1 Timothy 5:1-16

1 Timothy 5:1–2 “1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.”

Relating to others in the Church

Honor, respect, provide, protect

older men- as fathers

younger men- as brothers

older women- as mothers

younger women- as sisters (in all purity)

Ministering to Widows

James 1:27 ESV

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

1 Timothy 5:3–8 “3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

God’s protection and provision for Widows

God is described as the “protector of widows” and as one who executes justice for them.

Psalm 68:5 “5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”

Psalm 146:9 “9 The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.”

Deuteronomy 10:17–18 “17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. 18 He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.”

Role of family in the care of their elderly and widowed

1 Timothy 5:4 “4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.”

Why? What is God revealing about Himself in this command? What is He teaching His people?

Qualifying Widows

Enrolled - Order of Widows?

explains v.11-12 “abandoning the faith” (fidelity to a widow’s vow= dedicated service to Jesus and the church. Perhaps an order of Widows.

“drawn away from Christ” shows a level of distinction between the church and the world

Deuteronomy 23:21–22 “21 “If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. 22 But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin.”

Helping Without Hurting

1 Timothy 5:11–15 “11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan.”

Helping without Hurting- unintended consequences of “help”

Disqualification of younger widows

what sometimes happens

1 Timothy 5:13 “13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.”

no condemnation of marriage after death of a spouse (v. 12,14)

1 Timothy 5:12 “12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.”

1 Timothy 5:14 “14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.”

Prescription for a Compassionate Church

let family care for family

God reveals Himself

God teaches generational compassion

let the church see to the needs of the genuinely needy

God’s provision and protection lived out in the life of the Body of Christ