The last two chapters of First Timothy provide practical instructions for our conduct and relationships to one another in the church. J. Vernon McGee says, “Both chapters 5 and 6 deal with this very practical matter of the duties of officers in the church. This gets right down to the nitty-gritty of church life today. There is nothing romantic in this, but it is very realistic and meaningful to us.”[1] In verses 1-16 of chapter 5 we learn several principles of respect and principles of care.
Principles of Respect
Respect the elders. In verse one, Paul tells Timothy to respect the elders that are in the church. There are two applications we see here. First of all, we are to respect the older men of the church. The term ‘elder’ can be applied to age. It is important that we acknowledge the aged men of the church and give them the respect they deserve. We should never rebuke an older man publicly. If a rebuke is needed, it should be done privately and with upmost love and respect. The older men should be treated as if they are our own father. Secondly, we are to respect the pastor of the church. The term ‘elder’ may also be a reference to the office of ‘elder’ or ‘pastor’. We should respect the office of pastor. We are not to rebuke a pastor publicly. If there is an issue that needs to be discussed, it should be done through the proper channels and in private. We should never gossip about the pastor or talk negatively about him amongst ourselves. He should be treated with great respect.
Respect the young men. Paul tells Timothy he should treat the elder men as fathers and the younger men as brothers. The younger men are to be treated as equals. They are to be encouraged and strengthened. The young men should faithfully work together for the good of the church.
Respect the elder women. The elder women of the church are to be treated the way you would treat your own mother. They are to be listened to. They are to be loved. They are to be cared for.
Respect the younger women. Paul tells Timothy to treat the younger women of the church as if they are his sisters. This is a warning given to Timothy in his relationships with the young women of the church. He is to honor them. He is not to be flirtatious or do anything that would send a wrong and inappropriate signal to the young women.
Respect the widows. In verse 3, Paul tells Timothy to honor those who are widows indeed. The widows ‘indeed’ are those who have no one else to care for them. These women should be respected and cared for by the church.
Principles of Care
In verses 3-16 Paul gives specific instructions on how the widows of the church are to be cared for. Though this section deals specifically with the care of widows, it may also be applied in principle to how a church cares for those among them that are in need.
Care for your own. In verse 4 and 8 and 16 Paul makes it very clear that families should care for their own. He gives strong language claiming that those who do not take care of their own families are worse than unbelievers. If there is someone within the church that is in need, especially a widow, investigation should be made by the deacons to see if there is a family member such as children or grandchildren that can provide for the need. The church should not be expected to provide for those who have family members that can care for them.
Care for those who live godly. In verses 5-7 Paul tells Timothy to give special care to those widows and others in need that live a godly life. Again, the deacons of the church should investigate each and every need. Funds should not be given to those who are living a sinful lifestyle. It is important that we do not enable those who are living in sin, especially when they are doing nothing, to care for themselves. Remember, these instructions are for dealing with issues within the church. We most certainly should be a help to lost people in order that we may win them to Christ. However, if there is a believer in the church that is living in sin and they come to the church asking for help with a need, that need should not be met unless they repent and get things right with God. Those in the church that we care for the most should be those who are living godly lives and have no other family to help them.
Care for those who cannot care for themselves. In verse 9-14 Paul says to not care for widows that are under the age of 50. The younger women are able to work and care for themselves. The principle here is that we should not provide continuous care for someone who is able to work. There are times when we may need to help someone with a specific need in an emergency situation. However, we should not provide continuous help to those who are able to take care of themselves. We should not provide care for those who are idle and lazy, and they do not fulfill their personal responsibilities.
The church should show respect to one another and care for those in the church who have genuine needs. Such respect and care bring glory to God and points others to Christ.
[1] McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible. 1 Timothy. p. 451
Pastor Chris Noland 