"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"
Chapter Five
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To appreciate the responsibility we have toward our families,
especially widows
2) To consider under what circumstances widows may be "taken into the
number"
3) To note the distinction between the work of the church, and the
responsibility of individual Christians
4) To review our responsibilities toward those who serve as elders
SUMMARY
This chapter contains Paul's instructions to Timothy regarding various
members of the congregation. He starts with the members in general,
counseling Timothy to consider them as family, and exhorting them
accordingly (1-2). A major section is then devoted to the care of
widows, in which some may be "taken into the number". What this phrase
refers to is unclear, but it may involve congregational support on a
long-term basis. Only those who are truly widows (as defined in verse
5) and who meet certain qualifications (listed in verse 9-10) are to be
so honored. Younger widows are expected to remarry and have children,
while widows with children and grandchildren are to be supported by
their own family rather than burden the church (3-16).
Several remarks are then made regarding elders (not just older
Christians, but those serving as overseers). Elders who rule well are
to be worthy of financial support, especially if they are laboring in
the word and doctrine. Accusations against an elder are not to be
taken seriously unless there be two or three witnesses. Those elders
who are sinning need to be publicly rebuked so that the rest may fear
(17-20).
Paul then gives Timothy a solemn charge to be free from prejudice and
partiality as he goes about his duties. He is also to be cautious
about those he may commend, being careful to keep himself pure from
others' sins. The chapter concludes with advice for treating Timothy's
stomach ailment, and a reminder that both sins and good works will
eventually become evident (21-25).
OUTLINE
I. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE MEMBERS (1-20)
A. EXHORTING THE MEMBERS (1-2)
1. Older men as fathers, younger men as brothers (1)
2. Older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all
purity (2b)
B. HONORING WIDOWS (3-16)
1. Honor those who are truly widows (3)
2. Widows with children or grandchildren should be taken care of
by them (4)
a. That they may learn to show piety at home and repay their
parents
b. This is good and acceptable before God
3. Contrast between a true widow and one who is not (5-6)
a. A true widow (5)
1) One who is left alone (5a)
2) One who trusts in God (5b)
3) One who continues in supplications night and day (5c)
b. The one who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives (6)
4. Command these things that people may be blameless (7)
5. One who does not provide for his own, especially his
household... (8)
a. Has denied the faith
b. Is worse than an unbeliever
6. Regarding the church support of widows (9-16)
a. Qualifications for those who can be taken into the number
(9-10)
1) Not under sixty years of age
2) The wife of one man
3) Well reported for good works
4) Has brought up children
5) Has lodged strangers
6) Has washed the saints' feet
7) Has relieved the afflicted
8) Has diligently followed every good work
b. Reasons to reject younger widows (11-13)
1) When they begin to grow wanton against Christ, they
desire to marry
2) Casting off their first faith, they have condemnation
3) They learn to be idle, wandering about from house to
house as busybodies and gossips
c. Counsel for younger widows (14-15)
1) To marry, bear children, manage the house
2) To give no opportunity for the adversary to speak
reproachfully
3) For some have already have turned aside after Satan
d. Those widows with believing children (16)
1) The children should relieve them
2) Do not burden the church, that it may relieve those who
are truly widows
C. TREATMENT OF ELDERS (17-20)
1. Those who rule well (17-18)
a. They are counted worthy of double honor
b. Especially those who labor in word and doctrine
c. Scriptural basis for supporting elders:
1) "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the
grain"
2) "The laborer is worthy of his wages"
2. Those who don't rule well (19-20)
a. Don't receive an accusation against an elder except from
two or three witnesses (19)
b. Elders who are sinning (20)
1) Should be rebuked in the presence of all
2) So that the rest may fear
II. FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS RELATED TO TIMOTHY (21-25)
A. THE CHARGE GIVEN HIM BY PAUL (21)
1. Given before God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels
2. To observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing
without partiality
B. WARNINGS AGAINST HASTY RECOMMENDATIONS (22)
1. Don't lay hands hastily on anyone
2. Don't share in other people's sins
3. Keep yourself pure
C. COUNSEL FOR ALLEVIATING HIS STOMACH PROBLEMS (23)
1. No longer drink only water
2. Use a little wine for the sake of the stomach and frequent
infirmities
D. REMINDER CONCERNING SIN AND GOOD WORKS (24-25)
1. Some sins are clearly evident, others we learn after the
judgment (24)
2. The same is true regarding good works (25)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Instructions concerning the members (1-20)
- Further instructions related to Timothy (21-25)
2) How was Timothy to exhort the members of the congregation? (1-2)
- The older men as fathers, the younger women as brothers, the older
women as mothers, the younger women as sisters, in all purity
3) Why are widows with children or grandchildren to be taken care of by
them? (4)
- So that the children may learn to show piety at home and repay
their parents
- For this is good and acceptable before God
4) Who is truly a widow? (5)
- One left alone, who trusts in God, and prays night and day
5) What is said of one who will not provide for his own family? (8)
- He has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever
6) List the qualifications for a widow to be "taken into the number"
(9-10)
- At least sixty years old
- The wife of one man
- Well reported for good works
- Has brought up children
- Has lodged strangers
- Has washed the saints' feet
- Has relieved the afflicted
- Has diligently followed every good work
7) What are the younger widows to do? Why? (14)
- Marry, bear children, manage the house
- To give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully
8) What two groups of widows are NOT to be "taken into the number"?
(14,16)
- Younger widows
- Widows with believing children who can provide for them
9) How should elders who rule well be considered, especially if they
labor in word and doctrine? (17)
- Counted worthy of double honor
10) What basis does Paul give for compensating elders? (18)
- The Old Testament scriptures (Deu 25:4)
- The sayings of Jesus (Lk 10:7)
11) What is necessary to receive an accusation against an elder? (19)
- Two or three witnesses
12) What should be done with elders who are sinning? (20)
- Rebuke them in the presence of all, that the rest may fear
13) What serious charge was given to Timothy before God, the Lord, and
the elect angels? (21)
- To observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with
partiality
14) What words of caution does Paul give Timothy? (22)
- Don't lay hands on anyone hastily
- Don't share in other people's sins
- Keep yourself pure
15) What advice does Paul give Timothy for his stomach ailments? (23)
- No longer drink only water
- But use a little wine
16) What is true in regards to both sin and good works? (24-25)
- Some are clearly evident, and some will not be known until after
the judgment day
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