1Timothy 5 and verse 1 reads.
1Tim.5:1] Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
[2] The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
This is the fifth commandment. We find it in Exodus 20:12 and it reads.
Exo.20:12] Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
First notice this is given with the promise of longevity. Then notice this is a Spiritual commandment. We treat our brothers and sisters in Christ as family. Back to 1Tim.5 and verse 3 reads.
1Tim.5:3] Honour widows that are widows indeed.
[4] 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.
The church is to take care of all widows that have no families. But, if there is a family, then it is for the family to take care of the widows. This was and is what real social security was meant to look like. This is pleasing to God and called a good work.
1Tim.5:5] Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
Her prayers are heard by God.
1Tim.5:6] But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
Let’s look at the word “pleasure”. It is G4684, spatalaō in the Greek, and means; To be voluptuous. live in pleasure be wanton. In other words, live in sin. She is spiritually dead.
1Tim.5:7] And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
Bring them into your home, so they are not accountable against the church. The churches used to do these things for those without family. Speaking of verse 7 and not verse 6.
1Tim.5:8] 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.
Women, beware of marrying a man such as this. Any man like this has denied the LORD, and is worse than an unbeliever.
1Tim.5:9] Let not a widow be taken into the number under 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.
This is for the widow over 60 years old. She has done good works and is now ready for the LORD, let her serve the LORD.
1Tim.5:11] But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
This is saying let the younger remarry, because if you don’t, she may fall into sin against the Lord, you have set a stumbling block before her.
1Tim.5:12] Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
Making her choose between what is natural for what is spiritual. The young cannot understand and fall away, and this will be on you. Mothers and fathers remember this pastoral letter is also good advice for the home.
1Tim.5:13] 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.
To drive a child of God from him is something I don’t want anyone to stand before God and explain. But don’t let children who wander away from the Lord upset you, this is natural, because a child brought up in the Lord generally always comes back to the Lord.
1Tim.5:14] I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
Let’s go to 1Cor.7 and verse 9 reads.
1Cor.7:9] But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
This means burn with desire and not in hell. Back to 1Tim.5 and verse 15 reads.
1Tim.5:15] 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.
Take into your family those that became widows, male or female, this will relieve the church and they can feed the poor or commit the money for someone else who has no family. This is righteous in the sight of the LORD.
1Tim.5:17] Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
This is saying that those who preach or teach are due a paycheck, and not only that, but a paycheck that is double. For they labor in God’s word, this takes a lot of time and normally leaves no room for another income. But, as for me, I will follow after Paul and take nothing for my services, for the Lord will reward me fully in heaven.
1Tim.5:18] For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
It reads in Due.25:4.
Due.25:4] Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
This is talking about those who labor for the Lord. Back to 1Tim.5 and verse 19 reads.
1Tim.5:19] Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
On councils, know both sides of an argument before rendering a decision. This is wisdom.
1Tim.5:20] Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Explain yourself and their sins. Fathers you will do well with your children when you abide by this commandment. This word fear is Revere.
1Tim.5:21] I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Let’s go back to Deuteronomy 1:16-18 and it reads.
Due.1:16] And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.
[17] Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.
[18] And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.
Back to 1Tim.5 and verse 22 reads.
1Tim.5:22] Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
Don’t be a brawler, or let anyone provoke you.
1Tim.5:23] Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
Don’t be a drunkard, but keep it modest.
1Tim.5:24] Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
Let’s go to Galatians and read 5:19-21.
Gal.5:19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
That covers most of it. Back to 1Tim.5:25.
1Tim.5:25] Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
Some precede others. All good works are not hidden from God but rather are written in the book of Life. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible