1Tim 5:3-17
The Pastor and The People (2)
Last week we began this section of study. So far, Paul addressed two
groups within the church and gave counsel on how to treat them.
1. \\#1-2\\ Pastor, treat your people with respect. Treat them
as family, as people that means something to you.
2. \\#3-19\\ Pastor, honor the widows. Two topics in this
section.
a. How do you treat a widow? With respect. Again, like they
matter to you.
b. How much care do you give a widow? That depends.
(1) Remember we are speaking of complete care here as in
\\#Acts 6:1\\.
(2) While all widows are to be honored, all are not to be
the responsibility of the church—at least not
permanently.
(3) Paul listed some qualifications that had to be meet.
I. \\#3-17\\ What kind of qualifications were there for a widow
A. \\#5:1\\ Marriage qualification-She had to be a widow
indeed—having no husband. The word "desolate" \\#5\\
meaning bereaved.
B. Family qualification-The widows should not have others who
could take care of them. Family should take care of family.
1Tim 5:4 But if any widow have children or
nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at
home, and to requite their parents: for that
is good and acceptable before God.
1Tim 5:16 If any man or woman that believeth
have widows, let them relieve them, and let not
the church be charged; that it may relieve them
that are widows indeed.
1Tim 5:8 But if any provide not for his own,
and specially for those of his own house, he
hath denied the faith, and is worse than an
infidel.
C. \\#9\\ Age qualifications
1Tim 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the
number under threescore years old, having been
the wife of one man,
1. Remember this is a discussion for those who are widowed
(without a husband) not for those who are sick or
injured.
a. There are no age requirements for helping those who
are sick and injured.
b. Paul was speaking of a woman who is healthy and fit
but single.
(1) To be a widow in the church’s care, the widow had
to be at least 60 years old.
(2) If she was younger, Paul told her to get married
and operate a home.
1Tim 5:14 I will therefore that the younger
women marry, bear children, guide the house,
give none occasion to the adversary to speak
reproachfully.
2. There were several reasons for this.
a. They may not be ready to fulfill their obligation to
the Christ and the church.
(1) A widowed woman under the care of the church was
to give herself to Christ and prayer.
(2) There was a commitment on her part to be a holy,
devout woman for Christ the rest of her life.
(3) We have an example of this in Luke.
(a) New Testament "church care" of the widows
might have been carried over from temple
worship as it was practiced in Jesus’ day.
Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser:
she was of a great age, and had lived with an
husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and
four years, which departed not from the temple,
but served God with fastings and prayers night
and day.
(b) This was what the church expected from their
widows as well.
(5) If she later changed her mind, she would be going
back on her consecration and her word. This was
sin.
1Tim 5:11 But the younger widows refuse: for
when they have begun to wax wanton against
Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast
off their first faith.
b. \\#13\\ Some might use their time to pick up some
sinful habits.
1Tim 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle,
wandering about from house to house; and not
only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies,
speaking things which they ought not.
c. The indication from both of these reasons is that
a younger woman might still lack the spiritual
maturity to live the life required to be under
the care of the church.
(1) Paul was bearing witness that some things can
come with time.
(2) Call it experience, wisdom, maturity—whatever.
(3) I think the key is learn as you live and you will
become wiser.
D. Spiritual qualifications
1Tim 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed,
and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth
in supplications and prayers night and day.
1Tim 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the
number under threescore years old, having been
the wife of one man,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she
have brought up children, if she have lodged
strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet,
if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have
diligently followed every good work.
1. The church should attempt to provide for those widows
who had served the Lord and fulfilled their roles
as a wife and mother.
2. This was not just a charity of the church. These women
were obligated to continue doing those things for the
saints.
3. They became spiritual mothers to the church.
E. And what was to be done for those who did not qualify?
1Tim 5:11 But the younger widows refuse….
1. That is being directed to those who fail only one of
the qualifications, but the same action would have to
be rendered to any woman who failed to meet any or
all the qualifications.
2. What would happen to a woman who was not cared for by
the church?
(1) God might stir her dead-beat husband to work.
(2) God might heal the injured or sick.
(3) God might convict the children and family to help
care for the widow.
(4) God might provide work for the widow.
(5) God might provide a husband for the widow.
(6) God might convict the widow about the kind of
life she lived and draw her closer to Himself.
(7) God might let the widow suffer or even die.
(a) God takes care of His own!
(b) But the stubborn and sinful are likely to
have a hard time of it.
II. \\#17-21\\ Honor the Elders - Paul returned to the topic of the
elders for a moment. Remember, the elders are the older men in
the church who were to be respected and intreated as they were
unofficial leaders in the church.
Introduction - This is an important section for it shows that the
leaders of the church are not above the laity. From the beginning
of this epistle, we have asked why are the pastorial epistles in the
Bible? The answer is because God wants everyone to know what He
expects. God’s expectation for the leaders is no less—indeed in
some ways more—than for the church members. These epistles prove
that.
