Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
1 TIMOTHY 5
Widows, Elders and Slaves
1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.
16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.
17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.
Application Notes
5:1-2 Paul encourages Timothy, as a pastor, to treat the people in his congregation as members of his family. People in ministry positions can avoid improper attitudes toward those they minister to by treating them as family members. If pastors see the people they shepherd as fellow members in God's family, they will protect them and help them grow spiritually.
5:3-16 Paul wanted Christian families to be as self-supporting as possible. He insisted that children and grandchildren take care of the widows in their families (5:4); he suggested that younger widows remarry and start new families (5:14); he ordered the church not to support lazy members who refused to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Nevertheless, when necessary, the believers pooled their resources (Acts 2:44-47); they gave generously to help disaster-ridden churches (1 Corinthians 16:1-4); they took care of a large number of widows (Acts 6:1-6). The church has always had limited resources and has always had to balance financial responsibility with generosity. It only makes sense for members to work as hard as they can and to be as independent as possible so that they can adequately care for themselves and for members who are not so well-off. When church members are both responsible and generous, everyone's needs will be met.
5:3-5 Because this society had no pensions, no social security, no life insurance, and few honourable jobs for women, widows were usually unable to support themselves. The responsibility for caring for the helpless naturally falls first on their families--the people whose lives are most closely linked with theirs. Paul stresses the importance of families caring for the needs of widows and not leaving this for the church to do. The church can then care for the widows who have no families. In Paul's day, a widow who had no children or other family members to support her was doomed to poverty. From the beginning, the church has taken care of its widows, who in turn give valuable service to the other members of the congregation.
The church should support those who have no families and should also help those who are elderly, young, disabled, ill, or poverty-stricken with their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs. Often, families who are caring for their own helpless members have heavy burdens. They may need extra money, a listening ear, a helping hand, or a word of encouragement. Interestingly, those who are helped often turn around and help others, turning the church into a more caring community. Don't wait for people to ask. Take the initiative and look for ways to serve them.
5:8 Healthy homes remain the best possible training environment for children. When it comes to caring for relatives and honouring parents, children take most of their cues by watching how Mom and Dad honour the grandparents. If children see the way parents care for their own parents, they will understand the importance of such honour for theirs in the future. Healthy, practical honour becomes a priceless gift that one generation gives to another. Disrespect and lack of care provide harmful examples that will eventually turn on us. The warning in this verse is ominous indeed.
5:9-16 Apparently, some older widows had been "put on the list of widows" meaning that they had taken a vow committing themselves to work for the church in exchange for financial support. Paul lists a few qualifications for such church workers: These widows should be at least 60 years old, should have been faithful to their husbands, and should be well known for their kind deeds. Younger widows should not be included in this group because they might desire to marry again and thus have to break their pledge.
Many wives eventually are widowed, and many of the older women in our churches have lost their husbands. Does your church provide an avenue of service for these women? Could you help match their gifts and abilities with your church's needs? Often their maturity and wisdom can be of great service in the church.
5:15 "Turned away to follow Satan" describes the immoral conduct that identified these women with their pagan neighbours. They had abandoned their commitment to Christ and his church, turning instead to a lifestyle dominated by their sinful nature.
5:17-18 Faithful pastors and church leaders should be supported and appreciated. Too often, they are targets for criticism because their congregations have unrealistic expectations. How do you treat your church leaders? Find ways to encourage them and to show your appreciation for them. and curb any undue criticism. Make sure they receive enough financial support to allow them to live without worry and to provide for the needs of their families. Jesus and Paul emphasised the importance of supporting those who lead and teach us (see Galatians 6:6; the second note on Luke 10:7; and the note on 1 Corinthians 9:4-10). Giving to our ministers cheerfully, gratefully, and generously gives glory to Goel
5:17 Preaching and teaching are closely related. Preaching is proclaiming the Word of God and confronting listeners with the truth of Scripture. Teaching is explaining the truth in Scripture, helping learners understand difficult passages, and helping them apply God's Word to daily life. Paul says that these "elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour." Unfortunately, we often take them for granted by not providing adequately for their needs or by subjecting them to more criticism than encouragement. Think of how you can honour your leaders who work hard at preaching and teaching.
5:19-21 Church leaders are not exempt from sin, faults, and mistakes. But they are often criticised for the wrong reasons--minor imperfections. failing to meet someone's expectations. personality clashes. Thus. Paul said that accusations should not even be heard unless two or three witnesses confirm them. Sometimes, church leaders should be confronted about their behaviour, and sometimes they should be rebuked. But all rebuking must be done fairly and lovingly and for the purpose of restoration. If, however, two or three witnesses do confirm improper behaviour, no matter how great the church's impact or how dreadful the consequences might be, follow Paul's instructions. If private confrontations do not bring change and restoration, then follow Paul's instructions (see also Matthew 18:15-17 and the note there). Reprimand them publicly in front of the church--not to shame them, but to stop the lies and secrets. The truth will come out eventually, and hiding it does more damage than confessing the sin right away.
5:21 Church leadership carries a heavy responsibility. As difficult as it might be. Timothy was not to waver on any of Paul's instructions, and particularly the instructions about rebuking elders. Any needed discipline or rebuke had to be administered without regard to Timothy's personal inclinations or favouritism. Likewise, leadership in the church today must be guided with maturity, faithfulness. godliness, and lack of favouritism. The health of a body of believers is far more important than playing favorites with someone who is failing to meet the standards set forth here.
5:22, 24-25 Paul says that a church should never be in a hurry to choose its leaders, especially a pastor, because major problems or sins might be overlooked. Church leaders must have strong faith and be morally upright, having the qualities described in 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. Not everyone who wants to be a church leader is eligible. Be certain of an applicant's qualifications before asking him or her to take a leadership position. A person might want to be in church leadership, but that person must first be called by God through the Holy Spirit, meet the biblical qualifications, and then be confirmed by the body of believers who are charged with the approval process.
5:23 It is unclear why Paul gave this advice to Timothy. Perhaps contaminated water had led to Timothy's problem. Whatever the reason, this statement is not an invitation to overindulgence in alcohol. Paul's advice indicates his care for Timothy, not just for his spiritual health as a pastor, but also for his physical health.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)