1 Timothy Chapter 5 Verses 1 – 2

• Paul is instructing Timothy in terms of how to properly, effectively and excellently administrate the church and what he says here isn’t for Timothy not to bring Godly correction in any and every situation. Actually this word for “rebuke” is peculiar to this verse only. Only place this Greek word is used…and it literally means, “To strike or beat upon.” It’s especially harsh but notice just a few verses later, Paul says to Timothy, in verse 20, “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all…” But, totally different Greek word for rebuke…this one is literally, “Godly correction.”

• The truth is (and Paul knows it because by now he is well aged) a Godly man or woman will show respect and appreciation to those who are aged. Proverbs 16:31 says, “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,” and Leviticus 19:32 says, “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.”
• And so the direction from Paul…love them…but love God more. But love them. Don’t forget to love them! What a reasonable and important charge! Think of them as family…notice that? Paul takes them all from the outside and brings them in and by the end of verse 2, they’re all family. I just love that. So are you to lead with fervent strength and zeal and even authoritative correction? Of course, but remember…they’re family.
• Do the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives…and that’s just good exhortation. That word for exhort in verse 1 is parakaleo…it is the same word used for the ministry of the Holy Spirit…do that! And with the young ladies…Timothy...purity.

1 Timothy Chapter 5 Verses 3 – 6

• Understand that in those days there was no social assistance system…folks actually had to work! Oh the horror!! But there was one group of people that was especially vulnerable and that was the elderly widows described as “left alone” by Paul. Paul makes provision for them here but he also says something very interesting, “But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.” The implication here is not that you or I are not to be pleased or thankful for our lives and what God has done but rather the implication is that if the church is asked for financial assistance and that person asking is not trusting in God…say no.
• How do you know? They are living in pleasure rather than humility! Mom is down the street. Dad is a phone call away. They neither serve nor attend regularly when they could…man the list just goes on and on…they COULD work but their mountain of excuses are always “because of someone else!” They are in want because they please the flesh rather than walking in the spirit! Answer when asked for assistance…No. And I love the next verse…

1 Timothy Chapter 5 Verse 7

• Preach this! Let the folks know ahead of time, Timothy…so that a) you’ll hold to sound judgment yourself when the time comes…because hey, you can’t go against what you’ve taught, and b) so that the folks know what to expect! I love that!

1 Timothy Chapter 5 Verse 8

• This is huge! If a widow has a kiddo or a widow has a sister or a brother or any other family in the house of God, let them provide for her…the church is the last resort. NOT the first! Why? Because the church should be concerned and focused on serving the spiritual needs of the community…serving the financial needs almost works against spiritual desperation…except in the case of the mature in the Lord. Then worship and praise flows. But the principle stands…
• Families should take care of their own and you know why that most all of the time does not happen? Because of pride…You’d have to call your younger sister and let her know how desperate your situation is…or you’d have to visit your dad who lives two cities over who didn’t even come to your wedding because he didn’t approve of the man you were marrying…and now you’re in desperate need and don’t want to prove him right…pride.

• Now, let me downshift for just a minute. This isn’t just money…it includes money. To provide for your own…your own wife, your own kids, your own elderly mom…look, Paul says, “his,” and “he” here…is much more than putting food on the table. What about love? The word “pronoeo” in the Greek actually means to provide for, to foresee for…to think of before…to put them first. So it’s much more than providing three meals a day dad…it’s to lead them spiritually, and it’s much more than bringing home the bacon husband…it is to put her first in every thought, decision and plan…

• At its most basic interpretation this exhortation and Godly doctrine is simply this…if you are not servant to your family then you have denied the faith, and someone without any faith at all would serve them better. Whoa. That’s major, man. But remember this truth the next time you can’t hold your tongue against her, husband. Remember this truth the next time you sign little Billy up for baseball when all of the games are on Sunday meaning you can’t take them to church, dad…Remember…and honor God. Remember this when you’re offered that raise but it means working Wednesday nights…remember that to serve the hearts and needs of your family is exactly what Jesus did for you on the cross…