A. \\#17-18\\ Give to the elders who help in leading the church,
"double honor," especially those who in lead through the
Word of God.
1Tim 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be
counted worthy of double honour, especially
they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not
muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.
And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
1. Elders were an important group of leaders in the church
just like deacons are in many churches today.
2. They hold churches together for the long term.
a. Pastors, missionaries, evangelists—we come and
normally go, but these men stay for their lives.
b. The elders give the church stability and while pastors
may be the primary doctrinal teachers in the church,
these men—if grounded in the Word—will provide as
much if not more to the church in the long run.
3. Paul quoted from \\#Deut 25:4\\. It implies that Paul was
not speaking merely of respect but substantive materials
as well.
B. \\#19\\ Give to the elders the benefit of the doubt.
1Tim 5:19 Against an elder receive not an
accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
1. Don’t believe just any accusation.
a. The word "accusation" means a charge.
b. The word "receive" means to admit, to delight in, to
believe.
c. The thought is do not accept an accusation in a
welcoming way or don’t just to believe it.
2. There needs to be at least two witnesses to accept as
proven a charge. This is a good practice toward every
one. \\#Deut 19:15\\ just an elder, but anyone.
3. The fact that we may not believe an accusation against an
elder with just one complaint does not mean that a charge
should be left unchecked.
a. The pastor and a few of the leaders of the church
should investigate quietly any and all charges laid
against those who are directing the church.
b. An allegation against any church member must be
investigated to determine whether there are any more
witnesses.
C. \\#20\\ Rebuke those who are guilty.
1Tim 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all,
that others also may fear.
1. This verse still speaks of the elders.
2. If they have done wrong, their wrong is not to be sweep
under the rug. It is to be dealt with openly.
a. Private sins may be dealt with privately.
b. Public sins must be dealt with publically.
D. \\#21\\ Paul emphasized this to Timothy.
1Tim 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that
thou observe these things without preferring one
before another, doing nothing by partiality.
1. Paul specifically told Timothy that he must always obey
this command—I think he meant specifically the last part
of the command.
2. He was not to let partiality and friendships stop him from
dealing with sin among the church elders.
3. If he did—or we do—sin will become acceptable and if sin
becomes acceptable, the church will cease to be the
church.
III. \\#5:22-6:21\\ Varied Personal Habits - This is Paul’s practical
section and it goes through the end of the book. Paul mentioned
several traits which ought to be practiced by all Christians but
especially those who are pastors.
1Tim 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither
be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
A. \\#22\\ Don’t put your hands on anyone.
B. Don’t follow others to sin.
1. It has been 2,000 years since Paul wrote this and people
still follow-the-leader into sin.
2. Parents for generations have given the proverb, "And if
they jumped off a cliff would you follow them?"
3. Don’t follow the leader. Be the leader.
C. Stay pure. Context is with others so Paul likely meant
sexually pure.
D. \\#23\\
1Tim 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a
little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine
often infirmities.
1. Is this giving permission to drink alcohol?
a. Wine means anything that is grown of the vine.
b. Wine is not necessarily a fermented drink.
c. Juices have healing and helping properties. Just this
week, someone posted on one our prayer requests that
cherry juice is instant healer for gout. (I don’t
know if it is true or not but it is likely.)
2. But even if we are speaking of alcohol, God gave all
things for some good, and alcohol has a place in the
doctor’s medical bag.
a. Paul specifically mentioned drinking wine for
Timothy’s stomach and his infirmities.
b. I drink alcohol every time I take Nyquil liquid. It
is 10% alcohol!
3. For that matter, codeine, heroin, and oxycontin are all
medicines created and marketed for medical reasons.
a. As in all things, the problem is not the product but
in the people who abuse the product.
b. So it is with liquor. God gave it to help the body
and to dull the mind.
4. So is God giving permission to drink alcohol? God is
giving permission for sick people to use the things
that He has created to help themselves—never to hurt
themselves.
E. \\#24-25\\ A truth about people
1. This is more of a lesson to be learned than a habit to
be practiced.
1Tim 5:24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand,
going before to judgment; and some men they
follow after.
25 Likewise also the good works of some are
manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise
cannot be hid.
2. Some men’s sins are open and visible. Others may be hid
but will meet the sinner at the judgment.
3. Then some men’s good works may be open and in view; but
the opposite of good works, namely bad works, cannot be
hid.
a. I’m not certain why Paul wanted to get this thought in
there.
b. Perhaps Paul wanted Timothy to know that if he as a
preacher started doing bad things, God would bring
it to the surface.
c. Of course, this is true of all.
Mr 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall
not be manifested; neither was any thing kept
secret, but that it should come abroad.
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