Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 46

Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 2

1 Timothy 5:2-3 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honor widows that are widows indeed. KJV

Paul now shifts his emphasis to Brother Timothy on how he and all other leaders of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ Church should treat women in the Church by first acknowledging the elder women just as he did with the elder men, "The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity." (1 Timothy 5:2) (KJV). The little English phrase 'the elder women' is translated by the Greek word presbuteros (the exact same word used by Paul in the previous verse speaking of the men) which again means senior person, that is, in this case the senior women of Christ Church. Just as Timothy and the other leaders of the Church were to treat the elder men with the same respect and reverence they would an earthly Father, so too were they to treat the elder women with like respect and reverence as they would treat their own earthly Mothers.

The younger women were to be looked upon by Timothy and the other male leaders of Christ Church as their sisters in Christ, but also as they would see their blood sisters in the flesh and in so doing they would then treat them with the respect they would deserve in the congregation. Seeing the women in Christ Church as a 'sister' would also serve to promote the treatment of them with purity, that is, they would refrain from seeing them as sexual objects that they could take advantage of because of their leadership position in Christ Church. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning the discipline of elder women and younger women in the Church, "When they offend in any point, they are to be reasoned, and argued, and pleaded with, as children should with their Mothers; see Hosea 2:2 and are to be considered as Mothers in Israel, and to be treated with great tenderness and respect. The younger as sisters; using the freedom as a brother may with a sister; and considering them as sisters in Christ, and in a way becoming the relation, tell them their faults freely and privately, but with all purity: in such manner as to preserve chastity in looks, in words, and actions."

Paul now turns his instruction to the women who have lost their husbands and are now alone by saying, "Honor widows that are widows indeed." (1 Timothy 5:3) (KJV). The English word 'honor' is translated by the Greek word timaō which means to prize, that is, fix a valuation upon; by implication to revere: - honor, value. The valuing of widows in that day was due primarily or for the most part because women did not work outside of the home to support themselves and their children, that was done entirely and only by the man/husband during the time of Paul writing this letter to Timothy, therefore, with that being the reality, the widows in the Church needed not only emotional support and comfort, but they most certainly needed the financial support of the Body of Christ in order that their basic living needs would be taken care of; food, shelter, and clothing. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning the honoring of widows, "Honor them, that is, maintain them, admit them into office. There was in those times an office in the Church in which widows were employed, and that was to tend the sick and the aged, to look to them by the direction of the deacons. We read of the care taken of widows immediately upon the first forming of the Christian Church (Acts 6:1), where the Grecians thought their widows were neglected in the daily ministration and provision made for poor widows. The general rule is to honor widows that are widows indeed, to maintain them, to relieve them with respect and tenderness."

"The treatment of the elder women, the younger women, and the widowed women (of all ages) in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the most important things that takes place in the Church, for any man or woman in leadership who takes advantage of elderly women in Christ Church financially by using their property improperly or taking more money from them than they had planned to give to the Church or by intimidating them to give more money will surely receive perhaps the harshess judgement from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for indeed they should perform their duties as the Apostle Peter instructed with these words, 'Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion {or} constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages {and} profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly {and} cheerfully; Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).' (1 Peter 5:2-3) (Amplified Bible).  Likewise any man in leadership in Christ Church who would use his office of authority to seduce the younger women in the Church will likewise receive harsh judgement from our Lord Jesus. It is the responsibility of the Church leadership to aid those widows in their flock who are true widows and in need of help with the daily necessities of this earthly life away from the heavenly home, for this should be the Church leaderships first priority, not building huge elaborate buildings and taking money from well meaning believers to build their own earthly empire." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

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…