1 Timothy 5:1

“Up to this point in this letter, Paul has been giving instructions on matters that touched Timothy's relationship with the whole congregation. Almost the whole of the remainder of the letter is concerned with specific directions to Timothy to assist him in dealing with various groups and individuals within the congregation” (Reese p. 217).

1 Timothy 5:1 “Do not sharply rebuke”: In Classical Greek this refers to. sharp castigation with words. The word rendered “sharply rebuke” literally means to “strike with blows”, thus to smite or pound with words.

1 Timothy 5:1 “An older man”: In view of the fact that this context includes various age groups, younger men, older women, and younger women, the expression older man or elder in this section refers to an elder in respect to age. The same principle would apply to addressing. man who is in the office of an elder (1 Timothy 3:1), but this verse applies to rebuking any older man. As does the Old Testament, the New Testament stresses the importance of respect for age (Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31; Proverbs 20:29; Titus 2:1 ff). We should note that older men do not have the liberty to do anything they please, merely because they are old. Older men are not immune from committing folly, and neither does age give one the right to sin.

1 Timothy 5:1 “But rather appeal to him as. father”: Timothy must correct older men in the same way he would appeal to his own father. “Admonition is necessary for all, but. disrespectful, roughshod assault upon an older man by. preacher who is younger merely lays the accuser open to rebuke. All vindictiveness and bitterness must be avoided” (Kent p. 168). The term “appeal” means to “call alongside” for the purpose of encouragement, appeal, or admonition. “It is always. difficult thing to reprimand anyone with graciousness” (Barclay p. 119). “It is one of the tragedies of life that youth is so often apt to find age. nuisance” (p. 120).

1 Timothy 5:1 “To the younger men as brothers”: The term “appeal” also applies to when younger men need correction. This group of younger men would include those younger than Timothy and those who were his own age as well. This reminds Timothy “that he is to avoid all show of self-exaltation over them because of his position” (Hiebert p. 90).