Daily Scripture Reading 1Timothy 5:3-25
Modern society has many government welfare programs. This has caused many Christians to adopt the attitude that government is responsible for taking care of widows when they are in need, particularly in their retirement years. We will see in today’s passage that, despite welfare programs, Christians are not off the hook when it comes to providing financial support for family members.
1Tim. 5:3 ¶ Honor widows who are widows indeed,
Look at the word “honor”. In the English language, the word honor typically means to show respect or fulfill an obligation. We tend not to associate honor with giving money. The Greek verb that was used in this verse means to fix the value. It does convey the idea of money. Honoring widows includes providing for them financially.
1Tim. 5:4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
Children and grandchildren are obligated to take care of their parents and grandparents.
1Tim. 5:5 Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
1Tim. 5:6 But she who lives in self-indulgence is dead even while she lives.
1Tim. 5:7 And command these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.
1Tim. 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Think about the meaning of this verse. Anyone who does not provide for his own family members is worse than an unbeliever. That is a harsh statement. I don’t think it means he is unsaved. It means his actions are more cruel than the actions of unbelievers.
1Tim. 5:9 ¶ A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
Notice the word “list”. The Bible does not define what Paul meant by “the list”. Apparently, the church in Ephesus, and perhaps others, had a list of widows that the church supported. Paul gave requirements that each widow had to meet in order to be on the list.
She had to be at least 60 years old. She had to have been married, and married to only one man.
1Tim. 5:10 having a reputation for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in affliction, if she has devoted herself to every good work.
Only mothers could be put on the list. Over the past century or so, the western world has devalued motherhood. This command from Paul proves that women who become mothers should be rewarded and cared for. In other words, God places high value on motherhood.
1Tim. 5:11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,
1Tim. 5:12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.
1Tim. 5:13 And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house. And not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.
1Tim. 5:14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no opportunity for reviling,
1Tim. 5:15 for some have already turned aside after Satan.
Paul wrote that young widows should turn to marriage for financial support in the event they are widowed.
This is a very controversial concept in today’s world. Feminism rejects the idea that women should be told to rely on men. However, the Bible says what it says. If this is what God said young widows should do, then this is what the church should teach and encourage.
1Tim. 5:16 If any believing woman has widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.
Notice the word church. Notice there is no mention of the government in this passage.
Due to the existence of government welfare programs, many Christians today have the attitude that they are not obligated to help family members because the government will take care of them. If a widow does not have enough money, they blame government instead of providing help themselves. This passage does not say family should provide support so that the government has money for other people. Instead, it says family should provide support so that the church can use its money for those who are truly needy. Just because there are many government welfare programs does not mean Christians are absolved of all responsibility for taking care of widows who have financial needs.
1Tim. 5:17 ¶ The elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor at preaching the word and teaching.
The word “honor” is a translation of a greek word that means price and respect. Elders who lead well deserve to be paid for doing so.
1Tim. 5:18 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE IT IS THRESHING,” and “THE LABORER IS WORTHY OF HIS WAGES.”
1Tim. 5:19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
1Tim. 5:20 Those who continue in sin, reprove in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful.
Don’t miss the phrase “in the presence of all”. The conventional wisdom in church today is that rebuke should happen behind closed doors. However, elders who sin should be publicly rebuked.
Pay attention to the reason elders should be publicly rebuked. The goal is to make the rest of the elders afraid to sin. In recent decades modern society has attempted to eliminate shame and fear. However, when an elder sins, the church should intentionally create fear.
1Tim. 5:21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His elect angels, to observe these instructions without bias, doing nothing in partiality.
1Tim. 5:22 Do not lay hands upon anyone hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
1Tim. 5:23 ¶ No longer drink water only, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
1Tim. 5:24 ¶ The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.
1Tim. 5:25 So also good works are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
Since there is a multitude of government assistance programs in our modern world, many Christians have fallen into the mentality that there are no obligations when it comes to providing financial assistance to family members. Paul taught differently. He made it clear that children and grandchildren are responsible for helping parents and grandparents if necessary.
What assistance does your church provide to widows?
Are there instances where your church is helping widows because family members do not help?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”