1 Timothy · chapter 5 of 6
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1 Timothy 5 teaches Timothy how to treat the members of the church as a family: with respect for older people and purity with younger ones. Paul explains which widows the church must support and that families must care for their own, asks double honor for elders who lead well, how to handle accusations against them and care in laying hands on anyone.
After describing what a minister should be, Paul gives practical guidance for the daily life of the congregation. This chapter deals with money, family, age and authority, delicate subjects in any church. Its central principle is that the community is a family and that each generation has a responsibility toward the other.
Paul asks Timothy not to rebuke an older man harshly but to encourage him as a father; younger men as brothers; older women as mothers; younger women as sisters, in all purity. He then turns to widows. If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to repay their parents. The widow who is truly left alone sets her hope on God and prays night and day. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
To be enrolled on the list of widows she must be at least sixty years old, the wife of one husband and known for good works: raising children, showing hospitality and caring for the afflicted. Younger widows are not to be enrolled, for they may wish to marry, or learn to be idle and to gossip; Paul would have them marry, bear children and manage their households. If a believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them, so that the church may help those who are truly widows.
Elders who rule well are worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching, for Scripture says that the ox is not to be muzzled while it treads out the grain, and the laborer deserves his wages. A charge against an elder is not to be admitted except on the evidence of two or three witnesses; those who persist in sin are to be rebuked before all. Timothy must keep these rules without partiality, not be hasty in laying on hands, and keep himself pure. Paul advises a little wine for his stomach, and notes that the sins and the good works of some are conspicuous while those of others appear later.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Timothy must treat an older man as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers and younger women as sisters, in all purity. The church is a family, and its relationships are governed by respect and affection.
Whoever does not provide for his own, especially for those of his household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Christian faith is also shown in the concrete care of one's family.
Elders who lead well deserve double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. Paul cites Scripture to show that supporting those who serve is right, and that the laborer deserves his wages.
An accusation against an elder should be admitted only on the evidence of two or three witnesses, and those who persist in sin must be rebuked publicly. It is a protection against slander and also against complicity with sin.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: As fathers and mothers. — 1 Timothy 5:1-2
Answer: Her children or grandchildren, who must learn to show godliness to their own household. — 1 Timothy 5:4
Answer: That he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. — 1 Timothy 5:8
Answer: Not less than sixty years. — 1 Timothy 5:9
Answer: Elders who rule well, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. — 1 Timothy 5:17
Answer: Two or three. — 1 Timothy 5:19
Churches have widows, elderly people, young people on their own and families in need among them. This chapter invites us to think about whom we are committed to and how to care for those who truly have no one, without freeing families of their responsibility. In a group you can identify one concrete need of an older person and share tasks to help.
It also teaches us to treat leaders justly: to support and honor them, without letting them become victims of rumor or hiding their sin. And the warning about laying on hands too quickly encourages congregations to take time to know the character of those they choose.
Paul has taught Timothy to handle each group in the church wisely. The last chapter deals with money and contentment, and with Paul's final call to fight the good fight of faith.
It seems to refer to a group of older widows whom the church supported and who, in return, devoted themselves to prayer and works of kindness. Commentators debate whether it was a group with formal service or simply a list for aid. The principle is clear: the church cares for the most vulnerable.
Paul gives health advice: Timothy had stomach trouble and frequent ailments, and water was not always safe. It is not an invitation to drink alcohol; in the same letter Paul asks leaders not to be addicted to wine.
It can be understood as respect and also as financial support, because Paul explains it by citing that the laborer deserves his wages. It means recognizing and supporting those who devote time to the leadership and teaching of the congregation.