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1 Timothy 5:1-25 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Rebuke G1969 not G3361 an elder, G4245 but G235 intreat G3870 him as G5613 a father; G3962 and the younger men G3501 as G5613 brethren; G80

2 The elder women G4245 as G5613 mothers; G3384 the younger G3501 as G5613 sisters, G79 with G1722 all G3956 purity. G47

3 Honour G5091 widows G5503 that are widows G5503 indeed. G3689

4 But G1161 if any G1536 widow G5503 have G2192 children G5043 or G2228 nephews, G1549 let them learn G3129 first G4412 to shew piety G2151 at home, G2398 G3624 and G2532 to requite G287 G591 their parents: G4269 for G1063 that G5124 is G2076 good G2570 and G2532 acceptable G587 before G1799 God. G2316

5 Now G1161 she that is a widow G5503 indeed, G3689 and G2532 desolate, G3443 trusteth G1679 in G1909 God, G2316 and G2532 continueth G4357 in supplications G1162 and G2532 prayers G4335 night G3571 and G2532 day. G2250

6 But G1161 she that liveth in pleasure G4684 is dead G2348 while she liveth. G2198

7 And G2532 these things G5023 give in charge, G3853 that G2443 they may be G5600 blameless. G423

8 But G1161 if any G1536 provide G4306 not G3756 for his own, G2398 and G2532 specially G3122 for those of his own house, G3609 he hath denied G720 the faith, G4102 and G2532 is G2076 worse than G5501 an infidel. G571

9 Let G2639 not G3361 a widow G5503 be taken into the number G2639 under G1640 threescore G1835 years old, G2094 having been G1096 the wife G1135 of one G1520 man, G435

10 Well reported of G3140 for G1722 good G2570 works; G2041 if G1487 she have brought up G5044 children, if G1487 she have lodged strangers, G3580 if G1487 she have washed G3538 the saints' G40 feet, G4228 if G1487 she have relieved G1884 the afflicted, G2346 if G1487 she have diligently followed G1872 every G3956 good G18 work. G2041

11 But G1161 the younger G3501 widows G5503 refuse: G3868 for G1063 when G3752 they have begun to wax wanton against G2691 Christ, G5547 they will G2309 marry; G1060

12 Having G2192 damnation, G2917 because G3754 they have cast off G114 their first G4413 faith. G4102

13 And G1161 G2532 withal G260 they learn G3129 to be idle, G692 wandering about G4022 from house to house; G3614 and G1161 not G3756 only G3440 idle, G692 but G235 tattlers G5397 also G2532 and G2532 busybodies, G4021 speaking G2980 things which G3588 they ought G1163 not. G3361

14 I will G1014 therefore G3767 that the younger women G3501 marry, G1060 bear children, G5041 guide the house, G3616 give G1325 none G3367 occasion G874 to the adversary G480 to G5484 speak reproachfully. G3059

15 For G1063 some G5100 are G1624 already G2235 turned aside G1624 after G3694 Satan. G4567

16 If any G1536 man G4103 or G2228 woman that believeth G4103 have G2192 widows, G5503 let them relieve G1884 them, G846 and G2532 let G916 not G3361 the church G1577 be charged; G916 that G2443 it may relieve G1884 them that are widows G5503 indeed. G3689

17 Let G515 the elders G4245 that rule G4291 well G2573 be counted worthy G515 of double G1362 honour, G5092 especially G3122 they who labour G2872 in G1722 the word G3056 and G2532 doctrine. G1319

18 For G1063 the scripture G1124 saith, G3004 Thou shalt G5392 not G3756 muzzle G5392 the ox G1016 that treadeth out the corn. G248 And, G2532 The labourer G2040 is worthy G514 of his G846 reward. G3408

19 Against G2596 an elder G4245 receive G3858 not G3361 an accusation, G2724 but G1508 G1622 before G1909 two G1417 or G2228 three G5140 witnesses. G3144

20 Them that sin G264 rebuke G1651 before G1799 all, G3956 that G2443 others G3062 also G2532 may G2192 fear. G5401

21 I charge G1263 thee before G1799 God, G2316 and G2532 the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 and G2532 the elect G1588 angels, G32 that G2443 thou observe G5442 these things G5023 without G5565 preferring one before another, G4299 doing G4160 nothing G3367 by G2596 partiality. G4346

