I Timothy 5, Caring for Those in Your Church

In the previous chapter, Paul has emphasized correct teaching and careful treatment of Scriptural concepts. In this chapter his emphasis is on ministry to particular groups of individuals.  This includes concerns about physical needs and poverty.

1 Timothy 5: 1-2, Treat others with gentleness

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Timothy is to treat the congregants in his care with compassion and respect.

Paul's advice to Timothy about the treatment of women is sound; they are sisters and mothers.  Not potential conquests.  (I write this living in a country where the president and a variety of politicians and Hollywood producers have all been revealed to have made "lewd comments" about women. There is no room for lewd talk -- or even lewd thoughts -- among men active in the kingdom of God.)

1 Timothy 5: 3-10, Treatment of older widows

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.

Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

Widows were often the the most obvious case of poverty and need.  In a culture that tied women to husbands and family, the loss of a husband and the accompanying poverty was devastating.  The church should be the cutting edge in taking over the provisions for these women.  But in a world of considerable basis poverty, Paul is careful that the needs of widows not overwhelm the church.  So he seems to focus on the most extreme cases.

The translation of verse 9 is unclear; the NIV footnotes say "has been faithful to her husband" could be translated "had but one husband".  

1 Timothy 5: 11-16, Treatment of young widows 

As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.

So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

Paul has concerns about younger widows being put on the support rolls when they may change their minds later and decide to marry and have children.  I don't really understand Paul's concerns, some of which are surely cultural and not reflected in our society.

1 Timothy 5: 17-19, Treat the elders with justice and care

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."

Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.

There are two quotations here, one from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 25:4) and one from the New Testament (Luke 10:7.)  This is a rare case in the New Testament in which another New Testament passage is apparently quoted.

1 Timothy 5: 20-23, Steady maturity

Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.

I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

Here Paul gives a sequence of brief instructions.  Rebuke those (within the church) who refuse to turn away from sin.  Don't act on favoritism.  Don't be hasty.  ("Laying on of hands" is an act of appointment and endorsement; a pastor should be careful about endorsing a junior minister if he/she has not had time to mature.)

The final sentence is personal advice about health. Apparently Timothy was regularly ill and Paul suggests a little wine as medication.  This bit of advice makes it clear that Paul's instructions vary from general principles to specific situations.  As the church, over the centuries, has institutionalized his instructions, it is not clear which of his many instructions (in over a dozen letters) are universal and which instructions are cultural or even personal.  "Culture" versus "universal principle" is an active area of debate in the modern church.

1 Timothy 5: 24-25, Eventually we see good and bad deeds

The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.

Paul echoes the thoughts of Jesus (Luke 8:17) as he insists that what is done in darkness, whether good or evil, eventually comes out.  Sometimes quickly, sometimes much later.  But good deeds cannot be hidden.

Paul wraps up his advice in the next chapter.

I Timothy 4, Correct Teaching

Paul is giving Timothy advice on leading the church in Ephesus.

1 Timothy 4: 1-5, Fall teaching and abstention

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
  
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Paul predicts that people will follow a variety of hypocritical teachers who focus on outward actions and asceticism.  Over 2000 years, despite this passage, a variety of sects have emphasized their asceticism as evidence of some type of spirituality. Paul's last statement is a direct confrontation to the ascetic's claim to some spiritual discipline.

1 Timothy 4: 6-11, Godly training, not gossip

If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things.

Paul's focus in on correct understanding and knowledge, not rumors, myths, old stories.  Every community has its own versions of "old wives' tales", popular stories that have little in touch with reality.

1 Timothy 4: 12-16, Devoted to Scripture, preaching and teaching

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

In this passage we learn that Timothy is young (still young) and so this letter is fairly early.  Paul reminds Timothy to be an example and to keep his focus.  Like the church leaders in Acts, he is to focus on teaching from the Scriptures (the Old Testament, at that time) and be a model of the follower of Jesus.

