Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows who are widows indeed. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.
But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. For already some have turned aside after Satan. If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
Don’t receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses. Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure. Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.
Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
Questions
- Are members at your church encouraged to behave in the way that Paul describes here towards older and younger brothers and sisters? If not, why not?
- Do you think a congregation of members made up primarily of Christ followers of approximately the same age is a good thing? If so, why? If not, why?
- What’s the church’s responsibility to widows in your own words? How does your consideration of widows align with Paul’s? How does it differ?
- What’s the family of a widow responsible for regarding the widow in your own words? How does your consideration of the family-widow relationship align with Paul’s? How does it differ?
- Do you agree with the statement: “But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever”? What about in instances of long-term job displacement? What about in the terms of disability?
- Do you agree with Paul’s assessment of, “Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work”? Should the church use this as a strict guideline or as more of a beginning place? How should we expand this thought? How should we follow this thought to the “letter of the law”?
- Do Paul’s advice regarding younger widows apply today? How is our culture different? What about single moms—how should the church help them? What about in war times—should that change our thinking?
- Obviously, Paul believes the family has the first responsibility in the support of widows. When should the church step in?
- What is a “widow indeed”?
- Do elders teach at your congregation? It’s apparent that elders were compensated during this time, and if they taught, worthy of even more compensation. Do we follow this practice today? If no, why not?
- Why should an accusation against an elder always be done by two or three witnesses instead of one? What about sexual harassment or improper sexual conduct—do those apply? How many witnesses should be used against anyone else?
- Is it odd to you that Paul would make these statements back to back: “Keep yourself pure. Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities” ? He seemed to be against drinking in the discussion of elders and deacons, and here he suggests to an evangelist that perhaps a little wine for his stomach is a good thing. What do you think?
- In light of Paul’s statement, “Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden,” how should that temper our judgment of elders? What about everyone else—should they be treated the same way or differently?
- What relationships today could be compared to that of a bondservant?
