1 Timothy 5:17-25

1 Timothy 5:17-25

Timothy holds a unique role in the leadership. He is still a fairly young man and was leading and appointing ministers of numerous house churches. The task brings to mind several key questions.

First was compensation for ministers. Paul advocates good pay, or “double honor,” for ministers who work hard. In part they would not have time for secular work, and very likely they would have considerable out-of-pocket expenses. Bi-vocational ministry was the norm in much of the early church. However, well-paid ministers are fully acceptable, but only if they work hard. Unfortunately, too many times ministers are doing busywork and treating the church as a jobs program. 

Second, Paul advises that a certain trust be extended to the house church leaders. Only on the account of two or three witnesses are accusations to be entertained. There is a strong anti-gossip bias here. Charges against a leader cannot be a whisper campaign of the disgruntled. People are required to stand up publicly if they want to make an accusation, and that accusation must be specific in nature. Unless there are multiple witnesses of specific charges and a willingness to go public, Timothy is to trust the accused leader. Holding those who would slander and grumble accountable will reduce the frequency of baseless accusations.

Third, hold accountable leaders who act corruptly. There is a distinction between the leader who acts corruptly and the leader who is fully corrupt. The elder, pastor, or leader who has done wrong must face the music. A public rebuke is in order: what was done, why it was wrong, what should have been done, and the consequences of the behavior if it continues. Too often, for reasons that are not legitimate, churches refuse to address the specifics of the case of church discipline, and it spirals down into vague generalities and personalities.

Fourth verses 22, 23, and 24 address the need for due diligence in the review of one who would be a church leader. Paul makes the point that those who select or support a destructive leader share in the guilt of his destructive behaviors. Some are obviously bad, others can hide their failings, but sooner or later the truth will be discovered. This is also true of the good deeds of quality men. Doing a careful background search is vital for the well-being of the church before appointing leaders.

In verse 23, Paul advocates wine for Timothy’s stomach. This was not social drinking but medicinal. Those who advocate total abstinence or recreational drinking are equally unsupported by this verse.

“Lord, bless those who lead the church.  May they proclaim the truth by both their lives and their teaching. AMEN”

1 Timothy 5:1-16

1 Timothy 5:1-16

Timothy is leading a very large organization and, as such, has to deal with economic and social issues. The issue of widows consumes about 15 verses and is an indication of the church forming its response to the social issues of widowed women and their support. While it would take books to address in detail all that Paul has to say here, a few general principles come to light.

Number one, it is God's intention that the social safety net for the aged is the family. This is especially true for widowed women. If the widow has any relatives at all, it is assumed that they should care for her.

Number two, it is assumed that the primary means of support for women is found in the context of marriage and children. Certainly women at this time worked for profit, but their primary focus was the home. The woman who invested and her children had a retirement plan far better than any 401k or IRA. Children and grandchildren would care for her.

Number three: a faith community’s care for widows was a possibility but also a rarity. The word “honor” in verse 3 means support from the common fund. This indicates that the church cared for some widows. However, these women met stringent qualifications of destitution with no family, a history of Godly behavior, apparently some role or commitment of service in the faith community to which they were obligated until death, and they were too old to remarry. This is not an exhaustive list but indicates that a ‘need’ is not by itself sufficient reason to receive aid.

Number four: financial aid is both compassionate and tender and, at the same time, calculating and shrewd. Benevolence is too often given based on the emotion of the moment and sentimentalism. That is a recipe for ruin. The care from the Church must be tender but never naive.

Paul seems to envision a social context in which what a person can do for themselves, they must do for themselves. But if they can't care for themselves, they should turn to their family. If that is not a possibility, then the church can provide the appropriate care. In this passage you will find that more verses deal with not placing widows on the care list than verses that address putting a widow on such a list. In the American church, we have narrowed the meaning of care with giving money. That is a concept foreign to the scriptures.

“Lord, help me to be wise and tender in the care of those in need.  AMEN”