6 Paul's Charge Concerning Relationships Withing The Congregation
Paul’s Charge Concerning Relationships Withing The Congregation Letters to Timothy #6 –1 Timothy 5:1-25: Paul’s Charge Concerning Relationships within the Congregation
How to treat all members (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
Older men
Not to be rebuked as one would a peer; show respect to age
Encourage and speak respectfully, even in a disagreement
Treat with the same respect and deference as one’s own father (Leviticus 19:32)
Younger men
Treat them as brothers—an inseparable part of the family
These were the men Timothy would travel through life with
Older women
Treat them as mothers—with the highest respect and courtesy
God has given us many “mothers” and “fathers” in the church, who can have an incredible impact on the young (and not-so-young) Christian
Younger women
“Purity” here from root word “holiness”--recognizes a boundary that sets something apart as special
Treat them with respect and courtesy
Avoid any appearance of improper motives
How to treat widows (1 Timothy 5:3-16)
The situation of the widows
Unmarried women in the 1st century were limited in their options for making a livelihood
Widows who did not have a family to take them in often fell into poverty
Though our society makes more provision for indigent senior citizens than did the Romans, it is still a serious issue
The early church made provision for ongoing support of destitute widows (cf. Acts 6:1-15); “honor” in 1 Timothy 4:3 same as in Acts 28:10, implies financial, material contributions
Family responsibility (1 Timothy 5:4-8, 1 Timothy 5:16)
These verses make it clear that the first line of defense should be the physical family, if they are able
It allows children to “make a return” for care given when they were infants, depending on support of the parents
Refusal to support one’s family denies the unselfish love upon which Christianity was founded (James 1:27)
Qualifications for ongoing benevolent relief (1 Timothy 5:9-10)
No adequate family support
Not less than 60 years old
Wife of one husband—good moral character in this area
Brought up children—may be both her own and those of others; bringing them up physically and spiritually
Hospitable—this hospitality is now returned to her
Washed the feet of the saints—not above any task
Cared for the afflicted—as she is now cared for
Devoted (“addicted”) to good works
Concerns about young widows (1 Timothy 5:11-15)
Temptation toward self-indulgence (1 Timothy 5:6)
Temptation to leave the faith to gain a husband (1 Timothy 5:11-12)
Temptation to become idle gossips (1 Timothy 5:13)
Remarriage is likely to be a better path for these (1 Timothy 5:14)
How to treat elders (1 Timothy 5:17-20)
Financial support of elders (1 Timothy 5:17-18)
This is not commanded—just as Paul did not always take pay for his preaching, though he had that right (1 Corinthians 9:12)
But it is appropriate, especially for those who teach
“Double honor” may mean both respect and support
Incidentally, this shows that some elders may concentrate their efforts on public teaching, while some may not; though all must be “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2)
Charges against elders (1 Timothy 5:19-20)
This is a matter of great seriousness (1 Timothy 5:21 a)
“Two or three witnesses” helps avoid personal vendettas; this was the standard in the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 19:15)
Christ established this as standard for all members (Matthew 18:15-17)
Show no partiality, neither for nor against (1 Timothy 5:21 b)
Personal instructions for Timothy (1 Timothy 5:21-25)
Paul reminds Timothy that the church is the kingdom of God (Hebrews 12:22-24)
Avoid favoritism (1 Timothy 5:22)
“Laying hands on” probably refers to ordaining elders or deacons, or appointment to any special ministry (Acts 13:3)
Don’t rush to judgment, either for or against a person
Be circumspect in appointing deacons and elders
“Act in haste, repent at leisure”
Instructions about Timothy’s health (1 Timothy 5:23)
Greeks drank water mixed with small amounts of wine
Timothy had avoided alcohol altogether—a good example!
Unsafe water, however, left few alternatives
A “little” wine for sake of his health was permitted
We can apply the same principle to other kinds of drugs
Using good judgment in dealing with others (1 Timothy 5:24-25)
We will not always be correct in our assessment of others
Good works are usually self-apparent; place a high premium on these in your judgment of another’s character
How to treat masters (1 Timothy 6:1-2)
Slavery in the 1st century
Usually a result of debt, or capture in battle; not race-based
Some slaves bought their freedom and rose to prominence
Most lived their lives at menial labor for room and board
Christ did not immediately overthrow this institution, but His principles led to its abandonment (cf. Philemon)
Christians were encouraged to obtain their freedom by legal means, and to avoid entering slavery (1 Corinthians 7:21-23)
Looking out for the Lord’s reputation
The slave was to act in a way that reflected well on the Lord and His church
This included respecting the legal authority of the master, however ill-deserved
No doubt this led to the conversion of more than one!
Avoiding presumption
The Christian slave with a Christian master was not to presume special advantages based on that fact
Rather, he should work all the harder for a brother
Giving our best for God’s glory
Our corresponding situation today is the employer/employee relationship
The Christian should be the best employee, setting a positive example (Colossians 3:22-24)
We should work in a way that reflects well on the Lord and His church
We should be respectful of our employers, whether they deserve it or not
We should work even harder for a good Christian employer, rather than taking advantage
This will bring glory to God, and enhance our ability to bring our co-workers to Christ