THE TREATMENT AND SUPPORT OF SENIOR MEMBERS.
1 Timothy 5:1-16
Q.1. How should we relate to one another in the church? What cautions should apply? – (1 Tim.5:1-5) = All our relationships in the church should be characterized by sacrificial love and respect for others, especially for seniors. Therefore – Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father … (1 Tim.5:1). Christians enjoy close fellowship. Purity should apply in all relationships (1 Tim.5:2). Paul gave us the qualities to recognise in widows who should be supported by the church – Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God, and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day (1 Tim.5:5).
Q.2. What advice was given to widows? Who is responsible for the care of widows and family members? – (1 Tim.5:3-8) = Widows were encouraged to live lives that were above reproach and were consistent with their claims to follow Christ (1 Tim.5:3-6). Fundamentally, widows should be provided for by their own families – if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God (1 Tim.5:4). In fact – if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim.5:8). Today our taxes provide a safety net for the elderly and needy. However, the church must ensure all are treated with dignity.
Q.3. What kinds of widows were the church to support? Why were younger widows encouraged to marry again? – (1 Tim.5:9-16) = The church was to take responsibility for those widows over the age of sixty, who were considered to be too old to care for themselves. In the culture of the day, sixty would have been considered very old. However, there were other considerations before a widow was placed on a support list: (i) she was to have been the wife of one man (1 Tim.5:9); (ii) she was to have – a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work (1 Tim.5:10); (iii) Women under sixty were to look after themselves, or to remarry. In the culture of the day this was wise, in order to avoid idleness and immorality. Paul stated that some younger widows already had brought dishonour on the name of Christ and had turned away from Him (1 Tim.5:15).
