SCRIPTURE: 1Tim 5:1-15 1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is wgrse than an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good wgrks; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good wgrk. 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide t he house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

MEMORY VERSE: 1Tim 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

This book was written to tell Timothy how to administrate a church.

ILLUS: We teach a course in the College called "Pastoral Theology". This course is designed to teach a young preacher how to administrate a church. This course is designed to teach a young preacher how to handle problems within the church. This course is designed to teach a young preacher how to be a good business manager of the church. This course is designed to teach a young preacher how to diplomatically handle situations that are touchy...and there are some. This course is designed so that a young preacher can go out from the College and begin a new work, know how to handle things, and how to "run the church".

This is what Paul is giving Timothy. This is a course of "Pastoral Theology".

Chapter 1 dealt with false teaching in the church. Chapter 2 dealt with conduct to public prayer meetings in the church. Chapter 3 dealt with the conditions of the officers of the church. Chapter 4, Paul gives specific instructions as to false doctrine and how to deal with it. He presents the negative side. Then he presents the positive side.

In this latter part of the chapter, Paul is exhorting... Timothy...let no man despise thy youth. Timothy...live so that you can command their respect. Timothy...live right, study hard, exhort the people, teach doctrine. Timothy...do not neglect the give that God gave you.

Then Paul admonishes Timothy.... To take heed to himself...that is number 1. Then to continue the things he has laid out, and this would be the means of saving his life, his testimony, and his ministry.

VERSES 1,2 1Tim 5:1-2 1 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Paul is now addressing the duty toward the spiritual members of the family, and how to treat them. The family of God is described many ways: Soldiers in the army.... Limbs in the body.... Competitors in the race.... Servants in the household... Singers in the choir.... Branches in the vine..... The most frequent is MEMBERS IN THE FAMILY.... "I’m so glad to be a part of the family of God..."

Every real Christian is a child of the Father, and is consequently related to all other children. That fact....should govern our behavior towards all our fellows in Christ.

"Rebuke not an elder" This is used here... not to denote a church official as such... This has to do with age...not position. The context tells us that ...since the matter of age is preeminent in the passage.

Whoever has charge of a church will sometimes see in the conduct of old men, old women, young men and young women things that are not exactly right,....then the young pastor will wonder how to handle these situations. Paul leaves no doubt.

DO NOT REPRIMAND....appeal to the elderly as a father or mother. Deal with the young men as brothers...the young women as sisters.

The young preacher, perhaps not much more than a boy, who gets up into the pulpit with the air of a lord and hurls thunderbolts, knocking down an old man here, and old woman there, and young man here, and a young woman there.....HAD JUST AS WELL QUIT .

This DOES NOT MEAN he is to be silent when wrong exists. There is a better way than taking a club to people. There is a right way to do things. There is an honorable way to handle situations. The pastor should never give the idea that he is a dictator.

The word "rebuke" means "to strike upon, to beat upon, to chastise with words, to chide, to upbraid, to treat harshly". Respect for age must temper the expression of reproof of an old man’s misdemeanors.

The word "interest" means "to beg, beseech..."

In my generation, my parents taught us to respect our elders. We

called men "Mr." and women "Mrs." We never called older people by

their first names. We never called the preacher by his first name...a

gesture of respect and honor for the position be held. We said, "Sir"

and "Mam" to our elders. We never spoke roughly or harshly to

them...regardless. And...even at home we were never allowed to use

expressions such as "old man Jones...etc"

Paul is using this same type of instruction with spiritual interests.

"with all purity" Paul knew the danger that would beset a young minister of the gospel when it was his duty to admonish and entreat a young woman... Paul was aware of the scandal that could follow. He was therefore to "guard his heart"....to exercise more than common vigilance...to indulge in no word, look, or action which could be construed as manifesting an improper state of feeling.

No where else does a pastor need more grace, the exercise of prudence, and the manifestation of the incorruptible integrity, than in the performance of this duty. If a young preacher fails here...he can never recover...and will never be free of suspicion.

