Widows and Elders

1 TIMOTHY 5

Paul closes this letter to Timothy almost abruptly, with advice regarding two aspects of church components: widows and elders.

Each local church should develop its own plan to accommodate and care for widows. The ages and circumstances noted by Paul could certainly be directly related to the culture and tie in which this was written, and good principles certainly carry through for today. In the middle of the discussion is listed some virtues of not just a godly widow, but of a godly woman overall.

My main focus on this chapter moves to verses 17 and following. The "double honor" may indicate both respect and payment.

But look at some very practical warnings for elders who sin. OK, the elders are human, so guess what? They sin! And care should be taken in how sin in church leadership is to be confronted. Yet the most striking aspect of elders sinning is that they are to be rebuked if they CONTINUE in their sin, just as any saved sinner should be, and that the rebuke be done in order to keep others from sinning. These church members are to be fearful of sinning, just as we shoudl be. How often do we hear that taught, that we ought to be fearful of sinning? Further, the warning is such that Paul cautions Timothy to not assign too many as elders too fast, because if they are in sin, it could make him guilty by association. Timothy needs to carry out leadership without haste, some might think poorly of caution, as slow movements might hint of inactivity, yet discernment in these types of decisions may just take some time and certainly prayer.

Paul “solemnly charges Timothy”, basically with God and His angels as witnesses, to maintain the principles Paul has laid out for Timothy. Paul knows that Timothy has a tough job, and also a great heart. And apparently Timothy suffered from some sort of ailments or illness, and Paul advises him to add a little bit of “fruit of the grape”, the word used is wine, to his water to help his stomach. This is certainly not a call for pastors to engage in the drinking of wine, nor is it a blanket endorsement for the Christian to enjoy alcohol. This “wine” was very much used medicinally here, Timothy could not drop by the local pharmacy to pick up some antacid tablets.

A sobering close to the letter. Both sins and good deeds are evident, and what is telling is that the good ones apparently can be concealed, but those deeds which are “otherwise” cannot. Paul seems to speak of humility in actions, having already warned a few verses back to keep oneself free from sin. Yes, that is a daily battle, and fighting it will be very well worth the cause of Christ, for Timothy as well as today’s believer. I am sure that Timothy’s striving for godliness was felt in positive ways by this church he led in Ephesus.