In the next chapter Paul gives advice on pastoral care.

I Timothy 3, The Character of Church Leaders

Paul has been giving advice to Timothy on ministering in Ephesus.  In this passage he lays out expectations of church leaders.

1 Timothy 3: 1-7, Deacons

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.  Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

The term "overseer" has been translated "bishop" or possibly "elder". An overseer should be one whose spiritual life is mature and stable; their home life should also be reasonably stable. (Whose home life is completely stable?  Not anyone I know.)

This is another passage where people argue about cultural tags.  Although most Christians today would not argue that this passage says overseers should be married, some say this passage teaches overseers should be male.  I think this passage reflects practice: in that culture overseers did tend to be married men.  If so, here is how they should act....

1 Timothy 3: 8-13, Deacons and deaconesses

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

The word translated deacon here is literally "servant", a concept that probably showed up first in Acts 6: 1-7.  The passage about wives of deacons is unclear; according to the NIV footnotes, it could be speaking about women who are deacons.  "Their wives" could also be translated "deaconesses."

1 Timothy 3: 14-16, Mystery of godliness

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: 

He appeared in a body, 

was vindicated by the Spirit, 

was seen by angels, 

was preached among the nations, 

was believed on in the world, 

was taken up in glory.

In some manuscripts "He appeared in a body" is instead "God appeared in a body" (NIV footnotes.) The last part of this passage has the feel of an early creed or hymn.

More pastoral advice follows in the next chapter.  

I Timothy 2, Peaceful and Quiet Lives

Paul continues to instruct Timothy on church leadership.

1 Timothy 2: 1-4, Prayer for those in authority

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

Paul's request for prayer for government leaders is based on a desire for ordinary peaceful lives.  Paul has no desire to shake up society, unless it is through the (slow) progress brought by changed hearts and "knowledge of the truth".

1 Timothy 2: 5-7, One mediator, one ministry

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

Paul concludes the instruction about prayer with a strong statement about the true role of Jesus, as Savior-Mediator.  And, as he often does, Paul follows this with a statement about his own calling to preach about the Messiah to the non-Jews.

1 Timothy 2: 8-15, Pastoral advice

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

After the first sentence, this passage becomes increasingly difficult for the modern reader.  Paul begins with desire for prayer and peace, followed then by an emphasis (for the Gentile untrained by Judaism) on modesty and inner beauty.  But after that, he seems to be very patriarchal, emphasizing female submission.

This passage is laden with the culture of the first century and one wonders how much of it deals with working within the first century culture.  I won't elaborate on the various positions taken by the church today ("complementarianism" and "egalitarianism", among others) but I do want to point out that the first verses in the chapter clarifies Paul's desire for peaceful lives of quiet change and quiet spiritual development. He has no plans to overthrow society. Eventually, over several centuries, Christianity did become the dominant religion in Europe (at least officially) and did indeed overturn society. But that is not Paul's goal here.

The NIV footnotes allow the last sentence to be translated "But she will be restored through childbearing..." presumably relating back to the divisions created by the Fall.  Neither phrasing is compatible with other statements about women and men being equal before God (i.e. Galatians 3:28)

More pastoral advice is given in the next chapter.

I Timothy 1, God's Work on the "Chief Sinner"

Paul's letter to Timothy is the first of three pastoral letters preserved in the New Testament.  The term "pastoral" (first used in the eighteenth century for I & II Timothy and Titus) identifies these letters as written to young men active in Christian ministry.  The letters are personal but also lay out some of Paul's principles of ministry.

1 Timothy 1: 1-2, To Timothy, grace, mercy and peace!

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is a standard ancient greeting, with Paul's added emphasis on the role of Jesus in the universe and in his relationship with Timothy.

