1 Timothy (Chapter 5)

1 Timothy 5

Paul's instructions to Timothy regarding the church in Ephesus become very specific and practical in this chapter.

Though Timothy is charged with correcting and rebuking false teaching, he must encourage, rather than rebuke, older men and women as fathers and mothers and younger men and women as brothers and sisters (5:1-2).

He is also to honor widows that are truly widows, i.e., those who have no family to help or support them. Paul considers family members, who do not help their relatives, as those who have denied the faith (5:8). Those can should help their relatives in need and not overburden the church with the responsibility.

The specific problem in the Ephesian church was the result of too many widowed women who had too much time on their hands, who has idlers were busy spreading false teaching and rumors (5:13). Those widowers under the age of 60 should seek to remarry, bear children, and manage a household (5:14).

Elders who can teach and preach well should be held in honor (5:17-18). Criticism directed against elders should not be entertained except upon the evidence of two to three witnesses (5:19).

Paul admonishes Timothy to publicy rebuke those who persist in sin (5:20) without partiality. Nothing will remain hidden -- both the sins and the good works a person commits will eventually be revealed.

Reflection

All churches have conflict between members. It is inevitable, since we are all in process of being sanctified by the Spirit, but have not been completed yet in Christ until the day we stand before him. We can, however, address conflict in a spirit of honoring each other in all purity (5:2).

Paul makes no mention of people, in his instructions to Timothy, who have been divorced or who are single and suffering economic hardship -- only widows. Nor does he mentioned men who have been widowed. So, then, we have a specific instruction given to a specific situation. The problem, as in the previous chapters, were particular women who were slandering, gossipping, and who were busybodies spreading false teaching and rumors.

As one who is the age of 50 and an "empty nester," it is most sobering to consider raising a family at the age of 60. I don't know if I would have the energy. The point, however, is well-taken. These specific and certain problem-causing widows have nothing meaningful to do. Paul counsels them, from a 1st century perspective, to get involved in honorable pursuits (marriage and family), i.e., they need to get their attention off themselves and onto serving others. This word is pertinent to our generation: get our attention off of ourselves and onto those who are in need.

This past year has been devastating for many with the poor economy. Nationwide, people struggle to keep their jobs and homes. We have two modest funds at the church, one to help our own people in financial need, and the other to help those in the community in need. These are funded by the generosity of specific gifts by donors to these funds. It is not "rocket science." If we have the money, we can help. If we don't, we cannot.

As a church, we want to help, like Paul, those without family. They are truly alone and need to belong somewhere. As pastors, we have turned people away, especially when those coming for help have extended family. Of course, it's not always easy to discern. Some people are estranged from their families and will not receive any help.

This portion of Paul's letter also addresses why we, as Lutheran, pay our pastors and teachers (cf. 5:17-18, "a laborer is due his wages"). It is a way that a congregation show that it honors the ministry of God's word among them.

- Pastor Jeff