1 Timothy 5

I am going to start off our study of 1 Timothy 5 by quoting 2 Timothy 1:7 (lol)

“7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”

Some say Timothy was Timid at times because of the verse. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that Paul sent Timothy into plenty of uncomfortable situations and to deliver hard truths. Paul’s encouragement, as we will see in a bit, is to do it with respect. Respect your elders, treat the young ones with respect and purity.

1 Timothy 5 (CSB)

1 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,

2 older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.

3 Support widows who are genuinely in need.

Exodus Chapter 22

22 “You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, they will no doubt cry to me, and I will certainly hear their cry.

Paul is instructing the church to care for its members. In order to care for them, we must be observant. We must have finances on the ready and people willing. The Road does an outstanding job at this.

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.

5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers;

6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.

7 Command this also, so that they will be above reproach.

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband,

10 and is well known for good works—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.

11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry

12 and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge.

13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.

14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.

15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan.

16 If any believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.

—This could sound harsh. Paul is trying to focus Young Timothy’s attention to the widow’s that are truly in need. This must have been a very difficult message for Timothy to deliver.

17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, The worker is worthy of his wages.

1 Timothy 5:18 states, "For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages.'" This verse combines two scriptural references to emphasize the importance of fair compensation for those who work, particularly within the church.

1. **"You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain"**:

- This quote is from Deuteronomy 25:4. In ancient agricultural practices, an ox would be used to tread out grain, and the law commanded that the ox should not be muzzled, allowing it to eat while working. This principle is applied metaphorically to church leaders, suggesting that those who labor in ministry should be allowed to benefit from their work¹.

2. **"The laborer deserves his wages"**:

- This phrase echoes Jesus' words in Luke 10:7, where He instructs His disciples that workers deserve their pay. Paul uses this to reinforce the idea that church leaders, who work hard in preaching and teaching, should be fairly compensated for their efforts².

Together, these references support the argument that those who dedicate themselves to the service of the church should receive appropriate financial support, ensuring they can continue their work without undue hardship.

19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.

20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid.

21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

22 Don’t be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24 Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later.

25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.