22 Lay G2007 hands G5495 suddenly G5030 on G2007 no man, G3367 neither G3366 be partaker G2841 of other G245 men's sins: G266 keep G5083 thyself G4572 pure. G53

23 Drink G5202 no longer G3371 water, G5202 but G235 use G5530 a little G3641 wine G3631 for G1223 thy G4675 stomach's sake G4751 and G2532 thine G4675 often G4437 infirmities. G769

24 Some G5100 men's G444 sins G266 are G1526 open beforehand, G4271 going before G4254 to G1519 judgment; G2920 and G1161 G2532 some G5100 men they follow after. G1872

25 Likewise G5615 also G2532 the good G2570 works G2041 of some are G2076 manifest beforehand; G4271 and G2532 they that are G2192 otherwise G247 cannot G3756 G1410 be hid. G2928

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Timothy 5

Commentary on 1 Timothy 5 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 5

Here the apostle,

  • I. Directs Timothy how to reprove (v. 1, 2).
  • II. Adverts to widows, both elder and younger (v. 3-16).
  • III. To elders (v. 17-19).
  • IV. Treats of public reproof (v. 20).
  • V. Gives a solemn charge concerning ordination (v. 21, 22).
  • VI. Refers to his health (v. 23), and states men's sins to be very different in their effects (v. 24, 25).

1Ti 5:1-2

Here the apostle gives rules to Timothy, and in him to other ministers, in reproving. Ministers are reprovers by office; it is a part, though the least pleasing part, of their office; they are to preach the word, to reprove and rebuke, 2 Tim. 4:2. A great difference is to be made in our reproofs, according to the age, quality, and other circumstances, of the persons rebuked; thus, and elder in age or office must be entreated as a father; on some have compassion, making a difference, Jude 22. Now the rule is,

  • 1. To be very tender in rebuking elders-elders in age, elders by office. Respect must be had to the dignity of their years and place, and therefore they must not be rebuked sharply nor magisterially; but Timothy himself, though an evangelist, must entreat them as fathers, for this would be the likeliest way to work upon them, and to win upon them.
  • 2. The younger must be rebuked as brethren, with love and tenderness; not as desirous, to spy faults or pick quarrels, but as being willing to make the best of them. There is need of a great deal of meekness in reproving those who deserve reproof.
  • 3. The elder women must be reproved, when there is occasion, as mothers. Hos. 2:2, Plead with your mother, plead.
  • 4. The younger women must be reproved, but reproved as sisters, with all purity. If Timothy, so mortified a man to this world and to the flesh and lusts of it, had need of such a caution as this, much more have we.

1Ti 5:3-16

Directions are here given concerning the taking of widows into the number of those who were employed by the church and had maintenance from the church: Honour widows that are widows indeed. Honour them, that is, maintain them, admit them into office. There was in those times an office in the church in which widows were employed, and that was to tend the sick and the aged, to look to them by the direction of the deacons. We read of the care taken of widows immediately upon the first forming of the Christian church (Acts 6:1), where the Grecians thought their widows were neglected in the daily ministration and provision made for poor widows. The general rule is to honour widows that are widows indeed, to maintain them, to relieve them with respect and tenderness.

  • I. It is appointed that those widows only should be relieved by the charity of the church who were pious and devout, and not wanton widows that lived in pleasure, v. 5, 6. She is to be reckoned a widow indeed, and it to be maintained at the church's charge, who, being desolate, trusteth in God. Observe, It is the duty and comfort of those who are desolate to trust in God. Therefore God sometimes brings his people into such straits that they have nothing else to trust to, that they may with more confidence trust in him. Widowhood is a desolate estate; but let the widows trust in me (Jer. 49:11), and rejoice that they have a God to trust to. Again, Those who trust in God must continue in prayer. If by faith we confide in God, by prayer we must give glory to God and commit ourselves to his guidance. Anna was a widow indeed, who departed not from the temple (Lu. 2:37), but served God with fasting and prayer night and day. But she is not a widow indeed that lives in pleasure (v. 6), or who lives licentiously. A jovial widow is not a widow indeed, not fit to be taken under the care of the church. She that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives, is no living member of the church, but as a carcase in it, or a mortified member. We may apply it more generally; those who live in pleasure are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses and sins; they are in the world to no purpose, buried alive as to the great ends of living.
  • II. Another rule he gives is that the church should not be charged with the maintenance of those widows who had relations of their own that were able to maintain them. This is mentioned several times (v. 4): If any widow have children or nephews, that is grandchildren or near relations, let them maintain them, and let not the church be burdened. So v. 16. This is called showing piety at home (v. 4), or showing piety towards their own families. Observe, The respect of children to their parents, with their care of them, is fitly called piety. This is requiting their parents. Children can never sufficiently requite their parents for the care they have taken of them, and the pains they have taken with them; but they must endeavour to do it. It is the indispensable duty of children, if their parents be in necessity, and they in ability to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power, for this is good and acceptable before God. The Pharisees taught that a gift to the altar was more acceptable to God than relieving a poor parent, Mt. 15:5. But here we are told that this is better than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices; this is good and acceptable, etc. He speaks of this again (v. 8), If any provide not for his own, etc. If any men or women do not maintain their own poor relations who belong to them, they do in effect deny the faith; for the design of Christ was to confirm the law of Moses, and particularly the law of the fifth commandment, which is, Honour thy father and mother; so that those deny the faith who disobey that law, much more if they provide not for their wives and children, who are parts of themselves; if they spend that upon their lusts which should maintain their families, they have denied the faith and are worse than infidels. One reason why this care must be taken that those who are rich should maintain their poor relations, and not burden the church with them is (v. 16) that it may relieve those who are widows indeed. Observe, Charity misplaced is a great hindrance to true charity; there should be prudence in the choice of the objects of charity, that it may not be thrown away upon those who are not properly so, that there may be the more for those who are real objects of charity.
  • III. He gives directions concerning the characters of the widows that were to be taken into the number to receive the church's charity: not under sixty years old, nor any who have divorced their husbands or been divorced from them and have married again; she must have been the wife of one man, such as had been a housekeeper, had a good name for hospitality and charity, well reported of for good works. Observe, Particular care ought to be taken to relieve those, when they fall into decay, who, when they had wherewithal, were ready to every good work. Here are instances of such good works as are proper to be done by good wives: If she have brought up children: he does not say, If she have borne children (children are a heritage of the Lord), that depends on the will of God; but, if she had not children of her own, yet if she had brought up children. If she have lodged strangers, and washed the saints' feet; if she have been ready to give entertainment to good Christians and good ministers, when they were in their travels for the spreading of the gospel. Washing of the feet o their friends was a part of their entertainments. If she have relieved the afflicted when she had ability, let her be relieved now. Observe, Those who would find mercy when they are in distress must show mercy when they are in prosperity.
  • IV. He cautions them to take heed of admitting into the number those who are likely to be no credit to them (v. 11): The younger widows refuse: they will be weary of their employments in the church, and of living by rule, as they must do; so they will marry, and cast off their first faith. You read of a first love (Rev. 2:4), and here of a first faith, that is, the engagements they gave to the church to behave well, and as became the trust reposed in them: it does not appear that by their first faith is meant their vow not to marry, for the scripture is very silent on that head; besides the apostle here advises the younger widows to marry (v. 14), which he would not if hereby they must have broken their vows. Dr. Whitby well observes, "If this faith referred to a promise made to the church not to marry, it could not be called their first faith.' Withal they learn to be idle, and not only idle, but tattlers, etc., v. 13. Observe, It is seldom that those who are idle are idle only, they learn to be tattlers and busy-bodies, and to make mischief among neighbours, and sow discord among brethren. Those who had not attained to such a gravity of mind as was fit for the deaconesses (or the widows who were taken among the church's poor), let them marry, bear children, etc., v. 14. Observe, If housekeepers do not mind their business, but are tattlers, they give occasion to the adversaries of Christianity to reproach the Christian name, which, it seems, there were some instances of, v. 15. We learn hence,
    • 1. In the primitive church there was care taken of poor widows, and provision made for them; and the churches of Christ in these days should follow so good an example, as far as they are able.
    • 2. In the distribution of the church's charity, or alms, great care is to be taken that those share in the public bounty who most want it and best deserve it. A widow was not to be taken into the primitive church that had relations who were able to maintain her, or who was not well reported of for good works, but lived in pleasure: But the younger widows refuse, for, when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry.
    • 3. The credit of religion, and the reputation of Christian churches, are very much concerned in the character and behaviour of those that are taken into any employment in the church, though of a lower nature (such as the business of deaconesses), or that receive alms of the church; if they do not behave well, but are tatlers and busy-bodies, they will give occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
    • 4. Christianity obliges its professors to relieve their indigent friends, particularly poor widows, that the church may not be charged with them, that it may relieve those that are widows indeed: rich people should be ashamed to burden the church with their poor relations, when it is with difficulty that those are supplied who have no children or nephews, that is, grand-children, who are in a capacity to relieve them.

1Ti 5:17-25

Here are directions,

  • I. Concerning the supporting of ministers. Care must be taken that they be honourably maintained (v. 17): Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour (that is, of double maintenance, double to what they have had, or to what others have), especially those who labour in the word and doctrine, those who are more laborious than others. Observe, The presbytery ruled, and the same that ruled were those who laboured in the word and doctrine: they had not one to preach to them and another to rule them, but the work was done by one and the same person. Some have imagined that by the elders that rule well the apostle means lay-elders, who were employed in ruling but not in teaching, who were concerned in church-government, but did not meddle with the administration of the word and sacraments; and I confess this is the plainest text of scripture that can be found to countenance such an opinion. But it seem a little strange that mere ruling elders should be accounted worthy of double honour, when the apostle preferred preaching to baptizing, and much more would he prefer it to ruling the church; and it is more strange that the apostle should take no notice of them when he treats of church-officers; but, as it is hinted before, they had not, in the primitive church, one to preach to them and another to rule them, but ruling and teaching were performed by the same persons, only some might labour more in the word and doctrine than others. Here we have,
    • 1. The work of ministers; it consists principally in two things: ruling well and labouring in the word and doctrine. This was the main business of elders or presbyters in the days of the apostles.
    • 2. The honour due to those who were not idle, but laborious in this work; they were worthy of double honour, esteem, and maintenance. He quotes a scripture to confirm this command concerning the maintenance of ministers that we might think foreign; but it intimates what a significancy there was in many of the laws of Moses, and particularly in this, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn, Deu. 25:4. The beasts that were employed in treading out the corn (for that way they took instead of threshing it) were allowed to feed while they did the work, so that the more work they did the more food they had; therefore let the elders that labour in the word and doctrine be well provided for; for the labourer is worthy of his reward (Mt. 10:10), and there is all the reason in the world that he should have it. We hence learn,
      • (1.) God, both under the law, and now under the gospel, has taken care that his ministers be well provided for. Does God take care for oxen, and will he not take care of his own servants? The ox only treads out the corn of which they make the bread that perishes; but ministers break the bread of life which endures for ever.
      • (2.) The comfortable subsistence of ministers, as it is God's appointment that those who preach the gospel should live of the gospel (1 Co. 9:14), so it is their just due, as much as the reward of the labourer; and those who would have ministers starved, or not comfortably provided for, God will require it of them another day.
  • II. Concerning the accusation of ministers (v. 19): Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Here is the scripture-method of proceeding against an elder, when accused of any crime. Observe,
    • 1. There must be an accusation; it must not be a flying uncertain report, but an accusation, containing a certain charge, must be drawn up. Further, He is not to be proceeded against by way of enquiry; this is according to the modern practice of the inquisition, which draws up articles for men to purge themselves of such crimes, or else to accuse themselves; but, according to the advice of Paul, there must be an accusation brought against an elder.
    • 2. This accusation is not to be received unless supported by two or three credible witnesses; and the accusation must be received before them, that is, the accused must have the accusers face to face, because the reputation of a minister is, in a particular manner, a tender thing; and therefore, before any thing be done in the least to blemish that reputation, great care should be taken that the thing alleged against him be well proved, that he be not reproached upon an uncertain surmise; "but (v. 20) those that sin rebuke before all; that is, thou needest not be so tender of other people, but rebuke them publicly.' Or "those that sin before all rebuke before all, that the plaster may be as wide as the wound, and that those who are in danger of sinning by the example of their fall may take warning by the rebuke given them for it, that others also may fear.' Observe,
      • (1.) Public scandalous sinners must be rebuked publicly: as their sin has been public, and committed before many, or at least come to the hearing of all, so their reproof must be public, and before all.
