1 Timothy 5

This is the fifth chapter of 1 Timothy. In chapter 4, Paul warned against false teaching and urged Timothy to be an example to the believers. In this chapter he gives specific instructions on how to treat various people within the church.

Outline

• Verses 1–2 Timothy is to treat older men as fathers, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with all purity.
• Verses 3–8 Timothy is to honor those who are "widows indeed," that is, widows with no family to rely on. A widow who has children or grandchildren should be cared for by them first, and anyone who does not provide for his own family is said to have denied the faith.
• Verses 9–16 Paul lists the qualifications for a widow to be enrolled: she must be at least sixty years old, must have been the wife of one husband, and must have a reputation for good works. Younger widows are not to be enrolled but should remarry, and a believing woman is to assist her widowed relatives directly so that the church is relieved of the burden.
• Verses 17–22 Elders who rule well are to be counted worthy of double honor. An accusation against an elder is to be received only on the testimony of two or three witnesses, and Timothy is not to lay hands hastily on anyone.
• Verses 23–25 Paul advises Timothy to use a little wine for the sake of his stomach and his frequent illnesses. He then states that both sins and good works eventually come to light.

Key Verses

• 1 Timothy 5:8 "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith": This verse treats providing for one's family as a matter of faith.
• 1 Timothy 5:17 "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour": This verse is cited in discussions of the office of elder and the compensation of ministers.

People and Places

• Timothy: Paul's coworker and the recipient of the letter, who is to carry out the instructions of this chapter in the church.
• Widows indeed: Widows who cannot receive support from their families and are therefore cared for by the church.

Points for Reflection

• Verse 17 singles out elders "who labour in the word and doctrine." Presbyterians read this verse as grounds for distinguishing ruling elders from teaching elders (pastors). Baptist and Congregationalist traditions often regard elders and pastors as a single office.
• Verse 18 cites as Scripture both the command concerning the ox in Deuteronomy 25 and the saying "the labourer is worthy of his hire" from Luke 10 (Luke 10:7). The principle of two or three witnesses in verse 19 is connected to Deuteronomy 19:15.
• Views differ on the enrollment of widows in verse 9. Some see it as an order of widows that existed in the early church, while others see it as a list of those receiving relief.
• The laying on of hands in verse 22 is generally interpreted as appointment to office. Others interpret it as the laying on of hands to restore those who have sinned.
• In discussions of drinking, verse 23 is sometimes read as grounds for permitting alcohol in moderation and sometimes as advice limited to medicinal use.

In the Korean Church

Verse 17 is often used as a sermon text at elder ordination services. Verse 23 is frequently raised in debates over the Korean church's tradition of abstinence from alcohol.