4th Week of February 2012 Adult Sunday School Lesson

1 Timothy Chapter 5

It should come as no surprise that Paul instructs Timothy to treat fellow brethren with all kindness and humility. Christ did after all died for our sins, so it should not be too much trouble to treat fellow saints with love and kindness. Paul then spends a lot of time talking about widows, because there is a responsibility of the church and where there is great responsibility there is unfortunately an occasion for great abuse.

A widow is expected to keep herself in a godly manner. It almost appears if some widows were given and opportunity for work and help out with church duties or charity. Paul warns that this is only for widows that will keep themselves without spot from the world are to do service and represent the church or have the church's help. He did not want widows, especially younger widows, living in sin or going around spreading gossip.

By the time we get to the eighth verse Paul also makes it clear that the church is to not take care of widows that have plenty of family that can do the job instead. The church was not meant to be a nursing home so people could go about living their lives without responsibility to their own family members.

Just as bishops and deacons should be chaste in their living, Paul says the same thing about widows that would either be in service to the church or supported financially by the church. He also warns that younger widows may very well marry and shouldn't be taken in to the responsibility of the church.

In the 17th verse it is mentioned that elders should be given 'double honor'. Whether this means preachers only or deacons, any other that can be considered to 'labor in word and doctrine', we don't know. Word and doctrine points to preachers, but it could easily count deacons as well.

Don't take simple accusations against an elder, but before two or more witnesses. That is plain and I don't think we need much discussion as to why. Paul makes it clear the seriousness of these instructions. He wants Timothy to 'lay hands suddenly' on no man because you don't want to appoint or promote anyone unless they have lived a life that is evident before all people.

We also have here what the example of patience does for a Christian. We don't always know what sin might be inside a person, but make no mistake, it will come out eventually. Christ is patient to see how we'll serve him and we should be patient in seeing what makes up a person who claims to be a Christian. In due time, almost all will come to light, but God knows the hearts of everyone.