In our generation, so many pastgrs, young and old, seem to fall at this point. The modern so-called "counseling ministry" has created problems. The trend of the age... The familiarity between the sexes... The looseness with which people talk and set. .. All of this combines to bring temptation...and in many cases catastrophe to pastors and churches. The list grows daily. The preachers that have made ship wreck of their lives are many. Churches now harbor preachers with moral problems in their lives and in their past that would have run them out of town a few years ago. PASTORS need to know how to handle these situations.

VERSES 2-8 1Tim 5:2-8 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parent s: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

These verses deal with widows supported by the church-ŠQ.

Moses’ law, in Deuteronomy, is very broad concerning the caring for widows and orphans... in Acts 6 we have the first church history on the subject.

When they had things in common:

NOTE: This was NOT God’s will for these people. God did not instruct nor command such an action-ŠQ.y did it...and lived to regret it. It was not the right thing to do. If such a system could work...it should work within a Christian community. But... it did not work then...and will not work now.

They sold these common possessions-ŠQ.y turned the money into a common fund. This was distributed daily. But a complaint arose among the Hellenist Jews that their widows were being neglected.... IT WAS A CRY OF DISCRIMINATION. We have heard that recently concerning the test for teachers. We have heard that recently concerning the "no pass - no play".

First of all... This deals with ONLY members of the church.

We have scores of people...every year...sometimes every week-ŠQ.y are on the road, car trouble, ran out of gas. They have no food. They need clothes. They need someone to pay their rent-ŠQ.y are being evicted out of their apartment-ŠQ.y need an old pair of tennis shoes. And on and on, the needs are given. What is our responsibility? We really do not have a church responsibility toward those people. As an individual...we might have some human responsibility. But the church really does not have a responsibility.

The church does have a responsibility toward its members...in some cases.

"What women are entitled to be supported by the church?" "Honor widows that are widows indeed?" Who are the widows indeed?

1. Not one who has children or "nephews"...grandchildren...who are able to take care of her. If they allow older people to suffer to or to become a burden to the church...they lack piety.

NOTE: In a community like Ephesus, where the number of Christians was so vast, and where there were so many poor people...the list of people who wanted help would be great-ŠIt was necessary in order not to over-burden the church, not to allow any per son (widow) to be supported by the church so long as there were those in the family that could do so.

Verse 16 says... If there were others who could take care of the widows, then let them do so that the church not be over-burdened. 1Tim 5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Anyone who does not anticipate the needs of his own and provide for them, and especially for those of his own household... He has denied the faith... He is worse than an unbeliever... Faith without works is dead. By refusing natural duties which Christian faith implies, one practically denies his pofession of faith. "Faith does not abolish natural duties, but perfects and strengthens them." Unbelievers perform those same duties without prompting-ŠQ. infidel...the unbeliever...has natural affections. The Christian that falls beneath the best heathen standard of family affection is more worthy, since he has what the heathen does not have...the supreme example of love in Jesus Christ.

2. A further restriction is in age... She must be 60 years of age in order to receive help from the church. Women under that age would probably be able to care for themselves. This does not say if it includes the blind or crippled. Paul is discussing a general rule of charity.

3. She must have a good record. She must have been the wife of one man...not a polygamist she must have done good works. Must have brought her children up right. Must have been hospitable to strangers. have been humble in life. IN OTHER WORDS..she must have helped others to be worthy of help.

4. Spiritually she must be a genuine Christian. She must be all alone...desolate. She must have no relatives. She must have no property. She must have faith in God. She must devote the rest of her life to prayers and supplications.

VERSES 9-16 1Tim 5:9-16 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not-Š14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

THOSE NOT TO BE ADMITTED... The rules for inclusion were stringent... The rules for exclusion were not less strong-ŠQ. "younger widows" they were to refuse-ŠQ.y, in the emotion of grief might decide to dedicate themselves to Christ. But...then their desire for Christ’s service may cool down. They wax wanton...with sexual desire...a desire to marry again... Nothing wrong with marriage...but they leave their first faith. They no longer dedicated to the Lord.

Not only so, in their restlessness...they become tattlers and busybodies....idling their time away-ŠQ.y need to marry again, settle down, bear children-ŠQ.is would be a good thing...the adversary could not bring reproach against them.

Paul adds... Some have already turned aside. Some have allowed Satan to control their lives.

