1 Timothy 5
by Pastor David Groendyk

Today’s chapter has more basic instructions for how the church should function, and the key word here is “honor”. Every relationship in the church ought to be characterized by mutually showing one another honor and respect, in whatever way is appropriate for that person.

First of all, Paul gives general commands for how everyone in the church should treat everyone else. Older men are to be treated as fathers, younger men are to be treated as brothers, older women must be treated like mothers, and younger women must be treated as sisters (vv. 1–2). These commands underscore for us the way that we believers should consider each other one family of God. The way that we speak to one another, speak about one another, correct one another, pray for one another, bear with one another, and just generally interact with one another should give off the aroma of being a tight-knit, warm, and loving family. There are no strangers or acquaintances in God’s house. Each individual deserves the respect of being a full-fledged family member. Is this the way that you’ve been treating these four groups of people in the church lately?

Next, the attention turns to widows in the church (vv. 3–16). One description that Paul uses repeatedly that might cause some confusion is that widows must be “truly widows” (vv. 3, 5, 16). That doesn’t mean Paul is asking for death certificates. Rather, widows had to meet two criteria before being supported by the church: 1) not having other family to provide for them, and 2) godliness. The women who didn’t meet these criteria didn’t qualify. But more than that, there are important reminders for how these two groups of people should function. Dear widows, you have some sobering commands and warnings here. Set your hope in God alone, pray night and day, don’t be self-indulgent, be devoted to every good work, don’t let your passions control you, and don’t be idle or gossips or busybodies. If you don’t remain devoted to pursuing God and godliness with your whole heart, even in this stage of life, you are liable to stray away from God and toward Satan (vv. 12, 15). Are you spending your time busy in godly things? And, dear non-widows, are you diligent in caring for those who have lost a spouse, not just in the church but in your own family? Providing for your family, either physical family or spiritual family, is a spiritual issue, and not living out the gospel in this way is considered by Paul as denying the faith (v. 8). In these ways, then, we see mutual honor being shown between widows and non-widows. Non-widows honor widows by supporting them and caring for them when they need it, and widows honor non-widows by not squandering the support and pursuing holiness that edifies the rest of the body.

Finally, there is the honor shown between elders and laypeople (vv. 17–25). The ante gets upped in these verses, and that’s because it’s a weighty thing to be an elder. We see that some elders are to be considered worthy of double honor, that is, being an elder is their vocation and therefore they deserve to be paid for it (i.e., pastors, or, as we say in the PCA, “teaching elders”). Paul also commands caution when these elders have an accusation brought against them (v. 19), not because pastors are above the law, but because they should have been rigorously vetted and not hastily ordained (v. 22). Though pastors are (obviously) sinners, and no less sinners than an ordinary Christian, it should be rare (hopefully) that a serious charge be brought against them. But then if a pastor is guilty, it is all the more serious (v. 20). All of us in this matter must be watchful, both over our own hearts and others’. It’s an extremely grave matter to be ordained and to handle the accusations and sins of those who are ordained (were these issues making Timothy sick in verse 23?). But again, we see the importance of honor being shown to one another. Pastors and elders must strive against sin and for a level of purity commensurate to their high calling and, by so doing, honor the flock; laypeople must rightly honor their leaders, recognizing the authority they’ve been given.

Why is this kind of mutual honor and respect such an important aspect of church life for Paul? How can you apply some of these commands in relation to your brothers and sisters at Tyrone today?