1Ti 5:14 | KingComments | STEP | . After his remarks about refusing young widows Paul offers an alternative: “I want younger [widows] to get married.” This alternative way is not only being allowed, but it is also recommended. See also 1 Corinthians 7 ( ), where it is written amongst other things that most people are not given to be alone, like Paul. Therefore the younger widow is at liberty to whom she marries, only in the Lord ( ). To remarry also means the acceptance of the normal consequence of a marriage and that is “bear children”. Another consequence is that the remarried younger widow “keep house” instead of wandering about from house to house. Especially if she has children she will have enough things to do at home. For the ruling of the house of course the father is primarily responsible, but the practical implementation surely is in the hands of the mother. Here the Word of God gives an example of the significant position that the wives have received through the gospel: not a slave of the husband, but equivalent. If she is faithful to her own house then the adversary will have no occasion to speak reproachfully about the house of God. The word “occasion” is used in the army to indicate a basis from where the enemy attacks. Unfortunately the adversary often succeeds to create such a basis in Christian marriages and families. . Paul seems to be familiar with the circumstances and the individuals of the church at Ephesus. He had to conclude that some have already deviated from the way of faith and have turned aside to follow satan. For those his advice is too late, but hopefully for others it is on time. . He once more returns to the issue that the church only in exceptional cases must take care of widows. The duty of care not only lies on the children and grandchildren ( ), but also on other family members, for example a sister of the widow. With the clear order “she must assist them”, Paul points at the responsibility of close family members. It appears to be necessary, also for us, to point this out, because there is always the inclination to pass on the responsibility to others. Faith exempts no man from personal responsibility. When others are able to provide ‘first aid’, “the church must not be burdened” with it. The church only has to come into action in cases where there are no other, primarily responsible, persons. Then the church will be free to “assist those who are widows indeed”. . After these extensive instructions to Timothy how to deal with widows in the church, Paul yet has some instructions regarding the elders (or overseers, see the comment on ). Elders rule the local churches ( ), they shepherd the flock of God and guard the doctrine ( ; ). Believers must respect their work (cf. ; ; ). Timothy has to point out to the church that elders are to be considered worthy of double honor. That has to do with the particular responsibility that accompanies their work. The fact that this exhortation is necessary, seems to indicate that also in those days people didn’t take much notice of the elders. Each elder must have that much knowledge of the Scripture that he is able to exhort and to correct somebody with it ( ; ). That doesn’t mean that every elder has a work in that. His first duty is: to rule, to maintain the order in God’s house. Indeed, there are also elders who preach and teach God’s Word. It does not come automatically. Preaching and teaching mean preparative work. The work in itself demands continuous dependence on the Lord. Also the after-care that goes together with such work, demands commitment. Therefore there is mention of “work hard”, which means to do heavy work, to the brink of exhaustion. Spiritual activities can be that heavy. The honor that “especially” those who work hard like that are supposed to get, may be expressed in the financial support of the church. . To empower this recommendation Paul quotes two statements from the Scripture. By saying “for the Scripture says” he underlines that the speaking of God and of the Scripture have the same authority. The first quote is from Deuteronomy 25 ( ). Paul already quoted this verse earlier in 1 Corinthians 9 ( ; cf. ). God has determined: “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” That speaks of God’s care for the oxen. A threshing ox is allowed to eat of the grain while he is threshing. Still, God has not given this prescription for the oxen in the first place, but for His servants. This application of a verse from the Old Testament is fully permitted, as it also appears from 1 Corinthians 10 ( ) and Romans 15 ( ). Paul quotes this verse by addressing the Corinthians to clarify his entitlement on their support. He doesn’t do that to make use of it himself. He himself relinquishes this entitlement, because he doesn’t want to connect his work regarding the gospel in any way with money. In that way it is even more remarkable and also beautiful to see here how he applies this verse to others. This is quite a lesson for us. The things you relinquish, you don’t begrudge someone else. The second quote is a word of the Lord Jesus. When He sent out the seventy He said to them not to accept what they received as a charity, but as wages for their labor, “for the laborer is worthy of his wages” ( ). They were supposed to wholeheartedly entrust themselves to the Messiah and receive everything they were offered. As true laborers of the Lord they were entitled to do that on His behalf. Besides, it becomes clear by the words “the Scripture says”, followed by the quote from the Gospel according to Luke, that this gospel must already have existed. It also must have been accepted by the believers as a part of the Holy Scripture. You also see that the one quote comes from the Old Testament and the other quote from the New Testament. That proves the unity of both Testaments as both being perfectly inspired by God’s Spirit (cf. ). . An elder can also fail. The consequences of a failure of a leading brother are extremely serious. Such a person takes the most vulnerable place in the church because of his prominent position. The enemy is especially out for him. Therefore, if an accusation is made against an elder, then it must be rejected, unless there are two or three witnesses. If an elder is accused of a certain sin, then that accusation must properly be investigated ( ) and be dealt with great caution. There ought to be at least two and preferably three witnesses in a case of a possible sin, committed by an elder ( ; ; ). The church must not rely on rumors. The church doesn’t deal with a rumor, but with a concrete and specific sin. This instruction is important. The is a real danger that a person who has been admonished by an elder, but doesn’t want to obey, will want to put the elder in a bad light. You then hear remarks like ‘a wrong approach’ and ‘an insensitive behavior’. Also suggestive statements are made as if the elder himself also secretly cherishes a certain sin. All of such slandering talk about leading servants has been a tested means of satan. It goes around quickly and it causes enormous damage. It is important to remain far away from that. The way believers should be dealing with an elder who sins, will be paid attention to in the next section. Now read 1 Timothy 5:14-19 again. Reflection: In which way could you participate in relieving widows and how could you honor elders?

