to care for their parent or grandparent first and that should not fall to the church to support them as we will see this reinforced in verse 8.

 

1Ti 5:5-8 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.

            “True widows” are ladies who are committed followers of Christ and continue to trust God for their well-being.  In this society there was no social security or help for these ladies, but they were to be taken care of first by their family and if there was none it fell to the church to provide.  Paul again stresses that family is responsible for family with no excuses available.  He continues his description of “true widows.”

        1Ti 5:9-16 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.

        “True widows” are older than 60 and have lived a life that reflects that of a faithful Jesus follower.  They have flourished in their good works of loving others as Christ loved them.  Paul warns against supporting the younger widows as that can lead to a life of idleness and the temptations that come from that. He would prefer that these women remarry and manage their new household.

 

1Ti 5:17-20 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."  (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.

        Paul speaks of our treatment of the leadership of the church should be one of double honor.  The responsibility they have accepted upon themselves should be a point of great respect for the work that they do laboring to keep the flock well fed, cared for, and protected.  They as shadowed by the treatment of the Levitical tribe of the OT should have their physical needs met as wages for their work as Paul quotes DT. 25:4 and Jesus from Luke 10:7.  Church leadership can be a thankless job that comes with much demand and criticism, but little appreciation.  Paul bring this to our attention to be sure that does not happen.

            Any accusation against a church leader must come only with the agreement of 2 or 3 witnesses which has been carried over from the Mosaic Law (Num. 35:30).  This does not mean leaders cannot be found to have shortcomings.  Verse 20 states that those leaders who have been confronted with their sin and continue in it, need to be publicly rebuked. Paul finishes this chapter in a flurry of commands for Timothy.

 

1Ti 5:21-25 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.  (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.

            The church is in no way or time to ever act in a manner that show prejudice or partiality which again is carried over from the Mosaic Law (Dt. 1:17).  We are to treat everyone equally as the “ground at the foot of the cross is level.”  We are all sinners saved by grace.

            Paul returns to the idea of letting someone have a time of “proving themselves” before they are given a position of authority.  He also adds that we must be careful as we help others escape their sins, we much be careful not to get caught up in them ourselves (guardrails).

            Paul also encourages Timothy to drink a little wine for the stomach’s sake” as this is one of the scriptures that leads commentators to believed Timothy was nervous and timid about his calling to preach.  It also points to an approval to drink alcohol in moderation and not a total abstinence from it.

            His final point is that time always brings out the truth.  For some, it reveals their sin and for others it reveals their good works.  Don’t judge others too quickly, but let time and patience be on your side.

           

In this chapter Paul has given us some very practical ways to treat one another within the church.  We need to put these things into action so we can reflect the true love of Christ to this world.

 

Heavenly Father thank You for Your Word as it instructs us clearly how we are to conduct ourselves in Your church.