The Strand Study Bible

Written From Macedonia During Paul’s Release From House Arrest In Rome

I TIMOTHY 5:9-25

2028

The proper care of pastors 17 Let theelders that 7 rulewell becounted worthy of 8 double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, 9 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, 10 but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin 11 rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, 12 doing nothing by partiality. 22 13 Lay hands suddenly on no man, 14 neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine 15 for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they 16 follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise 1 cannot be hid.

9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under 1 threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to 2 wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having 3 damnation, because they have cast off 4 their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 5 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the 6 adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

1. or, “sixty” 2. or, “have sexual desires again” 3. or, “chastisement” - Heb 12:5-11 4. that is, “their first pledge, (vow) to behave well after the loss of their loved one” - Eccl 5:1-6 5. I Cor 7:9 6. or, “Satan” - I Pet 5:8 7. I Thess 5:12 -13 & Rom 12:8 & I Tim 3:4-5 8. or, “full honour” Note - This includes remuneration - vs 18. 9. Quoted from the

OT - Deut 25:4 (See - I Cor 9:9) 10. Deut 19:15 & Mt 18:16 11. Gal 2:11,14 & II Pet 2:15-16

12. Deut 1:17 13. that is, “be careful about ordaining new men too quickly” 14. Rev 2:14 & Eph 5:6-7 15. Prov 31:6 16. or, “show up later”

5:14 This word ( guide the house ) comes from a Greek wordmeaning “ to rule, manage, and direct household affairs; to be a housemaster ” (Prov 31:16). The same word is used in Luke 2:29, Acts 4:24, I Timothy 6:1-2, II Timothy 2:21, Titus 2:9, I Peter 2:18, II Peter 2:1, Jude 4 and Revelation 6:10. 5:17 Pastors (elders) are called by God to lead ( rule ) within their local churches ( I Tim 3:5 a,b , Heb 13:7 a, 17 and I Thess 5:12 - 13). In order to properly care for ruling elders (pastors), the rank and file of any local church needs to: 1. honor pastors who labor in the Bible (who work to the point of exhaustion studying the Word of God - vs 17-18) 2. guard pastors against character assassination (vs 19) 3. protect pastors by bringing in another pastor to rebuke other pastor(s) who err (vs 20) 4. properly care for a pastor’s physical well-being (vs 23) 5:18 The charge ( The labourer is worthy of his reward ) here came from Luke’s Gospel (Lk 10:7), which was regarded as Scripture (I Cor 9:14). 5:20 Pastoral sins ( Them that sin ) are far more dangerous than those among the laity in that pastors are public officials and therefore open to public rebuke (Titus 1:13). 5:21 As the presiding pastor in Ephesus, Timothy was charged to guard against partiality (exhibiting certain favoritism toward erring pastors). 5:22 This word ( no man ) is the Greek word PKGHQL ( medeni ) and means “ no one , i.e., no person, be it man or woman .” Paul warned Pastor Timothy (yea, all pastors) not to be impulsive when it comes to ordaining men and/or women into the ministry. Too many have been ordained too young (I Tim 3:6) or too soon (I Tim 3:10 and Acts 12:25 & 13:5,13 & 15:36-38). NOTE - According to Romans 11:29, both men and women have been gifted and called when it comes to the Lord’s work. However, women are limited to non-leadership roles ( Rom 16:1 ), because of their vulnerability to Satan’s devices ( I Tim 2:11 - 14 and Gen 3:1 a ). Which means, although women can be ordained into the ministry, they should not be the leading pastor (I Tim 3:2,4-5). 5:23 Apparently the sign gifts (tongues, miracles, and miraculous healings - Mk 16:17-20 and I Cor 14:21-22) were less prevalent by this time as Paul was unable to “heal” Timothy (II Cor 12:7-10) or Trophimus (II Tim 4:20).