1  TIMOTHY 5

This Chapter  contains the First Letter of Paul to Timothy whilst he was becoming a pastor of the Church at Ephesus.  Paul was fond of Timothy, and who he trusted, knowing that Tmothy had been given an upbringing  telling of the Scriptures by his mother and grandmother. He had decided, knowing he was fated to be killed by the Romans, to ask Timothy to take over the ministry because he knew Timothy could  be trusted to only preach from the Bible.

Paul recognized the problems Timthy would face in his own ministry, as there were false teachers growing in the Church. This Letter has been considered to be the most complete summary in the Bible, of a pastor’s ministry and spirituality.

Paul knew there would be a need for Timothy to rebuke people and reprimand some of them, and being so young, it might hold him to refrain from having to speak to an older person. It is often hard for some leaders who find it difficult to reprimand anyone, for not doing their work properly, but failure to do so may cause greater problems

Older people should naturally be shown respect. The younger people treated as brothers or sisters. It is always, demands words of purity when addressing a person of the opposite sex.  In all cases, there should be fellowship of heart and mind between Christians, in a kind of Christian feeling.

The Church inherited a tradition of charity.  People in need have been cared for, and the Jewish people cared for widows and the aged.

Jewish law, laid down that the at the time of a marriage, the man must make provision for his wife in case of his sudden death, but provision was not made for  other people, if children were alive and able to support them.

The New Testament writers, took the view that it was an essential part of Christianity, to offer support for parents as a Christian duty. Modern times do not encourage people to adopt this practice, but in he Pastoral Epistles help should be given to a parent.  It is a way children can show honor and love for parents. The passage goes on to state and lay down, the qualities of the people the Church is called upon to support.  Cases occur when elderly people are placed in a Care home.  This can lead to little less than abandonment. In such cases, a child has a duty to support and ensure the parents should receive adequate care om the home.

The early Church cared for widows, and viewed them in two ways. One was the accepted view of those whose husband had died, and a second class were widows who had been set apart, for special duty in the Church.

Life for those in the Church, laid down that two women would be appointed to personal prayer for those facing temptation, and one would assist those unwell.

 There were conditions which the widows had to qualify for. They had to have been the wife of one husband, as an example of purity and fidelity. They must have earned a reputation for good works. They must have nourished children, who were brought up in a Christian way.

It was in an age, when men and women changed partners rapidly, and children were seen as a misfortune. Children were seen as unwanted. (Seems as things have never changed)  

In verses 9-10 widows had become an accepted Order in the Church. A woman had to be over the age of 65 to gain support, and be a woman of a well ordered life, free from anger, jealousy, a woman of discretion, does not drink alcohol  and had brought up children. There was a full list of quotes.  There was a marked difference, between living off he Church, to rather being for the Church.

In verse 11-16 there is reflected, the situation in society in which the Church found itself. The younger widows, were condemned for seeking to remarry. It was considered that sorrow and death may occur to the new husband, and the widow would be left with bitterness, that might decide an impulse, to decide to remain a widow and dedicate her life to the Church, seeing Christ as her bridegroom.  This could cause her to break the vows and seek further marriage.

A social complicated matter, was a single or widowed woman, could not possibly earn a living honestly, for she had no trade or profession open to her. This encouraged prostitution in order to live. The only alternative was dedicate her life to the Church.

In verses 17-22 a series is given of spiritual and teaching regulations for the life and administration of the Church. Elders were tobe properly honored and properly paid. When threshing was done, it spread across the floor. and when the threshing was done the oxen trampled over, or were tethered to a post and left muzzled.

The saying  of Jesus quoted in Luke’s gospel stated, ‘ Any man who works deserves support, and the harder he works, the more he should be paid. Christianity never had anything to do with the sentimental ethic, which  claims equal pay for all. A man’s earning should always be related to his labor.

Any accusation against leaders, were not to be brought to be charged without two or three witnesses. Those who are to be rebuked, are Elders who engage in sin, or

in any way betrays the trust placed in him by spiritual leader.  Such public rebuke goes beyond the discipline procedure of the Church, and assures the congregation of the disqualification of the Elder.

Paul presents the change being made, in view of the heavenly Court,  with Paul adding angels, thereby adding a solemn note.  Timothy is told not to show favoritism. He is not to hastily lay hands on, lest any man is not fully qualified.

In verse 23, Paul slips in advice for Timothy amongst the administrative marks, by telling him not to drink water but to take a little wine for his stomach sake.

There has always been a strain of resistance to this verse which troubles the abstinence lobby. There is no license to indulgence.

When men made vows. there was then pledged never to drink the fruit of the vine, or touch any product with a grape content. All of his days are to remain free and not touch anything containing grapes.

Here we have a great truth, of which the  Christian and those who work for Christ, forgets at his peril. The truth that we must not neglect the body.  Often, it may be felt his spiritual duty comes from tiredness or being weary. We have to do the work of Christ as well as we can. There is no virtue in neglect of health or contempt for the body.

The Chapter closes with the impossibility of concealment. This is saying a call to leave things to God and be content. There are sinners whose sins are leading to their disaster and some punishment; and there are secret sinners, who behind  a front of unimpeachable rectitude, live a life that is in essence evil and ugly. What a man cannot see, God does  there is no escape from ultimate confrontation from the God who sees and knows everything.

There are some, whose good deeds have never been noticed or never praised, never valued, as they have ought to have been. They have been taken for granted.

They should not feel disappointed or embittered. God knows the good deed also and God will repay. God is never in anyone’s debt, Here we are told that we should not grow angry at the escape of sinners or embittered by the apparent thanklessness of others, but be content to leave all things to the ultimate judgement of God.

May the Holy Name of God be for ever Glorified