Now Paul gives instructions for the FINANCIAL CARE of the elders or pastors. This is a very vital part of how to administrate a church. This is a part of the PASTORAL THEOLOGY-ŠQ.is is for Timothy’s instruction as well as the instruction of the church.

NOTE: There are so many people who have varying ideas about the pastor and money.

ILLUS: When I came here they felt that a preacher should not have a salary. He was to live by faith. They gave him what they wanted to give him-ŠQ.en, the treasurer would decide that the preacher didn’t need that much, and she should put his money in to another account.

You understand that I was naive. You understand that I was "young and inexperienced." I did not know what Paul told Timothy. I was glad for a place to preach and anything they gave me I was more than glad to receive. Don’t make waves.

But churches need to know how to take care of their pastors, financially-ŠQ.ey need to meet his needs...and more than meet his needs.

"Let the elders that rule well" The word "rule" means "to be over". "to superintend", to preside over". It has the idea of "governing." It has the idea of administering-ŠIt is really the business manager side of the ministry-ŠQ. pastor is to take the leadership of the church, and if he does a good job...he rules well.

This does not mean that he is dictatorial-ŠQ.is means that he is a good shepherd of the sheep... Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

He manages the spiritual interests of the church well. He presides over the church well. He performs his duties well.

"be counted worthy of double honor" "Honor" is "time" which includes monetary remuneration for services-ŠQ.e word ‘time’ is use for the word "pay" or "price". Matt 27:6,9 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

Act 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as

were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices

of the things that were sold,

Act 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.

1CO 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

IF the elder "rules" governs, administrate well..he is to receive "double time" or "double pay".

"especially they who labor in the wgrd and doctrine" This is especially true of those who teach and preach also-ŠQ.is is especially true of those who spend their time teaching. This is especially true of those who give themselves to the Word. PAUL ANSWERS WHY? "For the scripture saith" Paul bases his argument on the Word of God. He has biblical authority for his statement. He has God’s decree to back him up. 1CO 9:8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

"Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn." If God took care of the laboring ox.... How much better care will God take of His elders-ŠQ.e elder is better than the sheep or the ox. God wants His servants well cared for.

"And, the laborer is wgrthy of his reward." Matt 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the wgrkman is wgrthy of his meat.

Lu 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

We feel this is true in other walks of life. It is certainly true in the ministry.

NOTE: Preachers...elders...bishops...whatever you desire to call them. They, like other professional people such as doctors, etc...are always on call-ŠQ.ey really never have time to call their own-ŠQ.ey spend many, many hours each day in service for Christ-ŠQ.ey give the church far more for their dollar in most cases than any other laborer gives his employer. Many times 7 days a week...16 to 18 hours per day.

Admittedly, There are deadbeats in the ministry-ŠQ.re are deadbeats

in all walks of life. There are men in the ministry that take

advantage of their people.. But there are people in every walk of life

that take advantage of people-ŠQ.ere are people in the ministry that

use it for their own selfish desires-ŠBut there are people in every

walk of life that use their profession for their own selfish desires-

BUT...THE GREATER PERCENTAGE are good, honest, upright, dedicated servants of Jesus Christ-ŠQ.ey are more concerned about their people than themselves-ŠQ.ey are more concerned about their churches than they are about the financial position of themselves-ŠQ.ey are willing to give and to spend in order for the church to progress. God give us more like them.

VERSE 19 1TIM 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Do not receive a formal accusation before a tribunal except it be upon the authority of two or three who bear testimony.

If this were followed it would solve a lot of problems in our churches. It is easy for one man to say to another man..."I want to tell you something about the preacher." If is far more difficult to have proof of that face and present it before two or three witnesses.

We should never condemn a pastor on circumstantial evidence. We should never condemn a man on "hear-say".

Paul is desirous of protecting the character of the preacher. it is of extreme value. Not only is the preacher’s testimony at stake. It is the testimony of the entire church.

When a preacher messes up... It not only affects him, his family, and his close circle of friends, It affects his entire church. It not only affects his church, it affects every other church. SO.... Paul is careful, and wants us to be careful in this matter of accusing preachers without witnesses.

