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1 Timothy 5:1. Do not reproach the elder, but exhort him as if he were a father; younger ones, like brothers. 1 Timothy 5:2. Old women as mothers; young, like sisters, with all purity. “Do not reproach the elder, but beg like a father.” The apostle here does not mean a priest, but one who is advanced in years. The following words also show this. “Young men like brethren; old women like mothers; young women like sisters, with all purity.” since he who is entrusted with souls must also converse with young wives, the Apostle not without need added: “with all purity,” in order to maintain bodily chastity and spiritual chastity and not allow any harm into oneself through either sight or hearing. Then he again turns to the doctrine of church ranks. 1 Timothy 5:3. Honor widows, true widows. 1 Timothy 5:4. If any widow has children or grandchildren, then let them first learn to honor their family and pay tribute to their parents, for this pleases God. 1 Timothy 5:5. A true widow and lonely person trusts in God and remains in prayers and prayers day and night. “Widows, honor the true widows. If any widow has children or grandchildren, let her first learn to build her home piously and repay the parents: this is acceptable in the sight of God. But a true widow is solitary, trusts in God and remains in prayer and supplication day and night.” Widows who do not have any source from anywhere to satisfy their needs should use, says the Apostle, church assistance. They, being freed from worries, have one thing to do - to always remain in divine prayers. And those who have children or grandchildren must take care of them and give them the same care that they themselves enjoyed from their fathers, so that the reward that follows the parents can be passed on to the children and received from them for their services. 1 Timothy 5:6. And the voluptuous one died alive. “The one who feeds extensively, died alive.” By immoderation in food, she suppresses the rational power in herself and makes this power in her body, as in a tomb, remain motionless. 1 Timothy 5:7. And instill this in them so that they may be blameless. “And this commandment, that they may be blameless.” The Apostle said this not about those alone who are worthy of church care for them, but also about those who have devoted themselves to raising their children. 1 Timothy 5:8. If anyone does not take care of his own, and especially his family, he has renounced the faith and is worse than an infidel. “If anyone does not provide for his own, much less for those of his own household, he has rejected the faith and is greedy for eating infidels.” The Apostle said this about both mothers and children. For just as mothers must nurture and teach their children piety, so children must render appropriate services to their parents. 1 Timothy 5:9. A widow must be elected no less than one who is sixty years old and has been the wife of one husband. “Let a widow not be less than sixty years old.” He did not say: “let it be,” but: “let it be due”; because those who are in their prime and are able to work and earn food must work to subdue the impulses of youth. “Having been the wife of one husband,” And from this it is clear that the Apostle did not reject bigamy, but legitimized chaste life in marriage: For, having given above the law on second marriage, he did not forbid those who entered into it to use bodily services, since he clearly commands everyone to do good. 1 Timothy 5:10. Known for good deeds, if she raised children, received strangers, washed the feet of saints, helped the needy, and was zealous for every good deed. “We bear witness to good deeds.” Then he numbers these works according to their generations. “As many as I have raised children to eat.” The Apostle demands not only to educate, but also to educate piously. God also says this about Abraham, that he commanded “his son and his household by themselves” to preserve all the judgments of the Lord God (Gen. 18, 19). “Strangers are always welcome.” Then he says exactly which ones are strange. "As many saints as have minds." Because this is what they did in ancient times. So Lydda received the Apostle himself and those with him. This is what he said about Thebe: “she has been a fast intercessor for many, even for me” (Rom. 16:2). “Provide more for the sorrowful.” The apostle seeks not the quantity of alms, but the quality of the disposition. These were the widow's two mites in the Holy Gospel. “If you follow every good deed, eat.” Briefly named all types of virtues. 1 Timothy 5:11. Do not accept young widows, for they, falling into luxury and contrary to Christ, want to marry. 1 Timothy 5:12. They are condemned because they rejected their former faith. “Deny young widows: when they become furious against Christ, they want to encroach, having sin, as if they rejected the first faith.” Having decided to live chastely in widowhood for Christ, they enter into a second marriage. 1 Timothy 5:13. Moreover, being idle, they learn to go from house to house and are not only idle, but also talkative, curious, and say things they shouldn’t. “They learn to go around houses in flocks and idleness, not exactly idle, but also slutty, curious, saying things that are not proper.” He showed the reasons why he does not include them in the list of widows. And what is said: “they will become furious” means: using church assistance and satisfying bodily needs without care, they live in idleness; and idleness brings with it evil thoughts. 