United Commentaries

1Tim.5.1-6.2

Right conduct in God’s household (see 3:15) relates to old and young (5:1-2), widows (5:3-16), elders (5:17-25), and slaves (6:1-2a). Proper honor within the household cuts across social boundaries.

1Tim.5.3-16

A widow without wealth or family was alone in a world that did not provide for her. The Christian community was expected to care for such widows among its members (see Deut 10:17-19; Isa 1:17; cp. Acts 6:1-6; Jas 1:27). Some have argued that this passage suggests a religious order of widows in the first-century church at Ephesus, but there is no certain evidence of such an order in the first-century church, only of a ministry of care for community members without means.

1Tim.5.5

The only recourse for a widow who was truly alone was hope in God (Pss 68:5; 146:9).

1Tim.5.6

Some widows in Ephesus were living only for pleasure, more interested in receiving than in giving (see also 6:17-19; Jas 5:5). They did not need support.

1Tim.5.8

Faith is not mere belief but a whole way of life (see Jas 2:14-26).

1Tim.5.9

at least sixty: Young widows required a different approach (5:11-15). Young and old were customarily divided at around forty; elders would probably have been over fifty (see Titus 2:2).

was faithful to her husband (literally was the wife of one husband): The grammar is identical in 1 Tim 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6.

1Tim.5.10

and served other believers humbly: Cp. Gen 18:4; Luke 7:44; John 13:1-17.

1Tim.5.11-15

Young widows still in their childbearing years required a different approach. Paul was concerned that the false teachers were leading them astray.

1Tim.5.11-12

If Paul was concerned about remarriage to unbelievers (cp. 5:14), their previous pledge would refer to their Christian faith, which they would surrender upon entering a pagan marriage; such a marriage would probably have alienated them from Christ. It is also possible that Paul and the church recognized a special category of “sacred widowhood” (see 5:5; cp. Acts 9:36-37), entered by a vow that Paul refers to as the previous pledge.

1Tim.5.13

Too seldom do those who are fully supported by the church invest their lives in remarkable piety (cp. 2:9-10; 5:10). Abusing the church’s support does not help them or the Good News (cp. 5:14).

talking about things they shouldn’t: The wording suggests involvement in the false teaching (5:15; cp. 2 Thes 3:11-13; Titus 1:11).

1Tim.5.14

Paul is advising younger widows to remarry—and to marry believers (5:11-12; cp. 2:15).

not . . . say anything against them: Their actions were hurting their testimony for the Good News (see 1 Thes 4:11-12; Titus 2:8).

1Tim.5.15

now follow Satan: They had committed apostasy, renouncing Christ, probably in connection with the false teachers (1:6-7; cp. 3:6-7; Heb 2:1) and their self-indulgence (1 Tim 5:6, 13).

1Tim.5.16

Individual Christian households maintained their function and identity within the church (cp. 2:15; 3:15). They were not eclipsed by the church, although the household of God is primary to the identity of the believing community (see Mark 3:31-35).

1Tim.5.17-25

Elders: As in Judaism, community leaders (see also 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) were usually older men who were leaders in the wider community. The letters to Timothy and Titus recognize an office of elders, as here (see also 1 Tim 4:14; Titus 1:5), but the word is also used generally for older men in the community (as in 1 Tim 5:1).

1Tim.5.17-18

should be respected and paid well (literally should be worthy of double honor): Cp. Gal 6:6. There is no evidence of a paid clergy at this time; the word used here is never used for a continuous salary, though it does imply something beyond a show of respect. The quotations from Scripture (Deut 25:4; Luke 10:7) suggest gifts of money.

1Tim.5.19-21

The climate created by the false teachers may have led to spurious charges against the leaders of the community. This passage follows the outline of Deut 19:15-21.

two or three witnesses: See Deut 17:6; 19:15; Matt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1; Heb 10:28.

1Tim.5.20

Those who sin: This term refers either to one who is (rightly) accused or to one making a (false) accusation (Deut 19:16-19).

The others are either the other elders or the rest of the church (cp. Deut 19:20; Acts 5:1-11).

1Tim.5.21

God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels constitute three witnesses (5:19). These witnesses confirm the accusation against leaders who sin (5:20).

Angels are associated with God’s judgment (Dan 7:9-10; Matt 13:49; 25:31, 41; Luke 9:26; 2 Thes 1:7).

1Tim.5.22

Do not share in the sins of others: Those who commission an elder are responsible for his conduct.

1Tim.5.23

Possibly the concern with purity (5:22) was being taken too far with respect to wine (see 3:3; Num 6:1-21) or food (1 Cor 10:21). Wine may have been considered medicinal.

1Tim.5.24-25

These two proverbial statements summarize 5:17-23 and point to God’s judgment.