‏ 1 Timothy 5:14

Younger Widows and Elders

1Tim 5:14. After his remarks about refusing young widows Paul offers an alternative: “I want younger [widows] to get married.” This alternative way is not only being allowed, but it is also recommended. See also 1 Corinthians 7 (1Cor 7:1-9 ; 25-28), where it is written amongst other things that most people are not given to be alone, like Paul. Therefore the younger widow is at liberty to whom she marries, only in the Lord (1Cor 7:39).

To remarry also means the acceptance of the normal consequence of a marriage and that is “bear children”. Another consequence is that the remarried younger widow “keep house” instead of wandering about from house to house. Especially if she has children she will have enough things to do at home. For the ruling of the house of course the father is primarily responsible, but the practical implementation surely is in the hands of the mother. Here the Word of God gives an example of the significant position that the wives have received through the gospel: not a slave of the husband, but equivalent.

If she is faithful to her own house then the adversary will have no occasion to speak reproachfully about the house of God. The word “occasion” is used in the army to indicate a basis from where the enemy attacks. Unfortunately the adversary often succeeds to create such a basis in Christian marriages and families.

1Tim 5:15. Paul seems to be familiar with the circumstances and the individuals of the church at Ephesus. He had to conclude that some have already deviated from the way of faith and have turned aside to follow satan. For those his advice is too late, but hopefully for others it is on time.

1Tim 5:16. He once more returns to the issue that the church only in exceptional cases must take care of widows. The duty of care not only lies on the children and grandchildren (1Tim 5:4), but also on other family members, for example a sister of the widow. With the clear order “she must assist them”, Paul points at the responsibility of close family members.

It appears to be necessary, also for us, to point this out, because there is always the inclination to pass on the responsibility to others. Faith exempts no man from personal responsibility. When others are able to provide ‘first aid’, “the church must not be burdened” with it. The church only has to come into action in cases where there are no other, primarily responsible, persons. Then the church will be free to “assist those who are widows indeed”.

1Tim 5:17. After these extensive instructions to Timothy how to deal with widows in the church, Paul yet has some instructions regarding the elders (or overseers, see the comment on 1Tim 3:2). Elders rule the local churches (1Tim 3:5), they shepherd the flock of God and guard the doctrine (1Pet 5:2; Acts 20:28-31).

