1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy 5:1-16

Directions for Timothy’s conduct towards persons in different circumstances, and particularly elders and widows : which leads the apostle to give some advices concerning those matrons who were intrusted by the church with some peculiar office, and supported out of the public stock in the discharge of it. 1 Tim. V. 1—16.

TIM. V. 1.? REBUKE not an elder, but entreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren,

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

TIMOTHY V. 1. THY office, O Timothy, will often oblige thee to censure the conduct of others, and sometimes of those who are more advanced in age than thyself. But remember to do it with a becoming modesty and tenderness. Rebuke not an aged man severely, but rather exhort [him] as a father, to perform whatever duty he neglects, or to avoid those temptations which may be dangerous to him : [and] as to the younger, though thou mayest use more freedom with them, yet remember still to treat them with kindness and affection, as brethren, and not with a lordly and supercilious contempt. Address thyself to the aged women, as mothers, [and] to the younger, as sisters, with all chastity, and the strictest decorum in thy converse with them ; remembering how many eyes are upon thee, and how fatal any thing, which might in that respect bring the least blemish upon thy character, would be to the honour and success of thy ministry, and to the credit of the gospel and its professors.

An aged man.] The opposition between which may farther be argued from the elder and younger, plainly shews, that opposition between elder and younger in reguillige here signifies an aged person, the next verse.

And to honour widows that were widows :

Honour, and endeavour honourably to support, those widows who are truly widows, and whose destitute circumstances recommend them as the certain objects of charity. But if any widow hath children, or grand children, who are capable of supporting her, let them learn first to exercise grateful piety at home, and to repay the benefits they have received from their parents, or remoter progenitors, in their necessities, before they talk of extending their generosity to others; for this is good and decent, fair and beautiful in the eyes of men, and it is likewise acceptable before God, who requires us, out of regard to his honour and favour, to attend carefully to the duties of those relations in which we stand to each other.

Now that you may understand the character, to which I advise you to confine your charitable exhibitions, I must add, that she who is truly a widow, and thus left alone, and destitute of the assistance of human friends, is one that hopeth in the good Providence of God, reposing herself with humble confidence on his faithful care, and continues constantly day and night in supplications and prayers, makes devotion her business, in the proper return of its daily seasons, and endeavours to be as much at leisure for it as her circumstances in life will permit. But she that liveth luxuriously, as some Christian widows, to the great shame and scandal of their profession, do, is indeed dead while she liveth, as to the noblest ends and purposes of life. And as this is a very important article, and these things, in some degree, affect Christians of all circumstances and relations in life, who are too ready to lose themselves in the pursuit of sensual pleasure, I desire thou wouldst give them in charge to all thy hearers, that so

Truly such.] Here is, as Calvin justly observes, an allusion to the Greek word dignity, which signifies a person in distressed and indigent circumstances.

Day and night.] That is, continually, morning and evening, and on every proper occasion, by night or by day, 1 Thes. ii. 10; iii. 10; 2 Thes. iii. 8; 2 Tim. i. 3.

Dead while she liveth.] Some philosophers, even among the barbarous nations,

are noted for having spoken of those as dead, who deserted what their sects esteemed the doctrines of truth, and abandoned themselves to sensual passions. The word ἀνάλογος, which we may render living in pleasure, properly signified faring deliciously; and Dr. Whitby observes, it especially refers to drinking strong and costly liquors.

to be taken on the list of widows under sixty ;

they may in this respect be blameless ;ᵉ and that, by maintaining a due government of themselves, and strenuously attending to the duties of life, they may answer the obligations under which they lie.

But especially insist upon it, that a due care be taken of the poor, by those of their relations who are capable of supporting them ; for if any do not provide for his own, and especially for those of his own house,ᶠ he hath, whatever he may pretend, in effect and practically denied the faith, and, on the whole, is worse than an infidel ;ᵍ bringing a greater dishonour upon the gospel than one who openly professes to reject it, while he is thus deficient in those duties which common humanity teaches even many of the heathens to practise themselves, and to inculcate upon others. Let not a widow be taken upon the listʰ of those to be maintained by the church, and to minister in the office of deaconnesses in it, who is under sixty years old, and then, only such a person who hath been the wife of one man,ⁱ and avoided all scandalous

ᵉ That they may be blameless.] Some would refer this to the widows ; but the gender of the word ἀνεπιληπία rather favours our referring it, either to the deacons, or to Timothy’s hearers in general ; since it is certain, that widows were not the only persons, who, in so luxurious a city as Ephesus, were in danger of falling into such sensualities as he had been warning them against.

ᶠ Those of his own house.] Τον οἰκείον seems to signify domestics, or those who dwelt with the indolent person here spoken of ; and it would certainly be an aggravation of his neglect, if these relations, whom he was unwilling according to his ability to maintain, were in his family, and consequently under his eye ; so that there does not seem to be reason, with Mr. Hallet, (Notes on Scrip. Vol. I. p. 31,) to conclude, it signifies those of the household of faith, as the apostle speaks elsewhere, (Gal. vi. 10,) that is, believing relatives.

ᵍ Worse than an infidel.] Dr. Whitby proves, by very apposite citations, that the heathens were sensible of the reasonableness and necessity of taking care of near relations, and especially of parents, when they fell into poverty.

ʰ Taken upon the list, &c.] Καλαεγιόβω has precisely this signification. Surely none can imagine, that the apostle meant to confine the charity of the church to widows of such an age, and who had all these characters ; we must therefore conclude, that he speaks of those who bore the office of deaconnesses, who were probably intrusted with the care of entertaining Christian strangers, whether ministers or others, and perhaps of educating some poor children, who might be maintained by the alms of the church. And it might, on many accounts, and for very obvious reasons, be proper, that this office should be committed only to persons of an advanced age, and such as had laid aside all thoughts of marrying again. It is evident, that they who had practised hospitality themselves in their more prosperous days, would be peculiarly fit for one part of this office, and peculiarly worthy of the countenance which this office gave, and of the trust which it implied.

ⁱ The wife of one man.] It is very certain that second marriages in general are not condemned by Christianity, and it would be a great objection against it if they were. The apostle expressly advise the younger widows to marry again, ver. 14.

nd they were to be persons of an exemplary character :

commerce with others. And, as some peculiar trust is reposed in such, let care be taken that she be [one] who hath a reputation for good works in general; and she will especially be worthy of such an encouragement and honour, if she have educated her own children with care, or any other children who have been committed to her; if in her more prosperous days she have expressed an hospitable temper, and lodged strangers, who have been at a loss for necessary accommodations on their journeys; especially if she have washed the saint’s feet, and in other respects relieved in a proper manner Christians in such circumstances; if she have, in other instances, according to her abilities, assisted the afflicted; and, in short, if she have followed every good work, and endeavoured to adorn her profession by a benevolent and useful life. But refuse to admit into such an office the younger widows; for when they grow wanton, as (though such a disposition be directed against the laws of Christ) many in such a circumstance of life do, they will marry, and perhaps to husbands who are strangers to Christianity. Thereby exposing themselves to just blame of men and condemnation from God, because they have disannulled their first faith, and violated their engagement to the church, when it assigned them such an office, to which it would be very inconvenient to admit persons that have any views of entering again into the conjugal state: not to say that some men have been enticed, by very improper alliances, to throw off even the general profession of Christianity. And indeed, with relation to several of such (as I have observed in societies less

and it would seem very hard to exclude them afterwards from this office, how fit soever they might be for it on other accounts, merely because they had done it. I therefore am inclinable to think the meaning of the expression, may be, one who has chastily confined herself to one husband, while in the married relation; for it is certain, that it never was usual among the Jews or the Greeks, to admit women to have more than one husband at once. It may deserve consideration, whether this may not reflect some light

on the correspondent phrase, when applied to a bishop, chap. iii. 2. ᵏ Grown wanton, &c] Kafagman is a strong expression, which cannot be exactly rendered into English. When these widows grew negligent of their proper duty, sensual affections might prevail upon them; and their credit among Christians being hurt by such an unbecoming conduct, it is very probable they might often be forced to take up with heather husbands, and so might at length be led to apostatize from Christianity.

ut he erects the younger widows to marry.

careful in this respect than were to be wished,) these women also, while they pretend to continue in their office, being idle and slothful in the province they have undertaken, instead of staying at home, and attending the proper duty of their charge, learn a [habit of] gadding abroad, and going from house to house; and [they are] not only idle, but triflers also¹ and busy bodies: there is a levity and impertinence in their behaviour, which is the natural result of neglecting to keep themselves well employed; and they are often speaking things that are very unbecoming, which do loudly proclaim the irregularity of their disposition, and shew how much their minds are vitiated and disordered.

