I Timothy Widows
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I Tim 5.1-16
There is a deep problem within the church of Ephesus. One that will have to be rooted out while at the same time tender enough as not to damage the fruitful church that remains.
Consider the Parable of Jesus. (Matthew 13:24-30) That has been come known as the parable of the tares and wheat. Remember that a fruitful harvest has been planted. When the householder slept the enemy came and planted tares among the wheat. Both grew together and the servants were ready to go and tear out the tares.
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
So in the church the Pastor Timothy will have to use wisdom when dealing with those that are both faithful and those who contribute to the false teaching running through the church.
Among these instructions are How to wisely build relationships with those in the church.
Older men - Fathers
Older women - Mothers
Young men - Brothers
Young women - Purity
Then the Widows…
Here is where the Apostle is going to guide Timothy in his understanding and where we get our biggest hints about what was happening in Ephesus.
First let it be said that the Apostle, Timothy, Jesus, and Pastor Metsinger love widows.
Jesus showed kindness and compassion to widows on several occasions throughout the Gospels. Here are a few examples:
The Widow's Offering (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4):In the Gospel of Mark and Luke, Jesus observes a poor widow putting two small coins into the temple treasury. Despite the small amount, Jesus commends her, saying that she has given more than all the others because she gave out of her poverty.
Raising the Widow's Son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17):In Luke 7, Jesus encounters a funeral procession in the town of Nain. The deceased was the only son of a widow. Touched by her grief, Jesus raises her son back to life, demonstrating his compassion for her dire situation.
The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-24; Luke 4:24-26):Although this story is from the Old Testament, Jesus references it in his teaching in Luke 4. Jesus reminds the people that during the time of the prophet Elijah, there were many widows in Israel, but God sent Elijah to help a widow in Zarephath, emphasizing God's care for widows.
Jesus and the Widow's Persistence (Luke 18:1-8):In Luke 18, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow to illustrate the importance of persistent prayer. Though not a direct interaction, the parable emphasizes God's concern for justice and the importance of persistently seeking it.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Pauls instructions:
Honour widows that are widows indeed.
Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
But why the phrase. “Widows in deed.”
Because there were widows in the church that instead of using their time and life well were falling on the good graces of others as a way of living life. And in so doing their days were not taken up with useful exercises or prayer but moving around with the act of busy bodies.
So Paul breaks up the church’s responsibility…
Physical needs.
The church should care for the widows who do not have family to care for them.
What about those that have no kids and are desolate? - Care for them.
But this is for the widow that is faithful to God. And praying and faithful in her church.
Here is where Paul points out a Spiritual truth that applies to all believers and has a reality in the culture at large.
CIT: Real life cannot be found in the pursuit of pleasure.
Exposition:
Living for Pleasure threatens our innocence.
And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
Living for Pleasure threatens our Testimony.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Living for Pleasure threatens our Hold on the Master
Remember that Jesus said that real life was in him.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Are we to take from this that all pleasure is wrong?
Seeking Pleasure in God: Psalm 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
In thy presence is fulness of joy;
At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Here, the psalmist acknowledges that true and lasting pleasure is found in the presence of God.
Enjoying God's Good Gifts:1 Timothy 6:17 encourages believers to recognize and enjoy the good things God has provided:
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Warning Against Hedonism: Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 reflects on the pursuits of pleasure without God:
And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Balancing Pleasure with Righteousness: Hebrews 11:25 speaks of Moses choosing to endure mistreatment rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin:
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Consider even this text:
What is the problem?
That they get married?
But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
No, Remember is the false teachers that commanded not to be married. 4:3
In fact vs 14 Paul commands marriage…
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
The problem is that they left the things of God to chase after their desires and pleasure. All that they had claimed to be true to their children and their spouse is now thrown off.
Living Sensual lives is different than living with senses in our life.
Sexuality is a beautiful gift from God. But when your whole life is aimed at one pleasure it becomes destructive. So God gives it the bounds of marriage so that it can be experienced.
Financial comforts were enjoyed throughout Scripture these are not wrong in an of themselves but they are a weak aim for a life.
That which weakens our love for the things of God should be rethought.
Consider the Author and Finisher of our faith
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Temptation in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13): After fasting for 40 days and nights, Jesus faced temptations from the devil. The devil offered Him various pleasures and shortcuts, but Jesus resisted, choosing to prioritize obedience to God over personal comfort.
Gethsemane Prayer (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46): In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the imminent crucifixion, Jesus prayed in anguish. He expressed his desire for the cup of suffering to pass from Him, yet ultimately submitted to the Father's will, saying, "Not as I will, but as you will."
Denial of Comfort (Matthew 8:18-22; Luke 9:57-62): Jesus told a would-be follower that even foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head, emphasizing the sacrificial nature of discipleship.
Discourse on the Bread of Life (John 6:22-71):In John 6, Jesus faced a crowd that wanted to make Him king after the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Instead of pursuing earthly power and popularity, Jesus redirected their focus to spiritual matters, emphasizing the importance of spiritual nourishment over physical satisfaction.
Jesus consistently demonstrated a commitment to the will of the Father, choosing obedience and the fulfillment of God's purposes over personal comfort or immediate gratification. These illustrate the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and his unwavering commitment to fulfilling the Will of God.