ILLUS: A preacher came to see me once about another preacher. he had circumstantial evidence. I said, "Let’s call the man in and talk to him." We called the preacher in...he was able to explain the situation to the satisfaction of the other preacher. We had prayer together...the problem was solved. how much better than bringing it before the church.

The character of the preacher is to be protected. The character of the preacher is to be guarded.

MIND YOU... If the preacher is guilty...he should be exposed. If the preacher is guilty...the church should take the necessary action-ŠO a preacher is not "untouchable".

ILLUS: I know a situation where the preacher was guilty, and admitted the immoral incident, and then told his people..."I am God’s servant, I am God’s anointed, and you are not to touch God’s anointed...and if you do God’s judgment will fall on you. he gave some examples where God’s judgement seemingly fell on some who tried to vote a preacher out. He scared his people. They voted to keep him in spite of his admitted immorality. it was an immorality that involved members of the church. It was no t something that happened in the dim, dark past, before he got into full-time Christian service...but something that happened while he was pastoring.

IF you have the two or three witnesses, you can and should receive an accusation.

VERSE 20 1TIM 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

I take it that he is still talking about the preacher. If a minister of the gospel has been proved to be guilty... The honor of Christianity, as well as simple justice, requires that he should be rebuked. He sins against great light. He prostitutes a high office. He makes use of the very reputation which his office gives him, that he may betray the confidence of others.

"Them that sin" They have been identified as having sinned-ŠQ.e witnesses brought charges that were true. These were not trumped up charges...but they had the proof.

"rebuke before all" This means to reprove before the whole church.

This means that a public statement is to be made. "that others may fear" This might keep some one else from committing the same sin-ŠQ.is might strike fear in the heart of another. it might help to keep other preachers honest and pure. If a man knows that his sin is going to be exposed publicly, he might be more chaste in his life.

VERSE 21 1TIM 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

What an admonition. Paul places this charge in a tremendous setting. Timothy is charged before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels. What a tribunal-ŠQ.is includes all heaven.

"that thou observe these things" Timothy is to do what Paul has said. He is to do it without regard to rank, wealth, personal friendship, or prejudgment-ŠQ.is is to be complete impartiality. In the affairs of the administration of a church, the past or needs to remember that all brethren, regardless of rank, wealth or position have equal rights. We are not to protect one and condemn another. We are not to condone sin in one man and expose it to another. We are not to overlook sin in some people and reveal it in others.

VERSE 22 1TIM 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

"Lay hands suddenly on no man" This has to do with ordination-ŠQ.ey were not to suddenly ordain a man without first having tried and tested him. Timothy was not to be hasty in introducing men to the ministry. He was to have evidence of their satisfactory qualifications. This could also mean: They were not to accuse a man suddenly without positive proof or without the proper witnesses. They were not to destroy a man without proper information.

"neither be partaker of other men’s sins" He was not to participate in other men’s sins of laying hands suddenly on others. Timothy was not to follow the crowd. He was to know what he was doing...do what he knew was right regardless of others.

"keep theyself pure" Go without reproach in these matters. Be sincere. Timothy had a sacred trust...the ministry. He was to keep pure morally. He was to keep pure practically. He was to keep pure in word, as well as in deed. PURITY is a real need in the ministry.

VERSE 23 1TIM 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

The word is "oinos"...it means the fruit of the vine. It is the same word used for "wine" throughout the N.T. It is used here in a medicinal form-ŠQ.ey used wine for remedial agents in case of sickness.

Paul is not telling Timothy to use wine for a beverage-ŠQimothy had a health problem...perhaps ulcers. It might have been a nervous stomach brought on by timidity. He was not to endanger his health by drinking "bad" water. Wine, as a medicine, would be helpful to his stomach.

Paul stipulated "a little"....not a whole lot.

VERSES 24,25 1 TIim 5:24-25 24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Let us paraphrase. Some candidates for ordination have characters so evidently bad that their unfitness is plain before probation...in others it comes out later. And the same may be said of worthy candidates, some are plainly fit at first sight, others will be found fit on looking below the surface.

That seems to be a justifiable interpretation.

It is essential that leaders in a church be wisely and rightly chosen. Those who make the choice need spiritual discernment-ŠQhey need what James 1:5 talks about..."If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God..." JA 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.