Analysis Of The Chapter This chapter 1 Timothy 5 embraces the following subjects: (1) The proper method of admonition when others err - to wit, an aged man should be entreated as a father, younger men as brethren, the aged women as mothers, and the younger with the pure feelings which one has for... [ Continue Reading ]
REBUKE NOT AN ELDER - The word “elder” here is not used in the sense in which it often is, to denote an officer of the church, a presbyter, but in its proper and usual sense, to denote an aged man. This is evident, because the apostle immediately mentions in contradistinction from the elder, “the yo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ELDER WOMEN AS MOTHERS - Showing still the same respect for age, and for the proprieties of life. No son who had proper feelings would rebuke his own mother with severity. Let the minister of religion evince the same feelings if he is called to address a “mother in Israel” who has erred. THE YO... [ Continue Reading ]
HONOUR WIDOWS - The particular attention and respect which are enjoined here, seem to refer to the class of widows who were supported by the church, and who were entrusted with the performance of certain duties toward the other female members, see 1 Timothy 5:9. It is to be remembered that the conta... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF ANY WIDOW HAVE CHILDREN - Who would be dependent on her care, and who might themselves contribute to her support. OR NEPHEWS - The word nephew now commonly means the son of a brother or sister. Formerly the English word also meant grandchildren, or descendants of any description. Webster. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
A WIDOW INDEED, AND DESOLATE - The word rendered “desolate” means “solitary, alone.” It does not necessarily imply the idea of discomfort which we attach to the word desolate. The sense is, that she had no children or other descendants; none on whom she could depend for support. TRUSTETH IN GOD - S... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SHE THAT LIVETH IN PLEASURE - Margin, “delicately.” The Greek word (σπαταλάω spatalaō) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, except in James 5:5, “Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth.” It properly means to live in luxury, voluptuously; to indulge freely in eating and drinking; to yield... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THESE THINGS GIVE IN CHARGE - Announce, or declare these things, to wit, particularly respecting the duty of children to their widowed mothers, and the proper duty of those who are widows.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF ANY PROVIDE NOT FOR HIS OWN - The apostle was speaking 1 Timothy 5:4 particularly of the duty of children toward a widowed mother. In enforcing that duty, he gives the subject, as he often does in similar cases, a general direction, and says that all ought to provide for those who were depend... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NOT A WIDOW BE TAKEN INTO THE NUMBER - Margin, “chosen.” The margin expresses the sense of the Greek more accurately, but the meaning is not materially different. Paul does not here specify into what “number” the widow is to be “taken,” or for what purpose she is to be “chosen,” but he speaks of... [ Continue Reading ]
WELL REPORTED OF FOR GOOD WORKS - Of good character or reputation; see the notes on 1 Timothy 3:7. IF SHE HAVE BROUGHT UP CHILDREN - Either her own or others. The idea is, if she has done this in a proper manner. IF SHE HAVE LODGED STRANGERS - If she has been characterized by hospitality - a virtu... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE YOUNGER WIDOWS REFUSE - That is, in respect to the matter under discussion. Do not admit them into the class of widows referred to. It cannot mean that he was to reject them as members of the church, or not to treat them with respect and kindness. FOR WHEN THEY HAVE BEGUN TO WAX WANTON AGAIN... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING DAMNATION - Or, rather, having “condemnation;” or incurring guilt. This does not mean of necessity that they would lose their souls; see the phrase explained in the notes on 1 Corinthians 11:29. The meaning is, that they would contract guilt, if they had been admitted among this class of pers... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WITHAL - In addition to the prospect that they may marry again, there are other disadvantages which might follow from such an arrangement, and other evils to be feared which it is desirable to avoid. THEY LEARN TO BE IDLE - That is, if supported by the church, and if without the settled princip... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL THEREFORE - I give it as my opinion; or this is my counsel; compare notes, 1 Corinthians 7:6, 1Co 7:10, 1 Corinthians 7:40. THAT THE YOUNGER WOMEN MARRY - The word “women” is not expressed or necessarily implied in the original - NEOOTERAS - - and it is evident that the apostle here had parti... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SOME ARE ALREADY TURNED ASIDE AFTER SATAN - That is, some young widows. The meaning is, that in the respects above mentioned 1 Timothy 5:13, they had followed the great Tempter, rather than the Lord Jesus. This is stated as a reason why they should not be admitted into the number of the widows w... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN OR WOMAN THAT BELIEVETH - Christians are often simply called “believers,” because faith is the leading and most important act of their religion. HAVE WIDOWS - Widowed mothers, or grandmothers, or any other widows whose support would naturally devolve on them. LET THEM RELIEVE THEM - Tha... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE ELDERS THAT RULE WELL - Greek, πρεσβύτεροι presbuteroi, Presbyters. The apostle had given full instructions respecting bishops 1 Timothy 3:1; deacons 1 Timothy 3:8; widows 1 Timothy 5:3; and he here proceeds to prescribe the duty of the church toward those who sustain the office of elder. T... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE SCRIPTURE SAITH - This is adduced as a reason why a church should show all due respect and care for its ministers. The reason is, that as God took care to make provision for the laboring ox, much more should due attention be paid to those who labor for the welfare of the church. THOU SHALT... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST AN ELDER - The word “elder” here seems to be used in the sense in which it is in the previous verse as relating to “office,” and not in the sense of an aged man, as in 1 Timothy 5:1. The connection demands this interpretation. RECEIVE NOT AN ACCUSATION - He was not to regard such a charge as... [ Continue Reading ]
THEM THAT SIN - That have been proved to have committed sin - referring probably to the elders mentioned in the previous verse, but giving the direction so general a form that it might be applicable to others. REBUKE BEFORE ALL - Before all the church or congregation. The word “rebuke” properly deno... [ Continue Reading ]
I CHARGE THEE BEFORE GOD - compare Luke 16:28; Acts 2:20. The word rendered “charge” means, properly, to call to witness; then to affirm with solemn attestations; and then to admonish solemnly, to urge upon earnestly. It is a word which implies that the subject is of great importance. Paul gives thi... [ Continue Reading ]
LAY HANDS SUDDENLY ON NO MAN - Some have understood this of laying on hands to heal the sick (Koppe); others of the laying on of hands to absolve penitents, but the obvious meaning is to refer it to ordination. It was usual to lay the hands on the heads of those who were ordained to a sacred office,... [ Continue Reading ]
DRINK NO LONGER WATER - There has been much difficulty felt in regard to the connection which this advice has with what precedes and what follows. Many have considered the difficulty to be so great that they have supposed that this verse has been displaced, and that it should be introduced in some o... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME MEN’S SINS ARE OPEN BEFOREHAND - This declaration, though it assumes a general form, is to be taken evidently in connection with the general subject of introducing men to the ministry 1 Timothy 5:22; and 1 Timothy 5:23 is to be regarded as a parenthesis. The apostle had given Timothy a charge 1... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKEWISE ALSO THE GOOD WORKS OF SOME ARE MANIFEST BEFOREHAND - The character of some people is clear, and accurately understood. There can be no doubt, from their works, that they are good people. We need not wait for the day of judgment to determine that, but may treat them here as good men, and in... [ Continue Reading ]