How to Treat the Members of the Church

[전승훈2]

Summary:
Timothy is instructed to treat members of the church as family, appealing to older men as fathers, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters in complete purity. Widows who are truly alone are to be honored, but those with children or grandchildren should first be cared for by their own families. In doing so, family members practice godliness and repay their parents in a manner acceptable to God. A widow who is genuinely alone places her hope in God and continues in prayer, while one who lives for self-indulgence is spiritually dead even while living. These instructions are to be given so that believers may remain above reproach, because anyone who fails to provide for relatives, especially members of their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Teaching:
A pastor has many responsibilities, but the heart of pastoral ministry is helping people live wholesome lives. The work of the church is to help the holy people of God in their daily lives. This is salvation in this life and eternal life after death. Therefore, pastors teach for this purpose.

To do so, one must have a faith that is demonstrated by faithfully caring for one’s family and relatives. Become one of God’s holy people who is above reproach.

Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Sep 8, 2026
1 Timothy 5:1-8