The Water of the Word

1 Timothy 1
1 Timothy 2
1 Timothy 3
1 Timothy 4
1 Timothy 5
1 Timothy 6
2 Timothy 1
2 Timothy 2
2 Timothy 3
2 Timothy 4

1 Timothy 5

1Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

We are to respect and not speak evil of our elders in the Lord. This doesn't mean that we idolize them or follow them when they do evil or teach things contrary to scripture. We obey God rather than men. By that I don't mean that they can't make a mistake or be in error on some minor issues. If that were the case, we would oppose almost all of them. Those that are elders in the Lord have a heavy responsibility. What they teach or lead us in, is answerable to God. If they teach one thing that leads us astray away from the truth, they are in trouble with God. We should try to help them all we can if we love the word of God and love God. Most of all pray diligently for them. Better to pray than to fuss. They are the ones Satan will try to hinder the most. They need our prayers instead of our condemnation.

An elder we usually understand to mean, is an older person in age and also one that is just older in the Lord, not a new believer. This type of elder could be a person younger in age than others of those he is in contact with. The elder written about in the book of Timothy though is a presbyter or bishop. He is someone with authority to lead in the church. We are to respect and support those that are our elders in the church. Treat him as a father. Treat younger men as brothers. Show respect and brotherly love.

Yet saying that, we must consider that there are the Jim Jones types in the world that either want our money and care nothing for our eternal souls or want to control a group of people and be a king among them. This is not a true servant of the Lord. We must however, be careful not to false accuse the ones who are innocent and sincerely love God.

1Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

This is an important part of holiness. We must treat one another with purity and godly love. We must never use the word of God as a cloak to abuse and control someone.

I've read of some cults which have fooled young women into thinking that God has commanded them to marry a certain person usually someone who already has another wife. Some have even seduced married women and made them think it was God's will and even went so far as to tell a few of them that they could never enter heaven without being married to the prophet (himself). Avoid controlling cults and gather with those the love God, love His word and uses it to bring people to Christ, not control their every movement.

I believe sincerely from reading the word that marriage is a choice we have to make ourselves and it has nothing whatsoever to do with our eternal salvation.

1Timothy 5:3 Honor widows that are widows indeed.
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.

This means that close relatives to the widow should take care of their own before the church should do it. This of course means if they have the means to do so. To honor here means not only to respect but support them financially.

1Timothy 5:5 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 liveth.

The church however must only give support to one who is not living in open sin. If they do that, they are aiding the evil that she does. This doesn't mean that we can't give food to someone who is hungry or help someone in an emergency but to give continual support should be for those who live a life of godliness. I'm talking though of true holiness and not manmade holiness that we make by adding to the word of God.

1Timothy 5:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Failing to care and support for one's own family must be considered though that eases the burden from the church body. Again, I don't believe this means emergency situations. Some places have government help for those who can't support themselves. When that does not exist it is the responsiblilty of the church if it is possible and they have the means to do so. This is another reason giving to a local church body is important.

1Timothy 5:9 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.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have 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 adversary to speak reproachfully.

I do not believe that the "bad" widows are forbidden to attend believer's meetings here but rather only a refusal to give continuous support to those kind of widows. Some believe this is meant to state the requirements for a deaconess and that only those that live in holiness should be taken into that particular office. This does show us the good advice of Paul of how any women should live bearing the fruit of holiness that will be sure to influence others.

1Timothy 5:15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

These kind of verses is very sad to read. Remember the story of Solomon. Solomon was chosen of God, given riches by God, and was given the spiritual riches of wisdom. Knowing the meaning of the word of God is surely the best of riches. No other king was as wise as he. Yet he married many foreign wives that turned his heart against the very God who gave him all good things. It is truly sad.

This is why we are admonished to study the word diligently and seek the face of God continually in prayer. Attending meetings with other believers also is a way to strengthen us in the Lord.

1Timothy 5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

That is plain enough. I use to study genealogy and discovered that when my great great great grandmother's husband died, she lived with one of her son's and his family. The son died and his wife was remarried. In a later census I saw that my great ancestor was still living with the family of her daughter in law even though the daughter in law was remarried to someone else. Her daughter in law kept taking care of her until she died after 1900. That really impressed me in this day when we are quick to send them off to nursing homes. These people were actually poor. Many of them were coal miners long before unions and wage hikes. Yet they took care of their own. They didn't have nursing homes like we do today. There are some cases that are better in the nursing homes but yet if at all possible it's better to keep them with us if they would be happier in our own homes. Some of them prefer to stay by themselves if possible.

There was some person in the Church of God I use to attend who tried her best to care for her ailing father herself until he got so bad physically that she couldn't provide the proper care for him. Then and only then did she place him in a nursing home. At least she tried first. This is one advantage of having a large family with many children that can help each other share the burden of caring for an older person.

1Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
18 For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.

This advocates material support for elders (pastors) or local congregations. When I hear of people who decide they don't like their pastor so they try to starve him out by withdrawing their support, it makes me cringe. That isn't the love of God that comes from the Holy Spirit.

I will admit that there are people out there who are just after the money and do not care anything about their people. It doesn't take much sense to know who really cares and who does not. In most cases we must trust God and trust Him to remove the bad ones. Withdrawing support is never a good thing. When we give, we are giving as we would be giving to the Lord.

1Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

This must be handled very carefully with much care and prayer. To remove an elder can harm the local body and innocent people.

If we enjoy hearing dirt on the pastor and passing it on to our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord, then that is a good sign that we are not the ones in the right. Sin in an elder should grieve us and force us to go to God in prayer first before doing anything else. That may be enough in most cases to resolve the problem.

1Timothy 5:21 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 partiality.

The rich church member should be treated no better or no worse than the poor one. There also is a chance that someone is so envious of the rich that he would actually treat him worse because of it. There should never be any partiality in either case.

1Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Most commentators that I've read believe this means not to hastily appoint someone to an office in the church without making sure he is mature enough spiritually to serve responsibly. If we allow someone who is living in open sin to teach a Sunday School class, we are giving assent to their deeds and saying it is okay.

If any sin is past and under the blood of Christ and they have forsaken that sin, it is not to be held against them. For all of us have sinned before we came to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and to be cleansed from sin. We still however have to appoint the spiritually mature in positions of authority.

1Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Some take this literally to mean to take care of our health but I see wine representing maturity in the things of the spirit. We want spiritual mature people to lead in worship and teaching. It doesn't mean we stop drinking water and substituting wine.

1Timothy 5:24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Leaders, elders, deacons are examples that others will see and follow. They should be living a life of holiness in the fear of God before being entrusted with any church leadership.

Notice that the bible does not require a college degree or requirements that the world requires when appointing leaders. Knowledge of the word, holiness and being filled with the spirit is what counts in spiritual matters. DC