The First Epistle to Timothy Chapter 5

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The First Epistle to Timothy Chapter 5

Text from https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1TI.5.NIV

Widows, Elders and Slaves (Welfare Ministry in the Church)

1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. (Fair ministries for all age and gender groups.)

3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. (Pay particular attention to those who are in need, such as widows and etc.)

4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. (Family is the first and basic unit for the welfare of the family members, particularly who are not productive.)

5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.

6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. (Those who get helped by others should live godly life praying for the family and community. Every member of the family and the church is responsible for the welfare of the community in any way.)

7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. (God wants us to live a good life. We must to do our best to secure His blessings.)

8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (We must take care of our own families.)

9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. (There should be criteria to be considered for the supported in the faith community. Age, diligence, attitude, and life style matter.)

11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.

12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. (Young widows who could take care of their lives would be excluded from the support since they or might marry again.)

13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. (Nobody should abuse the welfare ministry.)

14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. (Those who take care of themselves must live with their effort.)

15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. (If anyone does not live godly, they are separated from God.)

16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. (Church is not the prime care system but individual and family effort come first.)

17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. (Church elders who are leading the community are honorable.)

18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” (Those servants deserve support from the church.)

19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. (Do not accuse elders without proper evidence. Of course elders must carry the required character and integrity.)

20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. (Failing elders must be judged in the church to prevent corruption. Power without check is destined corruption; abuse of power.)

Leadership Management

21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. (Church ministry is a Kingdom business which is governed by God.)

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. (Do not install young leadership too early. Maturity matters.)

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. (Paul's personal advise for Timothy who was experiencing stomach problem.)

24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. (Some sins are obvious and some are hidden.)

25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. (Obvious or hidden, however, all sins will be revealed clearly. God is the Judge.)