I would therefore have the younger [widows,] instead of thinking of a trust and situation, for which they are generally so unfit, to marry again, if they are so inclined, as it is generally best that they should; and employ themselves in such cares as suit the mistress of a family, that they may breed children, [and] govern their domestic affairs so as to give no occasion to the adversary, who is glad to find any excuse for it, to speak reproachfully of religion, on account of the unsuitable behaviour of its professors. And I give the caution with the greater solicitude, because it is too evident, that, as for some, from whom the churches expected better things, they have already turned aside after Satan, so as to follow his leading and impulse, in direct opposition to the law of Christ, and much to the detriment of his interest.

But if any believer of either sex have near relations, who are widows, let them, as I advised before, take care of them at home, that the church may not be burdened with more charitable cases than it can properly support, but may take care of [those who are,] as I have said, truly widows, and must otherwise be left altogether desolate.

word φυτεροί, seems expresses the inward fermentation (κυτε, which I think may so speak) in the minds of the he noise which water fling people, which they vented by u dy to boil over. See itable discourses. therefore it very well

Reflections on the evil of a life of pleasure.

IMPROVEMENT.

SEC. MINISTERS are instructed by this apostolical advice, in that difficult duty, of managing reproof aright. Churches may learn how their poor are to be treated, and children may be reminded of that grateful tribute which they owe especially to their aged and necessitous parents. No recompense can be fully adequate, but surely to a generous temper nothing can be more delightful, than to soothe the declining years of those by whom our infant days were sustained, our feeble childhood supported, and our giddy youth moderated and directed.

Let St. Paul’s sentiments of a luxurious life be particularly attended to in this age of ours, in which so many are entirely devoted to these pleasures. They call it living, but the wiser apostle pronounces it a kind of moral death. And many of the heathens themselves have been instructed by nature to speak in a language like his. Nay some of them acted on this principle in a manner which might shame most that call themselves Christians. Let us learn to form our taste to nobler pleasures than those on which thoughtless multitudes are so intent. Let us cultivate those that are suited to our rational and immortal spirits, and that will not only follow us into the invisible world, but will there be exalted and improved.

But let us be particularly careful, that, while religion raises us above a sensual life, we do not make use of it as a pretence to excuse ourselves from attending to social duty. To neglect a due care of those whom Providence has committed to us, would, in the apostle’s language, be a denial of the faith, and would even argue us worse than infidels, who, deficient as they were in the knowledge of God, or in such regards to him as were even proportionable to what they knew, discoursed largely and excellently on the obligations of justice and benevolence to our fellow creatures, and were themselves examples of what they taught in relation to them.

Among other virtues here spoken of with due honour, a proper care in the education of children is none of the least. Let Christians of both sexes be diligent in it, and let women, to whom the chief care of children is consigned in those tender years, when the deepest and surest impressions are often made, be sensible, how great advantage the public may receive by their wise and pious conduct towards them. While many are triflers and busy bodies, running from house to house, and speaking things which they ought not, let women professing godliness remember they are to adorn it by the exercise of domestic virtues, so as to cut off occasion of speaking reproachfully, even from the ingenious malice of adversaries: occasion too often

that rules well is entitled to double honour ;

ho, while they follow the gay desires of their shions of this vain world, seem to have forgotable intended by the awful and lively phrase of the after Satan ; and make themselves his more in prey, by every step they take in these flatterwhich he would lead them to final destruction.

1 Timothy 5:17

directions concerning the regard to be shewn by ir faithful ministers ; concerning the method of inst those who were accused of any fault ; and t and regular manner of treating candidates for The section concludes with some other necessary rticulars for the instruction of Christian slaves. to the end. Chap. VI. 1, 2.

