5:1-2
Paul outlined for Timothy the best method of dealing with different groups of people. He addressed first of all how to treat an elderly man. Paul said to treat him as a father. In other words, do not be condescending and do not be harsh. Instead, work with him to persuade him to do what is right and live according to truth. I have found from experience, when dealing with elderly people, this method is more effective than harsh correction. Older people will not listen, usually, unless they feel like you respect them. Even if they do not deserve your respect, if you will be effective in turning them toward the gospel, then you must deal with them in this manner of appealing to them rather than commanding them.
Younger men are to be treated as brothers. I wouldn't know how this works because my brother never had much to do with me. However, I guess this would mean you should treat younger men with compassion and affection and again not to be harsh with them. There is always a real temptation to belittle others or be condescending. Instead, we should be wholehearted, straight forward, and sincere with older and younger men. The longer I go on the more I am dealing with those much younger than myself. I have to remember to go easy on young people who are easily influenced and restrain myself from being harsh or overbearing.
Older women are to be treated as mothers and the younger women as sisters. In Paul's time these were simple and easy to understand instructions. It is harder in today's world for people to understand how to treat others like family. What is the family today? Most families are shattered, broken, and splintered in pieces. People have no example today to know how to show respect, humility, and compassion.
May the Lord help us remember the old ways of treating people with respect and dignity. We should seek to persuade people to see truth instead of harsh confrontation. Honey does better at drawing people in rather than vinegar.
5:3-16
The subject in this section is identifying and helping widows. Paul defined what a widow was. He then instructed family members to take this responsibility, and if no one was found to help then the church could help. It almost seemed Paul was doing all he could to teach that the church should be a last resort instead of the first place people turn for provision.
Widows, as defined by Paul, were over a certain age, had a specific reputation, and had no family members to help them. When these qualifications were met then the church was supposed to step in and help the widow. This was very important in Paul's day because there was no social security to fall back on or social provisions made for the elderly or widowed. Families had to take care of each other. If there was no family then the spiritual family took over this responsibility.
Notice Paul used strong language when people call themselves Christian and fail to take care of family. He said someone who called himself a Christian but failed to help family were worse than unbelievers. How is this possible? The reason this was so bad was because they gave the name of Christ a bad reputation. People do this all the time today. People call themselves Christian and entire churches give the name of Jesus a bad reputation because they do not help people who are in need. There is no outreach happening in a lot of churches. Worse yet, church becomes a social club or a place of entertainment for people. Why is this happening? I think it points to where we are in the timeline of the last days. People are way off track with scripture, even in churches who claim to teach the bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse.
Each individual needs to let the Lord convict their conscience regarding these matters. If we have someone who is elderly and a widow in our families we should try to help them. Period. If you don't help then please don't tell anyone you are a Christian.
5:17-20
Elders could be those who were older but I think this pointed to leadership and especially those who led by teaching God's word. What is the message? People who labor in the church should receive financial support. Plain and simple. Also, we should protect people in leadership from reckless accusations. However, if someone in leadership is found to be in sin then it is to be rebuked in public so everyone can learn a lesson. So what are the points Paul covered? Pay the minister. Protect the ministry from reckless or unwarranted accusation. If the minister sins he needs to be exposed publicly for this. This is probably as a safeguard because who wants a sinning Pastor over a flock of unsuspecting sheep?
The part about rebuking someone who labored in the church is probably left to someone further up the chain of leadership than the Pastor. This means there needs to be a system of accountability. In some churches this will be a deacon board. In some churches this is a some kind of board like corporations have. At the very least anyone who is in the ministry should make themselves accountable to someone else who is working in the ministry, like another Pastor or co-laborer. Beware of anyone in the ministry who does not accept accountability or will not submit to others for moral or ethical auditing.
Notice Paul emphasized those working in the ministry deserve honor and respect. There is not a lot of people who will listen to God and allow God to use them in full time work within the church. Those who do accept this calling are often overlooked and disrespected by those on the outside and from within the congregation. It really is a thankless job. Probably few people can survive this kind of work unless they are well paid or unless they absolutely heard the voice of God calling them to this work.
7/22