1 Tim 5:1-16, Caring for Widows

• The theme
• Titus and Timothy are Pastoral letters
• These letters expound on church order not church doctrine
1. The greeting 1:1-2
• Not personal but rather formal -- emphasizes Paul's authority
2. Timothy's Mission 1:3-20
1. The task Timothy faced 1:3-11
2. Exhortations 1:12-20
3. Instructions concerning the life of the local church -- "order" (2:1-4:5)
1. The priority of prayer 2:1-7 -- It is good to pray -- we need prayer
2. The primary responsibilities (roles) of the men and women in church meetings (2:8-15)
1. The men have failed to take a spiritual leadership role
2. There is no argument on the capability of women, only where she should teach and lead
3. The qualifications for Church leaders -- Elders and Deacons 3:1-13
4. The nature of the local Church 3:14-16
5. The problem of apostasy in the Church 4:1-5
4. Instructions concerning leadership of the local Church 4:6-5:25
5. Instructions for groups within the church 6:1-19
6. Concluding charge and benediction 6:20-21


1 Timothy 5:1–2 (ESV) —
1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.


• We are obviously discussing a new topic, why this section? What is the purpose?
• In order to get control, you will need to confront people
• They are basic rules of interpersonal relationships that apply
• Towner wrote:
“As with an article of clothing, the church has its seams, created naturally by age differences, gender differences, economic differences and so on. These seams, where these various groups come together, often show visible signs of stress. It falls to the Christian leader to cross all these lines from time to time in order to minister effectively. But crossing these lines requires sensitivity and care."
• How do you treat a father differently than you would a brother?
• More direct with a brother
• Give honor for age
• Far from ignoring women, Paul challenges Timothy to address women as well


Schuller, 1985 (see Constable insert for 1 Tim 5:1-2)





• So while we may not be Pastors, each of us can learn from the instructions here
• The above is  complicated. Paul's instruction is much more simple
• Treat elders as you would your parents
• Treat younger as you would a close sibling


1 Timothy 5:3–8 (ESV) —
3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.


• Verse 3 makes it clear that widows are a priority for the church
• The only questions concern younger widows and those with children and grandchildren
• Starting with those having family, what do you see?
• There is an expectation that family provide for their grandmother and not put that burden upon the church
• Within those with children, there are those who live self-indulgently. There is no requirement to take care of those widows
• Finally, if you have family members, and they refuse, what does Paul say?
• You pretty much have denied the faith (are you really even a believer)
• Obviously, if they refuse, then the church would step in
• APPLICATION:
1. We have a clear responsibility to take care of widows within our family
2. The widow has a responsibility not to live for self
• Nothing is wrong with enjoying life but there is a difference between enjoying life and being self-indulgent
• A widow should be a prayer warrior
• A widow should not be a gossip or a busybody


1 Timothy 5:9–16 (ESV) —
9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.


• It appears that the Ephesian church had a special list of widows
• In fact, this list almost sounds like a special church pension for missionaries or other ministers
• Some commentators held this view. Constable did not
• It also seems to be independent of having family
• There are three qualifications to be on the list. What are they and why are they qualifications?
• One, she had to be older than 60.
• That doesn't sound very old
• Sixty years old in an agricultural community is a lot different than sixty years in an office environment, living in air conditioning, and having two children instead of seven
• Two, like elders and deacons she was required to be a one-man woman
• This does not exclude remarriage
• But it does include those who were unfaithful, promiscuous, and polyandrous
• Three, she has a reputation for good works (ergon meaning duty or also things done by hand). Paul give 5 example. What are they and why are they important?
1. Brought up children (good works in the home)
2. Shown hospitality (good works in the community)
3. Washed the feet of saints (humble service)
4. Cared for the afflicted (cared for the needy)
5. Devoted herself to every good work (lifetime of service)
• My personal opinion is that these woman had served well and should be honored by the church. I have no problem with a small pension for service for woman without husbands
• But younger widows should not be on this "list," why and why is the reason important?
• Refuse younger widows
• The passage is very difficult to understand. We know Paul encourages widows to remarry (vs 14), so we have at least two options
1. Possibly the "list" is some commitment to serve the church (possibly like a calling with compensation)
2. Possibly they might marry an unbeliever (desire for his protection over ministry calling)
• Additionally, there is a danger that younger widows will fall into multiple traps
• Gossips
• Idlers
• Busy-bodies
• Recommendation
• Remarry
• Bear children
• Manage household
• Give no occasion for Satan
• Idleness is a chance for Satan to abuse our gifts
• Work is good. Having purpose is good. The key is finding the right balance and place for service (whether you are a widow or not)
• Let woman take care of their own widows (don't center on your own widow-hood)


APPLICATION:
1. We have responsibilities to our families
2. Work is good and we need to fill our idleness with things that matter
1. May require a personal inventory
2. Projects that serve others
3. In our interpersonal communication, treat people with respect and appropriate for their age