1 Timothy 5

1. Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as if he were your father.  Speak to the younger men as brothers.

Older people do not like to be corrected by younger people.  Be careful how you correct someone who is older than you. There is a right way and a wrong way of doing this.

If anyone is trapped in any sin, you who are spiritual, rebuild such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Galatians 6:1

With patience a leader may change his mind, and a soft tongue breaks a hard bone. Proverbs 25:15

A soft answer turns away anger, but a hard word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

As the north wind sends away rain, a disappointed look on your face will send away a backbiting tongue. Proverbs 25:23

2. Speak to the older women as if they were your mother, and speak to the younger women as sisters in all purity.

It is best when older women teach younger women. Titus 2:3 – 4

3. You should honor widows who are really alone in the world.

The Scriptures have many warnings of God's judgment on people who do anything wrong to widows. Acts 6:1 shows us that the early church was very serious about taking care of widows.

And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?

The King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the amount that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:38 – 40

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27

4. Remember that if a widow has children or grandchildren it is their job to show what kind of faith in God they have by paying back their parents for what they have done for them, and God accepts this kind of service.

There are many rewards for children who take care of their parents.  Serving your parents is a great witness to unbelievers.

Honor your father and mother that your days may be long on the earth. This is the first commandment with a promise. Ephesians 6:2

But you say, “If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God).” Mark 7:11 – 12

5. A widow who is really alone, and has no other help, has put her confidence in God and she continues praying and asking God for what she needs night and day.

In those days the widows were given a ministry in the church.  The ministry was to stand between God and the members of the church in prayer. There is something missing in the church when these kind of women are not praying.

6. A widow who lives in pleasure is dead even though she is still breathing.

Widows who are looking for a husband can make big trouble in a church.

7. You should make the following rules for widows so that so that nobody can complain.

The following verses show us how the deacons decided to put a widow on the list.

8. Any man who is not taking care of his own relatives, especially those who are living in his house, is going against the faith.

Nobody has greater love than this, that one lay down his life for those he loves. John 15:13

9. The widows that you add to the list should be at least sixty years old and have had only one husband.

The early church had a list of widows and others who needed help.  The deacons made sure that the list was accurate and fair.

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Acts 6:2 – 3

10. She should have a good reputation.  Has she raised children? Has she welcomed strangers? Has she washed the saints feet? Has she helped those who were in trouble? Has she done what good she can?

Notice that this woman is not staying home and feeling sorry for herself.  She is asking the Lord to make her life useful to Him.

See 1 Kings 17:9.

11. Do not put young widows on the list, because they will have a natural desire to get married again.  This desire will be stronger than their desire to follow Christ.

But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I am. But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 1 Corinthians 7:8-9

12. That would show that they are being unfaithful to their first commitment to Christ.     

But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Revelation 2:4

Thus says the LORD, “I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth,
The love of your betrothals, your following after Me in the wilderness. Jeremiah 2:2

13 – 15

They also can become lazy going from house to house, and not just lazy but becoming gossips, talking about things that should not be talked about.

Younger women should get married again, have children, and manage their own house, and give no territory for the devil to stand on.

Some have already gone off the path and are following Satan.

Here we see an example of what happens when we listen to lying demonic spirits (1 Timothy 4:1).

A woman has lost her husband and has no protection.  She listens to demonic thoughts in her mind.  She becomes lazy and wastes her time instead of taking care of her house.  She gives more and more territory to the devil to claim in her life.  Finall,y she listens to the suggestion that God has not been good to her, and since she has gone this far she might as well go farther.

16. Any Christians who have widows in their family should do everything possible for them and not cause the church to have to take care of them.  This way the church can be free to take care of widows who are alone in the world.

17. Elders, who have a gift as leaders, should be worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock? 1 Corinthians 9:7

18. As the book of Deuteronomy says, "You should not put a muzzle on the ox while he is grinding the corn."  Jesus said, “The worker is worthy of his pay."

Money given to the ministry is there to support the ministry, do not think of it as if it was for the personal use of the minister. Think of it as if you were giving it to someone who needs to hear the Gospel, but since you cannot be everywhere, the one who is sent is doing it in your place.

See Deuteronomy 25:4, Luke 10:7.

19 – 20

Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless can be proven by two or three witnesses. If the accusation is proven, then the elder should be rebuked in front of everybody as a warning to others.

By the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be proven.  Matthew 18:16

See Deuteronomy 19:15.

21. I am giving you a serious assignment in the sight of God, and of Jesus, and the holy angels, to do your job and to have no favorite people.

God does not have favorites. Romans 2:11

22. Never be in a hurry to lay hands on a man or you may be taking part in any sin he has in his life.

Do not make a friend of a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and find a trap for yourself. Proverbs 22:24 – 25

See 1 Timothy 3:6.

23. Drink a small amount of wine instead of water.  It will help the stomach problems that you have been having.

Many people use this verse to excuse their drinking problems. By no stretch of the imagination can we believe that drinking will make us healthier.

There are many, many warnings about drinking wine in Scripture.  We know that many of our medicines have a small amount of alcohol in them, but this is no reason to make an excuse for drinking.  For every man who says that drinking is no problem for him there are thousands who become drunkards.

24 – 25

Some men's sins are easy to see, going on ahead of them into judgment.  Other men are good at hiding their sins, but they still follow them. In the same way, a good life is easy to see, but the other kind of life will become known.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but really are hungry wolves. Matthew 7:15

Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the tops of the houses for all to hear! Luke 12:3