The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
Commentary by Nick Boork
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October 20 – 1 Timothy 5
Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 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.
9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. 11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. 21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Paul writes extensively about the care of widows. This is important because a widow is a woman that was married to a man that has passed away and now she is left by herself alone.
However she may have believing children and Paul says that they should put their devotion to Christ to work by taking care of their mother because this is good and acceptable in the sight of God. Remember the Bible says that we are to honor our father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise that it may go well with us and that we may live long on the earth.
I want to relate a personal example of how the Lord led us to take care of my mother-in-law Milagros. I went to the Dominican Republic as a missionary where I met and married my beautiful wife Yngris in 1990. She was the only child of Milagros. Shortly after our marriage we returned to the US and her mother was left in the Dominican Republic alone. There were plenty of relatives looking at her situation and my wife and I felt that it was our responsibility especially as Christians to make sure that she was taken care of and so we did. First we sent her money monthly to be able to have enough to live and then we purchased her an apartment because the Lord had blah blessed us and we were able to take care of her. God performed a miracle and she was able to receive permanent residency in the US and came to live with us in our home in Michigan. We provided for her and felt great to have her with us and we took care of her until she went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. Let me tell you this was a strong testimony to our faith in Jesus Christ in the eyes of all her relatives in the Dominican Republic.
The point I’m making by sharing this with you is that if you’re a Christian and you have parents that need your help you really should take care of them and provide for their needs. First because it’s honoring your parent and second other people are watching how you treat your mother and father. Taking care of a parent in their time of need is pure religion in the sight of God and even unbelievers can see your devotion to God by caring for your parents. This is why Paul wrote to Timothy that believing sons and daughters should care for their aged parents and that the church should take care of widows that are really desolate and have no one to take care of them. This is a very precious ministry that churches should develop as part of their community out-reach.
Paul also writes about taking care of the ministers of God as far as financial compensation is concerned. He says in verse 17 that the elders that rule well should be counted worthy of double honor especially those whose work is teaching and preaching the word of God. There are different interpretations to the meaning of double honor but for me it means making sure that those that are employed by the church as pastors and elders are fully compensated financially to be able to give themselves entirely over to the work of leading the church and preaching and teaching the word of God without being in lack and having to get a job to make ends meet. If you have followed my teachings you understand that I have absolutely nothing against making your own money and being self-employed to take care of your own needs however the Bible teaches very clearly that fulltime elders should be compensated as the Lord Jesus also said that the worker is worthy of his wage.
When it comes to bringing discipline to elders that sin Paul says that you should not even receive an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those that are found guilty should be rebuked and held accountable. Spiritual leaders are to be the examples for the flock. If they fall in sin, thank God they can be forgiven and restored but they absolutely need to be held accountable and not allowed to go without correction.
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Widows should be taken care of by their children and show their devotion to God by taking care of their parents when they are in need.
2) The church should care of widows that have no one else to take care of them.
3) Pastors that do a good job leading the church preaching and teaching the word of God should be fully compensated financially so they can continue their precious work.
4) Be careful not to act quickly to bring discipline on an elder that is being accused of something unless it is coming from two or three witnesses and that should be carefully investigated.
5) Pastors and Elders that sin are to be held accountable and not allowed to continue in their ministry until they’re fully restored.
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association.
Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute.
Enroll free today! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 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.
9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. 11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. 21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Paul writes extensively about the care of widows. This is important because a widow is a woman that was married to a man that has passed away and now she is left by herself alone.
However she may have believing children and Paul says that they should put their devotion to Christ to work by taking care of their mother because this is good and acceptable in the sight of God. Remember the Bible says that we are to honor our father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise that it may go well with us and that we may live long on the earth.
I want to relate a personal example of how the Lord led us to take care of my mother-in-law Milagros. I went to the Dominican Republic as a missionary where I met and married my beautiful wife Yngris in 1990. She was the only child of Milagros. Shortly after our marriage we returned to the US and her mother was left in the Dominican Republic alone. There were plenty of relatives looking at her situation and my wife and I felt that it was our responsibility especially as Christians to make sure that she was taken care of and so we did. First we sent her money monthly to be able to have enough to live and then we purchased her an apartment because the Lord had blah blessed us and we were able to take care of her. God performed a miracle and she was able to receive permanent residency in the US and came to live with us in our home in Michigan. We provided for her and felt great to have her with us and we took care of her until she went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. Let me tell you this was a strong testimony to our faith in Jesus Christ in the eyes of all her relatives in the Dominican Republic.
The point I’m making by sharing this with you is that if you’re a Christian and you have parents that need your help you really should take care of them and provide for their needs. First because it’s honoring your parent and second other people are watching how you treat your mother and father. Taking care of a parent in their time of need is pure religion in the sight of God and even unbelievers can see your devotion to God by caring for your parents. This is why Paul wrote to Timothy that believing sons and daughters should care for their aged parents and that the church should take care of widows that are really desolate and have no one to take care of them. This is a very precious ministry that churches should develop as part of their community out-reach.
Paul also writes about taking care of the ministers of God as far as financial compensation is concerned. He says in verse 17 that the elders that rule well should be counted worthy of double honor especially those whose work is teaching and preaching the word of God. There are different interpretations to the meaning of double honor but for me it means making sure that those that are employed by the church as pastors and elders are fully compensated financially to be able to give themselves entirely over to the work of leading the church and preaching and teaching the word of God without being in lack and having to get a job to make ends meet. If you have followed my teachings you understand that I have absolutely nothing against making your own money and being self-employed to take care of your own needs however the Bible teaches very clearly that fulltime elders should be compensated as the Lord Jesus also said that the worker is worthy of his wage.
When it comes to bringing discipline to elders that sin Paul says that you should not even receive an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those that are found guilty should be rebuked and held accountable. Spiritual leaders are to be the examples for the flock. If they fall in sin, thank God they can be forgiven and restored but they absolutely need to be held accountable and not allowed to go without correction.
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Widows should be taken care of by their children and show their devotion to God by taking care of their parents when they are in need.
2) The church should care of widows that have no one else to take care of them.
3) Pastors that do a good job leading the church preaching and teaching the word of God should be fully compensated financially so they can continue their precious work.
4) Be careful not to act quickly to bring discipline on an elder that is being accused of something unless it is coming from two or three witnesses and that should be carefully investigated.
5) Pastors and Elders that sin are to be held accountable and not allowed to continue in their ministry until they’re fully restored.
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association.
Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute.
Enroll free today! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll