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1 Timothy 5:21 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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

Cross Reference

2 Timothy 4:1 STRONG

I G1473 charge G1263 thee therefore G3767 before G1799 God, G2316 and G2532 the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 who G3588 shall G3195 judge G2919 the quick G2198 and G2532 the dead G3498 at G2596 his G846 appearing G2015 and G2532 his G846 kingdom; G932

1 Timothy 6:13 STRONG

I give G3853 thee G4671 charge G3853 in the sight G1799 of God, G2316 who G3588 quickeneth G2227 all things, G3956 and G2532 before Christ G5547 Jesus, G2424 who G3588 before G1909 Pontius G4194 Pilate G4091 witnessed G3140 a good G2570 confession; G3671

Jude 1:6 STRONG

And G5037 the angels G32 which kept G5083 not G3361 their G1438 first estate, G746 but G235 left G620 their own G2398 habitation, G3613 he hath reserved G5083 in everlasting G126 chains G1199 under G5259 darkness G2217 unto G1519 the judgment G2920 of the great G3173 day. G2250

2 Peter 2:4 STRONG

For G1063 if G1487 God G2316 spared G5339 not G3756 the angels G32 that sinned, G264 but G235 cast them down to hell, G5020 and delivered G3860 them into chains G4577 of darkness, G2217 to be reserved G5083 unto G1519 judgment; G2920

2 Timothy 2:14 STRONG

Of these things G5023 put them in remembrance, G5279 charging G1263 them before G1799 the Lord G2962 that they strive G3054 not G3361 about words G3054 to G1519 no G3762 profit, G5539 but to G1909 the subverting G2692 of the hearers. G191

James 2:1-4 STRONG

My G3450 brethren, G80 have G2192 not G3361 the faith G4102 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 the Lord of glory, G1391 with G1722 respect of persons. G4382 For G1063 if G1437 there come G1525 unto G1519 your G5216 assembly G4864 a man G435 with a gold ring, G5554 in G1722 goodly G2986 apparel, G2066 and G1161 there come in G1525 also G2532 a poor man G4434 in G1722 vile G4508 raiment; G2066 And G2532 ye have respect G1914 to G1909 him that weareth G5409 the gay G2986 clothing, G2066 and G2532 say G2036 unto him, G846 Sit G2521 thou G4771 here G5602 in a good place; G2573 and G2532 say G2036 to the poor, G4434 Stand G2476 thou G4771 there, G1563 or G2228 sit G2521 here G5602 under G5259 my G3450 footstool: G5286 Are ye G1252 not G3756 then G2532 partial G1252 in G1722 yourselves, G1438 and G2532 are become G1096 judges G2923 of evil G4190 thoughts? G1261

2 Corinthians 5:16 STRONG

Wherefore G5620 henceforth G575 G3568 know G1492 we G2249 no man G3762 after G2596 the flesh: G4561 yea, G1161 though G1499 we have known G1097 Christ G5547 after G2596 the flesh, G4561 yet G235 now G3568 henceforth G3765 know we G1097 him no more. G3765

Matthew 25:41 STRONG

Then G5119 shall he say G2046 also G2532 unto them on G1537 the left hand, G2176 Depart G4198 from G575 me, G1700 ye cursed, G2672 into G1519 everlasting G166 fire, G4442 prepared G2090 for the devil G1228 and G2532 his G846 angels: G32

1 Thessalonians 5:27 STRONG

I charge G3726 you G5209 by the Lord G2962 that this epistle G1992 be read G314 unto all G3956 the holy G40 brethren. G80

Revelation 14:10 STRONG

The same G846 G2532 shall drink G4095 of G1537 the wine G3631 of the wrath G2372 of God, G2316 which G3588 is poured out G2767 without mixture G194 into G1722 the cup G4221 of his G846 indignation; G3709 and G2532 he shall be tormented G928 with G1722 fire G4442 and G2532 brimstone G2303 in the presence G1799 of the holy G40 angels, G32 and G2532 in the presence G1799 of the Lamb: G721

Revelation 12:7-9 STRONG

And G2532 there was G1096 war G4171 in G1722 heaven: G3772 Michael G3413 and G2532 his G846 angels G32 fought G4170 against G2596 the dragon; G1404 and G2532 the dragon G1404 fought G4170 and G2532 his G846 angels, G32 And G2532 prevailed G2480 not; G3756 neither G3777 was G2147 their G846 place G5117 found G2147 any more G2089 in G1722 heaven. G3772 And G2532 the great G3173 dragon G1404 was cast out, G906 that old G744 serpent, G3789 called G2564 the Devil, G1228 and G2532 Satan, G4567 which G3588 deceiveth G4105 the whole G3650 world: G3625 he was cast out G906 into G1519 the earth, G1093 and G2532 his G846 angels G32 were cast out G906 with G3326 him. G846

James 3:17 STRONG

But G1161 the wisdom G4678 that is from above G509 is G2076 first G4412 pure, G3303 G53 then G1899 peaceable, G1516 gentle, G1933 and easy to be intreated, G2138 full G3324 of mercy G1656 and G2532 good G18 fruits, G2590 without partiality, G87 and G2532 without hypocrisy. G505

Leviticus 19:15 STRONG

Ye shall do H6213 no unrighteousness H5766 in judgment: H4941 thou shalt not respect H5375 the person H6440 of the poor, H1800 nor honour H1921 the person H6440 of the mighty: H1419 but in righteousness H6664 shalt thou judge H8199 thy neighbour. H5997

Acts 15:37-38 STRONG

And G1161 Barnabas G921 determined G1011 to take with them G4838 John, G2491 whose surname was G2564 Mark. G3138 But G1161 Paul G3972 thought G515 not G3361 good G515 to take G4838 him G5126 with them, G4838 who G3588 departed G868 from G575 them G846 from G575 Pamphylia, G3828 and G2532 went G4905 not G3361 with them G846 to G1519 the work. G2041

Luke 20:21 STRONG

And G2532 they asked G1905 him, G846 saying, G3004 Master, G1320 we know G1492 that G3754 thou sayest G3004 and G2532 teachest G1321 rightly, G3723 G2532 neither G3756 acceptest thou G2983 the person G4383 of any, but G235 teachest G1321 the way G3598 of God G2316 truly: G225 G1909

Matthew 28:20 STRONG

Teaching G1321 them G846 to observe G5083 all things G3956 whatsoever G3745 I have commanded G1781 you: G5213 and, G2532 lo, G2400 I G1473 am G1510 with G3326 you G5216 alway, G3956 G2250 even unto G2193 the end G4930 of the world. G165 Amen. G281

Matthew 16:27 STRONG

For G1063 the Son G5207 of man G444 shall G3195 come G2064 in G1722 the glory G1391 of his G846 Father G3962 with G3326 his G846 angels; G32 and G2532 then G5119 he shall reward G591 every man G1538 according G2596 to his G846 works. G4234

Malachi 2:9 STRONG

Therefore have I also made H5414 you contemptible H959 and base H8217 before all the people, H5971 according H6310 as ye have not kept H8104 my ways, H1870 but have been partial H5375 H6440 in the law. H8451

Proverbs 18:5 STRONG

It is not good H2896 to accept H5375 the person H6440 of the wicked, H7563 to overthrow H5186 the righteous H6662 in judgment. H4941

Psalms 119:34 STRONG

Give me understanding, H995 and I shall keep H5341 thy law; H8451 yea, I shall observe H8104 it with my whole heart. H3820

Psalms 107:43 STRONG

Whoso is wise, H2450 and will observe H8104 these things, even they shall understand H995 the lovingkindness H2617 of the LORD. H3068

Deuteronomy 33:9 STRONG

Who said H559 unto his father H1 and to his mother, H517 I have not seen H7200 him; neither did he acknowledge H5234 his brethren, H251 nor knew H3045 his own children: H1121 for they have observed H8104 thy word, H565 and kept H5341 thy covenant. H1285

Deuteronomy 1:7 STRONG

Turn H6437 you, and take your journey, H5265 and go H935 to the mount H2022 of the Amorites, H567 and unto all the places nigh H7934 thereunto, in the plain, H6160 in the hills, H2022 and in the vale, H8219 and in the south, H5045 and by the sea H3220 side, H2348 to the land H776 of the Canaanites, H3669 and unto Lebanon, H3844 unto the great H1419 river, H5104 the river H5104 Euphrates. H6578

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.