1 Timothy 5 Commentary
Church is family! There are older men and women. There are also Timothy’s peers – the brothers and sisters. Others would fall under the category of a young brother or a young sister. Timothy must appropriately relate to each category.
The scripture isn’t unaware of the peculiarities of the relationship between a young man and a young woman. Timothy shouldn’t cross the line. Check this line again and see how this instruction keeps Timothy from sexual immorality. His mindset is that of a brother towards his own sister. Purity of thoughts; purity of intentions; and purity of actions – in absolute terms!
Church leaders have the responsibility of caring for the widows in the church. Not every widow qualifies for help from the church. Exclude widows with the means to take care of themselves; either by themselves or from the immediate family.
Family members have the responsibility of caring for family members in need, like widows.
Help your parents, grandparents, or even your uncle because they helped you during your formative years. It pleases God. Verse 4. This verse establishes a strong basis for generosity within the physical family. I must pay back the years of care, love, and protection that I received from the family.
There are individuals whose lives don’t warrant help! Their walk with the LORD is straggled. The scripture seems to tilt towards a fear of wasting resources on a widow who wants to live ‘large’ and sinfully. There is no suggestion that such widows must be erased from the list of spiritually needy individuals.
If you are under sixty, you are expected to work and earn a living. If you are sixty and above, you may be put on the list. Other factors must be considered: Generosity, good deeds, and faithfulness. The LORD seems to establish a reward system even before we reach Heaven. The church should reward generosity while punishing vanity and greediness, but it all comes after sixty years for widows!
Young widows are encouraged to wash up and find life again under the roof of a worthy man – marry. There are many reasons advanced for this instruction. Loneliness may lead to idleness. Loneliness may also lead to unconstructive talk, probably resulting from a lack of balance. You also want them to have a physical cover regarding care and other physical needs.
We can see that there are actually physical solutions to some ‘spiritual’ situations. If Sister X is a widow and talks too much, prayer is always first but look to this scripture and encourage them to marry! They need balance and calmness that flow from a settled mind. Having children is on the list and there is also a reason for it – probably too obvious to mention.
Take care of performing leaders! Reward them! Reprove problematic leaders.
Don’t be hasty in laying hands! Verse 22. Equally, believers don’t have to be hasty in having hands laid on them!
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