CHAPTER 5

I'm going to do a little introduction to this very important chapter.

This chapter deals with how to maintain a correct relationship
in the church.
Rom. 14:7 says, "For NONE of us liveth to himself, and no man
dieth to himself."
From that Scripture comes the saying: "No man is an island unto
himself."

You see, EVERY person's actions have chain-reactions with others!

We NEED each other, so we must learn HOW to live TOGETHER!
ESPECIALLY in a FAMILY like the church!

Example:
A little boy is playing on the floor, and his little sister crawls behind
him and whacks him on the head with a toy.
So, he whacks HER!

Mom says, "SON! You can't hit your little sister! Learn how to get
along with her!"

A few minutes later, the little sister REPEATS the act!
The boy then puts her in a headlock, and says, "Now I love you; but
we have to learn how to get along together.
So, I'm just going to hold you close for awhile."

Vs 1
Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father, and the
younger men as brethren;

INTREAT -- is the Greek word parakaleo meaning to call near.
The intimation is to approach with kindness.
If an elder has a problem, the minister (pastor) is not to treat
with harshness, but to approach with honor.

BRETHREN - is the Greek word adelphos meaning a
brother.
Younger men are to be treated as BROTHERS!

Vs 2
The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Again, the reference is to treating with kindness, and not having
a departure from purity and propriety.

People ARE going to TALK about the pastor!
PREPARE for it by exhibiting prudence and integrity in all actions!

Vs 3
Honour widows that are widows indeed.

What is a widow indeed?
As we read, and study, further in this Scripture, we find MORE
about a widow indeed. The widow is bereaved from the loss of her husband.
There is grieving, sorrow.
The widow indeed, has no children to depend upon,
is "desolate"; but trusts in God fully, and has diligently
"followed every good work."
(see 1Tim. 5:5-10)

Vss 4-6
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to
show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good
and acceptable before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God,
and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she livieth.

The word "piety" means to show support and respect.
The word "requite" means to give, deliver again, perform
respect with aid.

Therefore, widows who have family (children, nephews) should be
given help from that family. It is RIGHT & ACCEPTABLE with God!

BECAUSE the "widow indeed" loves God, and prays
every day for her family.

Now, there ARE some widows who have been left with plenty by
their husbands.
And, some of them live in "pleasure" which comes from the
Greek word spatalaoo.
This word is only used one other time in the New Testament, in
James 5:5, "Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth."

The word itself refers to having plenty to eat and drink, and the
provision of luxurious living.
Those widows can take care of themselves and need no monetary
aid from the church. However, they may need physical aid at times.

Many houses have been remodeled and wheel-chair ramps
provided by the church.

And, IF a widow chooses to live in the "pleasure" and not
in the ways of God, then she is "dead" to the real truth
of life.

Remember, we are getting a lesson HOW to get along with others!

Vs 7
And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

"THESE THINGS," I believe, refer to the former
statements, AND to the following statements concerning
treatment of widows.

The church (and pastor) should "give in charge", or
MAKE CLEAR these things.
Then, others will know that children have duties to respect and
aid widowed mothers; also that they may know WHO are the
"widows INDEED."

Vs 8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially of his own house,
he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

The term "provide not for his OWN" refers to a person
who does not provide for his family (which includes widows).

The Scripture here says, "he hath denied the faith."
He has denied the teachings of God in the Bible.

AND, is "worse than an infidel!" -- a NONbeliever!

Titus 1:16 says, "They profess that they know God; but in WORKS
they DENY Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto
every good work reprobate."

Vss 9-10
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore
years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 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.

A widow is NOT eligible to be provided for by the church IF:
she is under 60 years of age: even though she has shown
good faith in Christ.
HERE'S WHY:

Vss 11-15
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to
wax wanton against Christ, they will mary;
12 Having damnation, because they cast off their first faith.
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house
to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies,
speaking things which they ought not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children,
guide the house, give none occasion to the adversay to speak
reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

Verse 15 indicates that some of those things in verses 11-14
have already happened.
It is true that these things happen at times, even in the church.

SOMETIMES younger widows:
"wax wanton," or become insolent toward God's commands.
Instead of living that way, they might want to consider becoming
married again.

In verse 12, the word "damnation" means making a
decision to act/live AGAINST the principles of God's Word.
That word does not imply the loss of salvation, it clearly means
they have GUILT. And, perhaps becoming "talebearers" or
gossipers. (See Lev. 19:16, Prov. 26:20)
In verse 13, the word "idle" means becoming less active
in the will of God.
In verse 14, the prudent response should be to let them consider
becoming married again.

(Break! Two huge dinossaurs arose from a cliff in Virginia and
began eating huge buildings. One started for the White House.
The other yelled: "DON'T EAT THAT! It has NUTS in it!")