1 TIMOTHY V. 17.

I HAVE already been giving you some directions with relation to those who are elders in age, and now let me add a word or two concerning those who are distinguished by the office they bear in the Christian church, and have that title of respect and reverence given them on that account. And here, let the elders which preside well a be esteemed worthy of double honour, b and, as circumstances may require and admit, let them be respectfully maintained by the society ; especially those who, to all their other kind cares of a more private nature, add an exemplary attendance to that of public instruction, and labour with diligence and zeal in administering the word, and stating and vindicating the doctrine of the gospel in your relig-

a The elders who preside well ] Mr. Reeves (Apol. Vol. I. p. 115, note 7) must surely be driven to very great extremities, when, to ward off some consequences which were to him disagreeable, he concludes that these elders were bishops, in the English sense of the word, or persons of an order superior to common ministers : which interpretation would suppose, that some such officers in the church might preside well, though they did not labour in the word, while able to do it, which the following words evidently suppose the elders here spoken of to be ; for else their being disabled by age, or any other infir-

mities, would be a strong reason for their being honourably maintained, on account of the services of their better years. Compare note on 1 Thes. v. 12.

b Double honour. ] It is a scrupulous nicety of interpretation, to explain this a decision, that they were to have twice as much as the deaconnesses. Different circumstances might require different exhibitions to persons in the same office. I seems only to express a plentiful maintainance, (according to what they needed, and the society could afford,) given in a liberal and respectful manner.

nd an accusation against him is not easily to

ious assemblies. For you well remember, I doubt not, that the scripture has said, again and again, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn, but shalt allow him, while labouring upon it, to eat of it as his hunger requires: (Deut. xxv. 24; 1 Cor. ix. 9; and note:) and the Old Testament, as well as the words of our Lord and the reason of mankind, teaches us, that the workman [is] worthy of his hire: on which account the law requires that, instead of being entirely withheld from him, it should not be delayed for a day. (Deut. xxiv. 14; Lev. xix. 13.) Persons therefore, who labour in so honourable and important a work, are by no means to be neglected, nor suffered to want necessary support and encouragement. Great care should also be taken that their reputation, on which their usefulness will so much depend, may not be lightly impeached. Accordingly, do not receive an accusation against an elder, unless on the testimony of two or three credible witnesses; for the single report of any one person is not material enough to set against the word of an elder, maintaining his own innocence.

You will, I doubt not, use your utmost endeavours to preserve the purity of the church; yet, as offences will certainly come, let me advise you to keep up a due solemnity in church censures; and as for those that sin in any scandalous and remarkable manner, rebuke them before all, that even the rest of the congregation may fear, and stand upon their guard against those temptations, which have brought upon others such public admonition and reproof.

Especially they who labour.] This seems to intimate that there were some who, though they presided in the church, were not employed in preaching Limborch indeed is of opinion, thatπωλια signifies those who did even fatigue themselves with their extraordinary labours, which some might not do, who yet in the general preciled well, supposing preaching to be a part of their work. Limb. Theol. lib vii cap iv § 10. But it seems to me much more natural to follow the former interpretation. Compare 1 Cor. xvi 16. The workman, &c.] As the very

it is the opinion of the ingenious Mr. Seed, that St. Paul here quotes these words of the evangelist as of equal authority with those of Moses. Deut. xxv. 4. Seed’s Ser. Vol. II. p. 292.

Those that sin.] I see no reason for understanding this of offending elders: though, were it to be so taken, it would by a strong consequence be applicable to others. A humour of seeking a stricter connection than is any way necessary, has led many commentators into very limited, and sometimes into whimsical interpretations.

rges Timothy to do nothing by partiality. I know how contrary these faithful proceedings may sometimes be to flesh and blood, and therefore solemnly charge [the] before the blessed God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, (who, having kept their stations, when so many of their fellows were seduced by Satan, are now confirmed in a state of immutable felicity, and shall attend our common Lord to the awful judgment of the great day,) that thou keep these things without any prejudice against any part of them; doing nothing by partiality, in favour of one person more than another, according to the inducement of private friendship or affection. And as it is a matter of so great importance to the Christian church, what persons are admitted to minister in it. I must also charge thee, that thou lay hands suddenly and rashly on no man, to set him apart for that sacred trust, before his character and qualifications have been fully examined and thoroughly approved. Neither make thyself partaker in the sins of others, as thou wilt certainly do, if thou art the means of bringing those that thou mightest have discovered Mr. Jos. Mede in even archangels chosen test nearness to him, in the court of heavuments, to prove that er of celestial spirits, ction, appeared to me I rather chose to ex- ore general manner, I think much more ly and rashly.] That non of ( \text(re)\chi \text(soc) ), Raphe- hewn Though some to the laying on of on of notorious offend- and more natural to tion to the ministry; in this rite is often al- epistles. It has been most rational and can- nan Episcopacy, “What, after the settlement such at Ephesus, Timo- t to ordain elders, if a lay in presbyters, or in to the pastoral office? Iuld he, on this supposition, be directed to perform it h and not merely to advise and assist in the performance.” Bishop of Wi (Dr. Hoadly) of Epis. p. 392. But beg leave to answer, that this de appear to be the chief reason of Ti being sent to Ephesus, or rather be there, when Paul went into Mac (Chap. i. 3.) Various circumstance church might require, that a pe Timothy’s extraordinary gifts and ter, should be left to superintend th fairs: and it might reasonably be ta granted, that, as he was there by th tle’s special direction, so much would be paid to him, that he w desired to preside in their sacred s ties, in the same manner as Paul ha when among them But that no elde at any time be ordained, without th ence and concurrence of such an e dinary person, and that such an ex nary power and influence shoul wards be transferred to others, not manner qualified for the manageme are things neither easy to be prov rashly to be taken for granted, on tion of so great moment.

Different characters will require different tr.

to be unworthy men into the ministry; who may have much greater opportunities of doing mischief, in consequence of their bearing such an office, and may give great scandal, and lead many others astray. Therefore keep thyself pure from such pollutions, as well as all others, by guarding against the first occasion of them. A recollection of the difficulty of thy work, and what I know of the tenderness of thy constitution, and thy great abstinence, engage me to caution thee, that thou do not confine thyself any longer to drink water alone, but use a little wine mingled with it, for the sake of thy stomach, which needs to be strengthened by that more generous liquor in a moderate quantity; and out of regard to thy frequent infirmities, which otherwise may grow upon thee, so as to render thee incapable of that public service for which thou art so well qualified.ᵇ

In judging of characters, and passing sentence, according to the advice given above, you will find it necessary in different cases to use different precautions. The sins of some men are manifest, leading on to pass judgment on them without any difficulty; whereas some follow after, and are so artfully disguised, that it will require great diligence and strict examination to detect them. So also the good works of some are manifest to all, and spread a kind of glory around those that perform them, which renders them lovely and venerable in all eyes: and those which are otherwise, though for a while concealed under the thickest veils that humility can spread over them, cannot long be entirely hid. They will appear on accurate observation; and as they will at the last day be laid open to their public honour, they will in

ᵇ Use a little wine, &c.] One cannot orbear reflecting here, how very temperate Timothy must have been, to need an advice of this kind; which amounts to no more than mingling a little wine with his water. And what is said of his many infirmities, compared with the apostle’s exhortation to him, to be instant in preaching the word, may certainly teach us, that every weakness of constitution is not to be acquiesced in as an excuse for not going on with the ministry; though to be sure,

great allowances are to be made for bodily infirmities, and life itself may often depend upon seasonable interruptions of public labour. Sir Norton Knatchbull, observing that the connection is so broken between the 22ᵈ and 24ᵗʰ verses, by the insertion of this advice in this place, conjectures, that Paul might write it in the margin, by way of postscript, and that it was introduced into the text by the mistake of some early transcriber

ts should pay their masters all due respect.

the mean time recommend such silent and re-spect: served Christians to the esteem and respect of viii. those who are intimately conversant with them; and may even prove the means of advancing 1Tim. them to some important trusts, which they are v. 25 not the less fit for because they have so low an opinion of their own merit.