1 Timothy 5:14. So I wish that young widows marry, bear children, manage the house and not give the enemy any reason for slander. “I want to encroach upon young widows, give birth to children, build a house, and not give a single blasphemy to the opposite person.” The Divine Apostle says: “I want,” but Novat says: “I don’t want.” But the Apostle says why he wants it, namely, that those who are subordinate to their husbands and busy caring for “the” home should be freed from the harm caused by idleness. Then he presents the reason for this even more clearly. 1 Timothy 5:15. For some have already turned aside after Satan. “Behold, a certain woman has become corrupted after Satan.” The law is made based on experience. 1 Timothy 5:16. If any faithful person has widows, then they should be contented with them and not burden the Church, so that it can provide contentment for true widows. “If anyone is faithful or faithful to have widows, let him satisfy them, and let the church not be burdened, but let him please the real true widows,” that is, widows who do not have any benefit from anywhere. The Apostle commands the faithful to do this. Regarding widows who live among the infidels, but are adorned with faith, the Apostle desires that they should enjoy the care of the Church for them. 1 Timothy 5:17. Great honor should be given to elders who are in charge, especially those who labor in the word and in doctrine. “Let the presbyters who are devoted to good deeds be considered worthy of special honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching.” So praiseworthy is the work of teaching. The Apostle used the word “greater” instead of: greater honor. He confirms his word with the testimony of Scripture. 1 Timothy 5:18. For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle the ox that is threshing; and: the worker is worthy of his reward. “For the Scripture says: “Do not turn back the ox that is threshing” (Deut. 25:4); and: “the worker is worthy of his reward” (Matthew 10:10). The Apostle cited one testimony from the Old Testament, and the other from the New Testament Scripture. 1 Timothy 5:19. Accept an accusation against a presbyter in no other way than in the presence of two or three witnesses. “They did not accept blasphemy against a presbyter, except in the presence of two or three witnesses.” The law commands this for everyone. For it is said: “before two or three” witnesses, “let every word be made” (Deut. 19:15). It is especially proper to do this in the reasoning of a presbyter. For it happens that he, since he has been entrusted with the leadership of the church, offends one of those who sin, and those, being hostile to him for this reason, weave slander. Therefore this number of witnesses must be presented. 1 Timothy 5:20. Reprove those who sin before everyone, so that others may also have fear. “Reprove those who sin before everyone, and others will also have fear.” Do not first condemn those who are clearly convicted of any lawlessness; do not deign to show mercy; and when caught, pronounce judgment in the presence of everyone, so that out of fear of punishment they will avoid sin. Then the Apostle frightens Timothy himself with a formidable testimony. 1 Timothy 5:21. Before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the chosen Angels, I conjure you to preserve this without prejudice, doing nothing out of partiality. “I testify before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you preserve this without hypocrisy, doing nothing by deviation.” Two gives commands: not to condemn, relying on the reliability of the accusers, or not to do this out of a hostile disposition before personal investigation; and after obvious denunciations, do not postpone the sentence, violating justice out of mercy to the judged. Along with God and with Christ, the Apostle placed the Angels, not as equals, but as slaves, because we often put the lower ones on a par with the highest; in the presence together of slaves, and masters, and priests, and laity, we say: “I bear witness to you with all of them.” So blessed Paul says: “I testify to you before God, and His Son, and His servants.” 1 Timothy 5:22. Do not lay your hands on anyone hastily, and do not become a participant in the sins of others. Keep yourself clean. “Do not quickly lay your hands on anyone, but rather participate in the sin of others.” One must first examine the life of the person being ordained, and then call upon him the grace of the Spirit. “Keep yourself clean.” Don't make yourself subject to condemnation. Then the Apostle commands the body to be given commensurate favors. 1 Timothy 5:23. From now on, drink more than just water, but use a little wine, for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. “Whoever does not drink water, but has taken little wine, stomach for the sake of you and your frequent ailments.” Healing others with words, the Apostle offers the disciple healing with wine, believing Him who said: “For My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Then he continues the word about ordination again. 1 Timothy 5:24. Some people's sins are obvious and directly lead to condemnation, and some are revealed later. 1 Timothy 5:25. Likewise, good deeds are evident; and if they are not, they cannot hide. “The sins of certain people are presented as a precursor to judgment; and some are the consequences. In the same way, the essence of a good deed is presented: even if it exists otherwise, it cannot be hidden.” Not everyone, says the Apostle, sins openly; others commit them secretly; however, what is hidden now is revealed over time. Therefore, expect to learn by experience. You might be interested in: