CARE FOR OTHERS

MARCH 24, 2013 

1.     RESPECT ALL AGE GROUPS (1 TIMOTHY 5:1-2)

1 Timothy 5:1-2

1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

NASB 

Verse 1:

·         Paul knew, that Timothy in the course of pastoral work, would have to correct the faults of certain church members.

·         Paul told him not to do it, as we would say in Texas, not to jump on them with both feet.

·         Paul does not want Timothy to let the elders get away with their mistakes and errors, even sins.

·         But he does not want Timothy to do anything less than to treat the elders with the respect that their years in age, and even years in the church deserve.

·         Such elders are to be corrected as a son speaks to his father in such matters, with respect, plus to treat younger men as his brothers.

·         We should remember that the verb admonish (in the original) means to call aside.

Verse 2:

·         We should not be permissive with the elderly women.

·         When they require correcting, we should not take the attitude that they are old enough to do what they wish without any interference.

·         This was not permitted in the O.T., it is not to be permitted in the New Testament.

·         Though this task may at times prove to be delicate, it must not be shunned. 

2.     ACT RESPONSIBLY (1 TIMOTHY 5:3-8)

1 Timothy 5:3-8

3 Honor widows who are widows indeed; 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family, and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is a widow indeed, and who has been left alone has fixed her hope on God, and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. 6 But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

NASB 

Verse 3:

·         In the early church, it was the neglect of widows that led to the appointment of the first deacons - so that the widows might receive better care.

·         Gainful employment for widows was scarce. Besides, some widows were too old to provide for themselves. Hence, those who had no other means of support must be provided for by the church.

Verse 4:

·         It is the duty of all children to come to the aid of their parents when their parents are in need of assistance.

·         This lesson must be learned even if it means self-denial. It is certainly implied in the Fifth Commandment.

·         YET, to render assistance to our parents IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE BEFORE GOD!

Verse 5:

·         When a woman is married and while her husband lives, she bestows upon her husband much love and affection.

·         When her husband dies, a spiritual minded woman, will transfer all that love and affection unto the Lord.

·         Before her husband’s death, she looks to her husband to supply much of her earthly needs.

·         After his death, she must look to the Lord to supply all her needs.

Verse 6:

·         Such a person, though physically alive, has actually died and is therefore now dead to all spiritual interests.

·         A widow that lives only for pleasure, for self is not considered to be exhibiting the traits of a Christian.

Verse 7:

·         Timothy must see to it that the church honors really dependent and deserving widows, that the children and grandchildren do their duty to their parents and that everyone knows how to distinguish between the widow who should be honored and the widow who should not be honored.

·         Timothy should make these things very clear to the church in order that they might act in an honorable manner.

·         Here Timothy is commanded by Paul to teach these things so that the congregation at his church might know to do the right thing and thereby be blameless before God.

Verse 8:

·         The widow is to be taken care of by her own flesh and blood.

·         If they are not taking care of their own, they have no testimony for God.

·         By sinful negligence. Lack of positive action, the sin of omission, gives the lie to his profession of faith.

·         Where the good fruit of love is absent, there cannot be a good tree. 

3.     HELP NEEDY CHURCH MEMBERS (1 TIMOTHY 5:9-10, 16)

1 Timothy 5:9-10

9 Let a widow be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

NASB

            1 Timothy 5:16

16 If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, let her assist them, and let not the church be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.

NASB 

Verse 9:

·         They are widows who possessed the necessary qualifications for performing certain spiritual and charitable functions in the church.

·         Granted that some widows over 60 might be too old to take care of children (orphans), the fact is that some women of that age are not too old.

·         Even in that case, widows who have successfully brought up children are the very ones who can impart good advice to younger women - to train them "to love their husbands and to love their children" (Titus 2:4), and can give them all kinds of valuable advice.

Verse 10:

·         Anyone who performs church-work must have a good reputation.

·         Paul is saying that it is good to consider what kind of person the widow has been in the past.

Verse 16:

·         Needy widows are first of all the responsibility of those who are nearest to them; for example, children, grandchildren, women of means who are close to them. 

4.     SUPPORT CHURCH MINISTERS (1 TIMOTHY 5:17-18)

1 Timothy 5:17-18

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

NASB 

            Verse 17:

·         Meaning: honor and honorarium (honor and material reward).

·         It seems reasonable that they be given recognition, and it implies that such work should be rewarded in a material way.

Verse 18:

·         The purpose of this injunction was that men might see the kindness of God.

·         Be generous also to a visiting Bible teachers if their ministry has blessed you.