1 Timothy – Part 6

Note: To examine the graphics in this series, click on them for a pop-up version.

Instructions to Timothy ~ Part 2

In public life, you often encounter people who are skeptical of faith. As Sha’ul highlights the importance of teaching and living out the Gospel, use this as a prompt to share your faith story authentically. Engage in meaningful conversations where you listen and respond to others’ doubts with grace. This week, seek an opportunity to compliment a colleague on their work and calmly relate your faith’s role in guiding your actions. This opens avenues for sharing your testimony naturally.

As a retiree, I have adopted our local grocery store as my mission field. I use the “make a friend, be a friend, and introduce my new friend to my best friend” technique. I also hand out invitations to our Kehilah, when we have special seasonal services or events.

Teaching and Example

¹¹ Command these things and teach them. ¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your youth; on the contrary, set the Believers an example in your speech, behavior, love, trust, and purity.

Timothy was to continue to command the false teachers to cease and to teach sound doctrine. “Between the lines can be seen a constant comparison between what the Ephesian Kehilah was doing wrong and what Timothy should do correctly. Every one of the five qualities enumerated in this verse is missing from the lives of the opponents” (Mounce)

¹³ Until I come, pay attention to the public reading of the Scriptures.

Public reading refers to the reading of Scripture in corporate worship (Acts 13:15; 2 Corinthians 3:14).

¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which you were given through a prophecy when the body of elders gave you s’mikhah (ordination).

Gift probably refers to Timothy’s calling and gifting for ministry, which God indicated (through prophecy) and recognized by the Kehilah (the laying on of hands by the elders).

¹⁵ Be diligent about this work, throw yourself into it, so that your progress may be clear to everyone. ¹⁶ Pay attention to yourself and to the teaching, continue in it, for by so doing you will deliver both yourself and those who hear you.

These things that Sha’ul called on Timothy to practice and be committed to are the things commanded in verses 12–13. These encompassed his behavior and teaching. Ultimately, salvation requires perseverance in faith. (See Romans 11:22; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 15:1–2; Philippians 2:12; Colossians 1:23; 2 Timothy 4:18.)

How to Treat Others

5 ¹ Do not rebuke an older man sharply, but appeal to him as you would to a father; treat younger men like brothers, ² older women like mothers and younger women like sisters, with absolute purity.

These verses describe the Kehilah in family terms (3:4–5, 15). Verse 1 does not prohibit the correcting of older men but speaks to the respectful way this should be done.

Concerning Widows ~ Part 1

³ Show respect to widows who are really in need. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, first let them learn to do their religious duty to their own family and thus repay some of the debt they owe their forebears, for this is what is acceptable in the sight of God. ⁵ Now the widow who is really in need, the one who has been left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. ⁶ But the one who is self-indulgent is already dead, even though she lives. ⁷ And instruct them about this, so that they will not be open to blame.

Sha’ul says that “children and grandchildren”, rather than the hila, should provide for widows in their own family. The real widow who deserves support is one without such family members and who devotes herself to prayer and not to self-indulgence.

⁸ Moreover, anyone who does not provide for his own people, especially for his family, has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

The strong language in this verse indicates that provision for one’s own household is a spiritual responsibility.

Kehillah’s Support of Widows

⁹ Let a widow be enrolled on the list of widows only if she is more than sixty years old, was faithful to her husband, ¹⁰ and is known for her good deeds—as one who has reared her children well, showed hospitality, washed the feet of God’s people, helped those in trouble, and engaged in all kinds of good work. ^[1]

The list of widows. Being a “real widow” (v. 3) is an office, so to speak, like shammash; and like shammashim widows must meet the qualifications set forth in order to be eligible for aid. Was faithful to her husband, or: “was married only once” (see 3:2). One who has reared her children well, or “one who looks after children well.” The former gives the literal sense of Greek teknotrophein, but conflicts with v. 4 above.

In your home, you might find that your relationships with aging parents or relatives can become strained, especially if there are financial burdens involved. Reflecting on 1 Timothy 5:3-10, consider setting aside time each week specifically to honor and serve these family members. This could mean helping with household chores, scheduling regular visits, or simply calling to check in on them. This practice not only aligns with the scripture’s call to honor widows but also fosters a loving, nurturing environment where your family members feel valued and cared for.

In our next post, we will continue to examine Sha’ul’s First Letter to Timothy.

Click here for the PDF version.

^[1] 1 Timothy 4:11-5:0.