I shall only here add a word or two concern- VI. 1 ing servants, whom, inferior as their station in life is, I would not have you overlook; since their souls are equally valuable before God with those of their superiors, and much of the credit of Christianity is concerned in their conduct and behaviour. Let therefore as many servants as are under the yoke of bondage, account their own masters worthy of all that civil honour and respect which suits the station in which they respectively are; not taking occasion from their own religious knowledge and privileges to despise and rebel against them; that the name and doctrine of God, which they profess, may not be blasphemed by their insolence and pride. And as for those servants 2 who are so happy as to have believing masters, let them not presume upon that account to despise [them,] because they are brethren, and with respect to sacred privileges, equal in Christ their common Lord; but let them rather serve [them] with so much the greater care, tenderness, and respect, because they are faithful and beloved, [and] partakers with them of the great and glorious benefit which the gospel brings

Partakers with them of the benefit] Some would render or the ways to be as follows: &c. because they who partake of the benefit, that is, the benefit of their service, are faithful and beloved. But this seems to take it for granted, that what the apostle exhorted to was already actually done; that is, that such faithful services were rendered. Others, as Mr Cradock has observed, (Apost. Hist. p. 221,) would translate it, who will be careful to recompense the well doing of their servants; but I think ways to signifies a benefit freely conferred, and therefore is hardly fit to express even the cheerful and exact obedience of slaves. If this clause be referred to the servants, and the whole be rendered, but rather let them who partake of the benefit, that is, who

have a share in the same blessed hope with their masters, do service to them, because they are faithful and beloved, the sense will be so far the same, that ways to will signify that great and glorious benefit, which, by virtue of our Christian profession, superiors and inferiors equally share; and strongly suggest, what a band of union the participation of it should in all reason prove. But this supposes a transpositio which seemed unnecessary; so that this is on the whole one of the many texts, where, having examined a variety of versions, we have been obliged to acquiesc in our own, which is in the main a very good one; and generally gives the tru sense, though the elegance and spirit o it may often be improved.

Reflections on a minister’s obligation to reprove offenders

viii. to all its faithful professors, of whatsoever rank or profession in life. And let the thought of the degree in which they share the favour of God, the tender bond in which as fellow Christians they are joined, and the hope of partaking with them in all the final blessings of an happy immortality, while it engages their servants to behave towards them in a becoming manner, teach the masters duly to condescend to them, and treat them, not only with justice, but with kindness.

IMPROVEMENT.

These The regards here required to the elders who preside well, and who labour in the word and doctrine, are in themselves so reasonable, that where the other duties of Christianity are attended to, and the inestimable blessings of it duly apprehended and esteemed, there will be no need of insisting largely upon them. To be cautious how we lightly believe any report to the injury of such, is what we owe to ourselves as well as them, since our own improvement, by their ministration, will be greatly obstructed by any prejudices taken against their persons.

Let the ministers of the gospel remember how much it is their duty to appear strenuously in defence of their Master’s precepts, and to reprove bold and insolent offenders, in whatsoever rank they may stand. And, lest riches, and power, and greatness of station, should obstruct their faithful execution of this office, let them think of the solemn charge they have received, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, and of the appearance which they and their people must make before the awful tribunal of Christ, when he shall come in his own glory, and that of his Father, and attended by all his holy angels. The frequent consideration of that important day would have an uniform influence on the whole of their conduct; it would particularly make them careful, that they do not contract pollutions, and make themselves partakers in other men’s sins, by laying hands suddenly on any; but use a proper care in examining, that in the great business of ordination they may act on the conviction of their consciences in the sight of God, and maintain an unbiased regard to the honour of the great Redeemer and the salvation of souls. Yet let them still be severer towards themselves than others, and maintain that strict temperance and self government in every respect which may become the dignity of their characters, and command the reverence of all about them.

Let us all endeavour to be shining examples of good works, and while so many declare their sins openly, and send them as it

Paul censures those who opposed the doctrines he taught;

were before them to judgment, let us never be ashamed of religion. Yet where a modest reserve may be conveniently maintained, let us study it, and always avoid an unnecessary ostentation, as remembering the time will come, when those good works, which have been most solicitously concealed from the eyes of men, will be publicly honoured and rewarded by God. In expectation of that day, let us all attend to our proper offices, whether in superior or inferior stations of life, studying so to behave, as that the name and doctrine of God may never be blasphemed upon our account, and always feeling the force of that endearing engagement to all social duties, which arises from our sharing with all true Christians in the favour of God, and in the blessings and hopes of his gospel.