BOOK 54 OF 66 · PAULINE EPISTLES · KING JAMES BIBLE

1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy book home•Chapter 5 of 6•25 verses

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1 Timothy 5 Overview

Paul gives Timothy practical instructions for treating older and younger men and women as family, organizing support for widows, honoring elders who labor well, handling accusations against leaders carefully, correcting sin impartially, and avoiding premature ordination. The chapter combines compassion with administrative discernment.

1 TimothyBook

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25Verses

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Before you read 1 Timothy 5

Coming from

Paul warns that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, including ascetic prohibitions on marriage and foods. He tells Timothy to nourish himself in good doctrine, reject profane fables, exercise unto godliness, model faithful conduct, devote himself to reading and doctrine, and take heed to himself and his teaching.

In this chapter

Leads into

Paul instructs servants to honor masters so the gospel is not blasphemed, warns against teachers obsessed with controversy and financial gain, and declares that godliness with contentment is great gain. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Timothy must flee these things, fight the good fight of faith, charge the rich not to trust riches, and guard the deposit committed to him.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Not every widow is to be placed on the church’s support list; family responsibility comes first where possible.

‘Elders that rule well’ are worthy of double honor, especially those laboring in word and doctrine, showing that teaching elders may appropriately receive material support.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Church relationships should reflect family honor and purity

Timothy must not lead harshly or carelessly.

Families have real responsibility for dependent relatives

The church is not meant to replace family duty when family can provide.

Faithful elders deserve honor

Leadership and teaching labor should be respected and supported.

Church discipline must be impartial

Accusations require witnesses, but proven public sin requires public rebuke.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Exodus 20:12

Honoring parents supports Paul’s insistence on family responsibility.

Deuteronomy 25:4

Paul quotes the unmuzzled ox in support of laborer compensation.

Matthew 18:16

The witness principle appears in Jesus’ disciplinary instruction.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not use widow qualifications to shame needy women

Paul is organizing a particular support list while preserving compassion.

Do not accept accusations against leaders casually

The witness requirement protects against reckless charges.

Do not use leadership protections to cover proven sin

Paul says those sinning are to be rebuked before all.

Read 1 Timothy 5 watching for…

Family-style treatment by age and sex.

Family versus church responsibility for widows.

Double honor for elders.

Witness requirements.

Public rebuke and impartiality.

Warning against laying hands suddenly.

Chapter outline5 sections

1-2Timothy is told how to treat older and younger men and women 3-8Families are responsible to care for their own widows 9-16Paul explains which widows are to be enrolled and how younger widows should live 17-21Elders who rule well are worthy of honor, and accusations against elders require proper witnesses 22-25Timothy is warned against hasty ordination and reminded that sins and good works become evident

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

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.

But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

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.

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

For some are already turned aside after Satan.

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.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

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1 Timothy 5:4

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