Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 48

Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 4

1 Timothy 5:7-8 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. KJV

Paul reinforces his desire to Brother Timothy concerning the previous things he has instructed him on regarding the treatment of widows in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ by saying, "And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless." (1 Timothy 5:7) (KJV). The little English phrase 'give in charge' is translated by the Greek word paraggellō which means to transmit a message, that is, (by implication) to enjoin: - give command or commandment, to declare. The English word 'blameless' is translated by the Greek word anepilēptos which means (by implication) inculpable: - blameless, unrebukeable. In other words, these things were not Paul's suggestions to Timothy, but commands to him from the Throne of God on how widows in Christ Church should be treated and how they (the widows) should conduct themselves so that by virtue of their employment in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ they would be without blame, that is, not rebuked for their service to Christ Church by other members who saw their positions as suspect or unneeded or unnecessary. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning these commands, "Charge the whole Church to attend to these things, that they may be blameless. The words are not spoken of the widows only, but of the Church or its officers."

Now Paul gives Timothy what he has been inspired by God the Holy Spirit to speak concerning the children of a widowed Mother or Grandmother by these very strong words of warning and of rebuke, "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." (1 Timothy 5:8) (KJV). Paul here is again instructing Timothy on how he must inform and instruct the children of widows on their primary responsibility and that is of taking care of their widowed Mother and/or Grandmother in need. The little English phrase 'provide not for' is translated  by the Greek word pronoeō which means to consider in advance, that is, look out for beforehand (active voice by way of maintenance for others. The English phrase 'for those of his own house' is translated by the Greek word oikeios which means domestic, that is, (as noun), a relative, adherent: - in this case the widowed Mother or Grandmother. The English phrase 'he hath denied' is translated by the Greek word arneomai which means to contradict, that is, disavow, reject, abnegate: - deny, refuse.

The English word 'faith' is translated by the Greek word pistis and it means persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. The English word 'worse' is translated by the Greek word cheirōn meaning more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally): - sorer, worse. Th little English phrase 'than an infidel' is translated by the Greek word apistos meaning (actively) disbelieving, that is, without Christian faith (specifically a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing): - that believeth not, faithless, incredible thing, infidel, unbeliever. In other words, Paul declares to Brother Timothy that the grown children who have a widowed Mother and/or Grandmother and refuse to provide financial care, emotional care, and every other type of loving care for them is not even equal to an atheist or a witch or a wizard or a sorcerer or a spiritualist or any other person or system of spiritual belief that is contrary to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and His Gospel, they are even worst than them in the sight of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here is what F. B. Meyer had to say concerning the childrens responsibility to their widowed Mothers or Grandmothers, "The special references to widows evidence the early practice of the Church. Provision was made for godly women who had lost husbands by death, and who in return for the weekly gift from Church funds, gave themselves to Christian service. The Apostle indicates the age and characteristics of those who might be eligible. It was his clear judgment, however, that, wherever possible, it was becoming for children to make such provision as would place an aged Mother or other relative beyond the reach of want or any need of claiming maintenance from Church funds. Our nurses and deaconesses are the modern counterparts of the order of widows in the early Church; yet the standard of Christian living here emphasized may well be pondered and prayed over by all Christian women, who should, as far as possible without fee or reward, consider Church service only second to the claims of home."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…