1 Timothy 1: 3-5, Pure doctrine in Ephesus
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Timothy stayed in Asia Minor (now Turkey) while Paul crossed the Aegean Sea to northern Greece. Paul is concerned here, as in many of his letters, with the popular philosophies that the people attached to the Christian message.

1 Timothy 1: 6-11, Sound doctrine vs. meaningless talk

Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

There will always be some who use religious conversation to promote themselves and puff themselves up, acting as "experts."  This was apparently true in the first century; surely it is common now.

1 Timothy 1: 12-14, The blasphemer forgiven

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.  Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Paul expresses gratitude for his own conversion and renewed life.

1 Timothy 1: 15-17, The blasphemer forgiven

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul ends this passage with exuberant praise, first to God for saving himself, a "blaphemer", and second for God's eternal acts, including forgiveness offered to all.

This passage sounds like a goodbye, but Paul will continue writing for five more chapters.

1 Timothy 1: 18-20, 

Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Paul gives specific advice to Timothy, reminding him of his divine calling.  Paul also gives warning about two very specific individuals who have a "shipwrecked faith".

In the next chapter, Paul begins to give precise pastoral advice.

The Pastoral Epistles

Paul's letter to Timothy is the first of three pastoral letters preserved in the New Testament. The term "pastoral" (first used in the eighteenth century for I & II Timothy and Titus) identifies these letters as written to young men active in Christian ministry.  The letters are intimate and personal, written from an experienced senior to young men with whom he has spent months and years.  Although personal letters, the writings also give ministry advice, laying out some of Paul's principles of ministry.

Wikipedia has this page on the pastoral epistles.

Paul's first letter to Timothy is primarily advice to a young man committed to representing Christ in Ephesus.  Timothy apparently leads a church (or "assembly" of Christians) there.  Paul's letter describes two types of church leaders, "episkpoi" (bishops, elders) and "diakonoi" (servants, deacons.)  It also has a segment concerned about errors and deception, particularly errors to come in the future.

Paul's second letter to Timothy seems to be much later and has an air of finality as Paul appears to prepare for death.  Paul asks for some aid from Timothy and is aware he is giving some final advice.

Paul's letter to Titus (in Crete) also deals with church structure and the spiritual life of a minister.

OverviewBible has some nice summaries of the three epistles here: 

1. I Timothy
2. II Timothy
3. Titus

These three letters consist of a total of 13 chapters in our modern New Testament so we will cover them in just over two weeks.  The chapters are relatively short, less than 20 verses per chapter on average.

Ephesians 6, Relationships and the Armor of God

Paul has just been talking about marriage and the Church; one is a metaphor for the other.  Now he has advice about a number of relationships.

Ephesian 6:1-4, Keep unity

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

The quote in verse 3 is from Deuteronomy 5:16.  

As a teenager I appreciated the advice about father's not "exasperating" their children.  It is easy for a parent to lecture on "obedience to parents" but Paul's last comment recognizes that power can create frustration, exasperation, fatigue in the powerless.

Ephesian 6:5-9, Keep unity
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Paul's advice to Christians makes no attempt to overthrow the current social structure, at least not in any overt way.  Here he seems to accept the Roman empire's slave environment but then gives guidance on how to live within it in constructive ways.  This is clearest in his letter to Philemon (probably written about the same time) in which Paul expresses the hope that Philemon will free his slave, Onesimus, as that freedom is best for both.

Ephesian 6:10-18, The armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.   

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Paul uses the armor of a Roman soldier as a metaphor for spiritual battle, describing a number of spiritual weapons that one might use to survive, even grow in spiritual warfare.

Ephesian 6: 19-20, Keep unity
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may

 declare it fearlessly, as I should.

This is the third or fourth time that Paul's imprisonment is mentioned.  Even here, Paul seeks to be an ambassador.

Ephesian 6:21-24, Keep unity
Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. 

Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

The mention of "brother Tychicus" is the only personal note in this entire letter.  Tychicus is presumably carrying this letter to churches in the Ephesus region.