5 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. 1 Timothy 5
It’s interesting that Paul exhorts Timothy to treat ALL FOUR groups within the Church as FAMILY MEMBERS. The rebuke of older men was not be harsh, but respectful. Younger women were to be treated with ‘absolute purity’. The treatment of these two groups were highlighted to Timothy and to us today.
There follows a more detailed section on the treatment of widows within the Church, both practical and spiritual. The Bible clearly teaches that the Church should care for needy members.
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1
Elderly relatives are primarily the responsibility of their families;
3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 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. (If you want to get on God’s good side pay attention!) 1 Timothy 5, also verse 16
Paul makes some hard-hitting statements within these verses;
6 But the widow WHO LIVES FOR PLEASURE IS DEAD EVEN WHILE SHE LIVES. (Is this true of other Believers ?) 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 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.
Only widows over sixty years and who are known for their good character and good deeds towards others should be looked after by the Church. 1 Timothy 5:9, 10
Paul moves from the care of elderly widows to younger women who have lost their husbands.
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.
Younger widows may be happier getting married again rather than committing to life alone in the longer term.
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 gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. 1 Timothy 5
Paul warns against the dangers of idleness and gossip for believers, especially women alone.
14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. (This is a serious warning of how the enemy can get in when people have too much free time on their hands!)
The Church should support those in real need, but not create the means for people to be idle.
God bless and keep you today.