1Timothy
5:1 ¶ Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him
as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as
sisters, with all purity.
Timothy is
admonished to not harshly correct an elder, as in elder person considering the
context, but to plead with them and to be respectful as unto one’s own father
or mother. Younger women should be treated as sisters, only respectfully, and
in purity. This would preclude a pastor counseling a young woman on her own
without his wife present or some other woman of the church. This is also a
reason why early churches that called themselves Baptist in the 17th
century had women deaconesses to oversee the baptism of young women, of which
it would not be seemly for a male pastor to do. I’m sure if you think about it
you can imagine why it might be a problem of propriety and a temptation.
1Timothy
5:3 ¶ Honour widows that are widows
indeed. 4 But if any widow have children
or nephews, let them learn first to shew 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 liveth. 7 And these
things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and
specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse
than an infidel. 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. 15 For some are
already turned aside after Satan. 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.
For widows
to be taken under the care of the church they truly had to be without family to
help. The word nephew at one time in English could refer to a grandson
or, I’ve read, even a cousin. If a widow did have family in the church they
were expected to care for her. Desolate in verse 5 means not having
children or a husband, who is presumably dead as she is a widow.
Isaiah
49:21 Then shalt thou say in thine
heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am
desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these?
Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?
Isaiah
54:1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not
bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with
child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the
married wife, saith the LORD.
While
laying out the character of a pious widow Paul then condemns the family that
refuses her care. Worse than an unbeliever that callous person has actually
denied the faith. A widow must be 60 years old at least and most women did not
live even that long. If she did she would most likely be in a weakened state
and perhaps helpless. The widow who would be under the care of the church would
not have divorced a husband due to him not converting and choosing to stay with
her as we discussed in 1stCorinthians, chapter 7, or to have been
married and divorced several times. This would not be against a widow who had
multiple husbands die or who had been wronged by her husband and put away for
no acceptable reason as commentators tell us. The widow under the church’s care
must have been a women who was known for her good works; being a good mother,
being hospitable, and compassionate.
Young
widows still of child-bearing age should not be under the care of the church
and should be encouraged to remarry and continue their families. Paul then goes
on to describe some of the things, the sinful behavior, that plagued these
young women who were idle in a world where positions of authority and purpose
were not permitted to women outside of the home with few exceptions such as
Lydia in Acts. Lydia may have been working her late husband’s business for all
we know.
So, Paul
here has laid out very specific conditions for the welfare of widows, as
provided by the church. Notice that the
wife manages the household and this reminds me of the wife of Proverbs 31. Wives
were not simply to be treated like simply older children but they were partners
to their husbands.
1Peter 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving
honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of
the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
1Timothy
5:17 ¶ Let the elders 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 out the corn. And, The labourer is
worthy of his reward. 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. 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. 22 Lay hands suddenly on no
man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine
for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. 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.
Here
Paul gives instruction on how to treat the elders of the church and the context
suggests particularly those who minister in teaching and preaching the Bible. Paul
discusses how that these elders are worthy of being paid for their support in
1Corinthians even though he has not asked to be paid for his efforts. He is
focused here on the local church.
Deuteronomy 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth
out the corn.
1st
Corinthians 9:3 ¶ Mine answer to them
that do examine me is this, 4 Have we
not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we
not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the
brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I
only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own
charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who
feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the
law the same also? 9 For it is written
in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth
out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this
is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that
thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is
it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over
you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer
all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about
holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar
are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so
hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the
gospel.
Paul asserts that he has the freedom and
authority to eat and drink what he wants. He has the freedom and authority to
have a wife to accompany him. He has the freedom and authority to be paid by
the churches he supports.
But, he has not used this freedom nor
exercised this authority and has suffered a great deal as a result for the
purpose of not getting in the way of the work of the gospel of Christ. Even
though he had the right to expect to have his living from the teaching of the
gospel as the priests lived off of the offerings in the temple he has not done
so. He has exercised great restraint in his ministry to serve the gospel of
Christ.
No less than two or
three honest witnesses should be allowed to bring an accusation against an
elder, who should be rebuked publicly so that others may learn of the harmful
consequences of open sin to their reputation and fear such consequences.
Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man
for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of
two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be
established.
Deuteronomy 13:11 And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and
shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.
Deuteronomy 17:13 And all the people shall hear, and fear, and
do no more presumptuously.
The
labourer is worthy of his reward.
Luke
10:7 And in the same house remain,
eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his
hire. Go not from house to house.
The
elect angels are
the appearances of men and women who are part of the body of Christ in heaven.
Each of us has his own appearance which stands before God. Let me speak briefly
of terms like angel, called, saved, predestinated, and elect.
Christ
is the appearance of God; the angel of the Lord, His presence.
Isaiah 63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and
the angel of his presence saved
them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and
carried them all the days of old.
Judges 2:1
And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made
you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware
unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.
Galatians 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye
despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
An angel is a representative that stands in place
of something or someone.
Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these
little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do
always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and
the seven candlesticks which
thou sawest are the seven churches.
Acts 12:15 And they said
unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then
said they, It is his angel.
Hebrews 12:23 To the
general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and
to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect
They are elect in this context, referring to the bride of Christ. We
are already there in the form of our angel as God knows who will receive Him
throughout this temporal time of biological life.
Ephesians 2:6 And hath
raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ
Jesus:
Ephesians 1:4 According as
he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before him in love:
Remember how Christ could be in two places at the
same time?
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he
that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
What
about being elect?
Romans 8:28 And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 is a very important verse and a good introduction to
what comes next. According to the sentence structure people who love God are
the called according to His purpose. It’s not rocket science.
Where else are people referred to as the called? In chapter
1 of Romans it was the Christians at Rome whom Paul was writing to as well as
Paul Himself.
Romans 1:1 ¶ Paul, a
servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of
God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by
his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of
David according to the flesh; 4 And
declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness,
by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By
whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among
all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom
are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to
you and peace
from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
When you believe you are called to something, called to be saints,
sanctified ones set apart for God. In Romans 8:28 I just read loving God
precedes the calling.
In Paul’s argument in 1Corinthians 1 the calling is for those that
believe, that they be sanctified, set apart for God’s purpose.
1Corinthians 1:17 ¶ For
Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of
words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the
preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but
unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom
of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the
scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the
wisdom of this world? 21 For after that
in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks
seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach
Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks
foolishness; 24 But unto them which are
called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is
wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that
not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish
things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things
of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things
which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to
nought things that are: 29 That no flesh
should glory in his presence. 30 But of
him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that
glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
In fact, those who are called are also elected, known beforehand
by God, by virtue of their calling.
1Peter 1:2 Elect according
to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the
Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto
you, and peace, be multiplied.
2Peter 1:10 Wherefore the
rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if
ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
And yet, that we would be sanctified, those who believe, was from
before the world began, based on His foreknowledge. We are chosen that we would
be holy and without blame before him in love.
Ephesians 1:4 According as
he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before him in love:
When we are saved we are said to be sealed and
the Holy Spirit is given to us as a deposit, earnest money, so to speak, and it
is impossible to be saved repeatedly.
2Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed
us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also
trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:
in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of
promise,
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy
Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Hebrews 6:4 For it
is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of
the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the
powers of the world to come, 6 If they
shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to
themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Now let’s remember this statement Paul makes later regarding God’s
perfect will.
1Timothy 2:4 Who will have
all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
So, let’s put it together. God wants all men to be saved. He did
not make any for the express purpose of damning them. While God calls all men
to Christ only He knows beforehand who will receive Him. Those who receive
Christ have a calling and are called by God to serve Him and love Him. They are
elected to this calling by virtue of their belief and faith.
Romans 8:29 ¶ For whom he
did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he
also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified,
them he also glorified.
Not only did God not create any human beings specifically for the
purpose of casting them into Hell and then the Lake of Fire but those that He
knew would receive Him in the form of Jesus Christ as their Saviour when they
receive Christ are predestined to something after they are saved. That is, to
be like Christ, the brother or sister of Christ by virtue of being conformed to
His image.
1John 3:2 Beloved, now are
we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know
that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he
is.
And it is those people, those born-again followers of Christ, whom
He calls to follow Him in holiness, good works, faith, and trust. And it is
those people whom He justifies before Himself. And it is those people whom He
justifies that He glorifies with Himself.
The Christian is now saved from the power of sin. They have been
saved from the penalty of sin. They will be saved from even the presence of
sin. This is your destiny, to be glorified with God by God.
1Peter 5:6 Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due
time:
So, I’ve taken a long detour to get to this point, that the elect
angels are our representatives in Heaven.
John Gill and Matthew Henry says that Lay hands suddenly on no man is a reference to not
laying hands on someone too quickly to admit them into the ministry thinking of
the warning about not being a novice which we talked about earlier, and also
not to participate in the sins of others but to keep himself pure.
Then, he tells Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach’s
sake which upsets fundamentalists quite a bit as they scramble to retranslate oinos,
which is wine. In Ancient Rome wine was used as medication for a whole range of
ailments from depression to constipation. There were, I have read, over 50
types of wine. Not all of it was fermented. The important thing for Timothy was
that he was already admonished that a bishop was not to be given to wine and a
deacon not to much wine. So, moderation and for a specific purpose was
tolerated. I remember as a small child being given “hot toddies” for the flu or
sickness that contained honey and whiskey. I don’t remember as this being the
cause of my much later binge drinking as a young man. It was understood that
what I was drinking was for medicinal purposes although they probably should
have bought some cold medicine at the drugstore. However, in rural Somerset
County, Maryland in the 1950s and 1960s there weren’t any convenience stores
open at midnight that I remember.
Finally, Paul gives a statement on being alert for sin in the
congregation. Some men’s sins are obvious and well known while others are
hidden but all will be revealed in time.
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