      • (2.) Public rebuke is designed for the good of others, that they may fear, as well as for the good of the party rebuked; hence it was ordered under the law that public offenders should receive public punishment, that all Israel might hear, and fear, and do no more wickedly.
  • III. Concerning the ordination of ministers (v. 22): Lay hands suddenly on no man; it seems to be meant of the ordaining of men to the office of the ministry, which ought not to be done rashly and inconsiderately, and before due trial made of their gifts and graces, their abilities and qualifications for it. Some understand it of absolution: "Be not too hasty in laying hands on any; remit not the censure of the church to any, till time be first taken for the proof of their sincerity in their repentance, neither be partakers of other men's sins, implying that those who are too easy in remitting the censures of the church encourage others in the sins which are thus connived at, and make themselves thereby guilty.' Observe, We have great need to watch over ourselves at all times, that we do not make ourselves partakers of other men's sins. "Keep thyself pure, not only from doing the like thyself, but from countenancing it, or being any way accessary to it, in others.' Here is,
    • 1. A caution against the rash ordination of ministers, or absolution of those who have been under church-censures: Lay hands suddenly on no man.
    • 2. Those who are rash, either in the one case or the other, will make themselves partakers in other men's sins.
    • 3. We must keep ourselves pure, if we will be pure; the grace of God makes and keeps us pure, but it is by our own endeavours.
  • IV. Concerning absolution, to which v. 24, 25, seem to refer: Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment, and some follow after, etc. Observe, Ministers have need of a great deal of wisdom, to know how to accommodate themselves to the variety of offences and offenders that they have occasion to deal with. Some men's sins are so plain and obvious, and not found by secret search, that there is no dispute concerning the bringing of them under the censures of the church; they go before to judgment, to lead them to censure.-Others they follow after; that is, their wickedness does not presently appear, nor till after a due search has been made concerning it. Or, as some understand it, some men's sins continue after they are censured; they are not reformed by the censure, and in that case there must be no absolution. So, also, as to the evidences of repentance: The good works of some are manifest beforehand. And those that are otherwise, whose good works do not appear, their wickedness cannot be hid, and so it will be easy to discern who are to be absolved, and who are not. Observe,
    • 1. There are secret, and there are open sins; some men's sins are open beforehand, and going unto judgment, and some they follow after.
    • 2. Sinners must be differently dealt with by the church.
    • 3. The effects of church-censures are very different; some are thereby humbled and brought to repentance, so that their good works are manifest beforehand, while it is quite otherwise with others.
    • 4. The incorrigible cannot be hid; for God will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of all hearts.
  • V. Concerning Timothy himself.
    • 1. Here is a charge to him to be careful of his office; and a solemn charge it is: I charge thee before God, as thou wilt answer it to God before the holy and elect angels, observe these things without partiality, v. 21. Observe, It ill becomes ministers to be partial, and to have respect of persons, and to prefer one before another upon any secular account. He charges him, by all that is dear, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, to guard against partiality. Ministers must give an account to God and the Lord Jesus Christ, whether, and how, they have observed all things given them in charge: and woe to them if they have been partial in their ministrations, out of an worldly politic view.
    • 2. He charges him to take care of his health: Drink no longer water, etc. It seems Timothy was a mortified man to the pleasures of sense; he drank water, and he was a man of no strong constitution of body, and for this reason Paul advises him to use wine for the helping of his stomach and the recruiting of his nature. Observe, It is a little wine, for ministers must not be given to much wine; so much as may be for the health of the body, not so as to distemper it, for God has made wine to rejoice man's heart. Note,
      • (1.) It is the will of God that people should take all due care of their bodies. As we are not to make them our masters, so neither our slaves; but to use them so that they may be most fit and helpful to us in the service of God.
      • (2.) Wine is most proper for sickly and weak people, whose stomachs are often out of order, and who labour under infirmities. Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts, Prov. 31:6.
      • (3.) Wine should be used as a help, and not a hindrance, to our work and usefulness.