Vs 16
16 If any manor woman that believeth have widows, let them
relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may
relive them that are widows indeed.

A cumulative statement. (See vs 8 above)
FIRST, let the CHILDREN take care of the widow.
SECOND, they church is to care for those who are "widows
indeed."

Vss 17-18
17 Let the elder that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,
especially they who labour in the Word and doctrine.
18 For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that
treadeth the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

(See Deut. 25:4, and Lev. 1913)
I take that to mean have RESPECT and SUSTENANCE for those
who work diligently in the Word to present it to the church.
The Greek word for "elder" here is presbuteros.

Certainly, officers of the church should be compensated for
utilizing their time and effort in ruling well to devote
service to the church.
In this text, the Scripture states "double honour."

In most churches of today, this rule is followed not only by
giving respect but also some financial contribution because
these officers utilize time, talent and patience in fulfilling their
office: Pastor, Youth Minister, Music Director, Associate
Pastor, Secretary, etc.

Vs 19
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two
or three witnesses.

If an accusation is made against a minister/deacon, there must
be two or three witnesses!
OTHERWISE, the accusation is NOT to be received!

Vs 20
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

When a member, or even an officer of the church, has been
PROVEN of Biblical misconduct, "rebuke" should be
made before the church.
Sometimes, it also requires suspension or dispelling from
membership.

Vs 21
I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring
one before another, doing nothing by paritiality.

The meaning is to take action (if necessary) WITHOUT prejudice
concerning ran, wealth, or personal friendship.

It is important that in actions of kindness, care, and even in
punitive actions, that their be NO prejudice or partiality.
EACH member of the family of Christ is as important as any
other!
ALL should be treated with respect and honor!

The following verses seem to be directed PERSONALLY to
Timothy.

Vs 22
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other
men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Perhaps this admonition refers to the former verse.
Ordaining of a person to a position, is begun by God in a CALL
to that person for delegation to an office for which he is
QUALIFIED to obtain.
The person must CONFESS that call to the church.
THEN, the call is verified by the church body.
THEN, the church may ORDAIN that person.

Ordination is NOT to be shadowed because of personal
acquaintance, but by PROOF of call in recognizing it through
the church body.

Vs 23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake
and thine often infirmities.

We might say do not just drink water ONLY, but add a little
wine WITH it to help correct your bodily infirmities.

Water, in the area where Timothy ministered was often
contaminated and could cause stomach and bowel problems,
as well as some other problems.

In that area, (and even today) a little wine was mingled with
water in order to correct the contamination and problems it
presented.

Now, we don't know what problems Timothy had, but we do know
by the Scripture they were "often".

Obviously, Timothy was what we might call a tee-totaller,
and used no alcohol.
He was evidently a very adamant man about not being labelled
as a drunkard!

Jesus faced that same problem.
He came with gentle kindness, partaking of the world's goodness,
and proclaiming salvation free to EVERYONE.
Jesus participated in the normal social behavior of mankind.

But people called Him a "low social" being.
Jesus responded in Matt. 11:19 with, "The Son of man came
eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a
winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified
of her children."

Those who refused Christ refused Wisdom.
For He is Wisdom.
A patient, taking the medication prescribed by the doctor, is cured.
The patient's action "justifies" the doctor's wisdom.
The person who receives Christ receives the "cure" for sin!
And by following the directions of the Savior, the saved person
"justifies" true Wisdom - Jesus!

The truth of Jesus is to some "a stumbling block."
But to those who are called of God's Spirit, Jesus is
"the power of God and the wisdom of God."
(See 1 Corinthians 1:23-24.

Vs 24
Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to
judgment; and some men they follow after.

Some men's true character is revealed in their lifestyle.
Some men's sins "follow after," or, their true nature
is not easily seen.

The admonition to Timothy here is: BE CAREFUL in your
consideration of other people's character.
ALL may not be what is SEEN.

Vs 25
Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand;
and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Again, some men's true character are revealed in their lifestyle.
Some present a glory of God's indwelling as they live their lives.
And, again, ALL may not be what is SEEN.

But one day, ALL will be known at the throne of judgment of Christ!

Both verse 24 and 25 appropriately refer back to verse 22.
As Christians, we ARE given spiritual discernment.
However, we cannot ALWAYS tell the character of a person
by what is SHOWN in his lifestyle.

Therefore, be careful - take time - and let discerment be
as you follow the Word and WILL of God!

John Adams once wrote, "Statesmen...may plan and speculate
for liberty, but it is religion and morality ALONE which can
establish the PRINCIPLES upon which freedom can securely
STAND!"

A "light" ending.....
Once, Ann and I were sitting in our easy chairs.
I would rock forward and then back.
After about the 3rd time, she looked at me, and asked, "WHAT
are you doing?"
I just smiled and said, "SIT UPS!"