Believers must respect their work (cf. 1Thes 5:13; Heb 13:17; 1Cor 16:16). Timothy has to point out to the church that elders are to be considered worthy of double honor. That has to do with the particular responsibility that accompanies their work. The fact that this exhortation is necessary, seems to indicate that also in those days people didn’t take much notice of the elders.

Each elder must have that much knowledge of the Scripture that he is able to exhort and to correct somebody with it (1Tim 3:2; Tit 1:9). That doesn’t mean that every elder has a work in that. His first duty is: to rule, to maintain the order in God’s house.

Indeed, there are also elders who preach and teach God’s Word. It does not come automatically. Preaching and teaching mean preparative work. The work in itself demands continuous dependence on the Lord. Also the after-care that goes together with such work, demands commitment. Therefore there is mention of “work hard”, which means to do heavy work, to the brink of exhaustion. Spiritual activities can be that heavy. The honor that “especially” those who work hard like that are supposed to get, may be expressed in the financial support of the church.

1Tim 5:18. To empower this recommendation Paul quotes two statements from the Scripture. By saying “for the Scripture says” he underlines that the speaking of God and of the Scripture have the same authority.

The first quote is from Deuteronomy 25 (Deu 25:4). Paul already quoted this verse earlier in 1 Corinthians 9 (1Cor 9:9-10; cf. Gal 6:6). God has determined: “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” That speaks of God’s care for the oxen. A threshing ox is allowed to eat of the grain while he is threshing. Still, God has not given this prescription for the oxen in the first place, but for His servants. This application of a verse from the Old Testament is fully permitted, as it also appears from 1 Corinthians 10 (1Cor 10:11) and Romans 15 (Rom 15:4).

Paul quotes this verse by addressing the Corinthians to clarify his entitlement on their support. He doesn’t do that to make use of it himself. He himself relinquishes this entitlement, because he doesn’t want to connect his work regarding the gospel in any way with money. In that way it is even more remarkable and also beautiful to see here how he applies this verse to others. This is quite a lesson for us. The things you relinquish, you don’t begrudge someone else.

The second quote is a word of the Lord Jesus. When He sent out the seventy He said to them not to accept what they received as a charity, but as wages for their labor, “for the laborer is worthy of his wages” (Lk 10:7). They were supposed to wholeheartedly entrust themselves to the Messiah and receive everything they were offered. As true laborers of the Lord they were entitled to do that on His behalf.

Besides, it becomes clear by the words “the Scripture says”, followed by the quote from the Gospel according to Luke, that this gospel must already have existed. It also must have been accepted by the believers as a part of the Holy Scripture. You also see that the one quote comes from the Old Testament and the other quote from the New Testament. That proves the unity of both Testaments as both being perfectly inspired by God’s Spirit (cf. 2Pet 3:16).

1Tim 5:19. An elder can also fail. The consequences of a failure of a leading brother are extremely serious. Such a person takes the most vulnerable place in the church because of his prominent position. The enemy is especially out for him. Therefore, if an accusation is made against an elder, then it must be rejected, unless there are two or three witnesses.

If an elder is accused of a certain sin, then that accusation must properly be investigated (Deu 13:14) and be dealt with great caution. There ought to be at least two and preferably three witnesses in a case of a possible sin, committed by an elder (Deu 19:15; Mt 18:16; 2Cor 13:1). The church must not rely on rumors. The church doesn’t deal with a rumor, but with a concrete and specific sin.

This instruction is important. The is a real danger that a person who has been admonished by an elder, but doesn’t want to obey, will want to put the elder in a bad light. You then hear remarks like ‘a wrong approach’ and ‘an insensitive behavior’. Also suggestive statements are made as if the elder himself also secretly cherishes a certain sin. All of such slandering talk about leading servants has been a tested means of satan. It goes around quickly and it causes enormous damage. It is important to remain far away from that.

The way believers should be dealing with an elder who sins, will be paid attention to in the next section.

Now read 1 Timothy 5:14-19 again.

Reflection: In which way could you participate in relieving widows and how could you honor elders?