1 Timothy 5:1-8

1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

This is a summary of how to treat all people in the church. We should treat all men in the church as our fathers. We should exhort them! Exhortation is encouragement to do what needs to be done; it has the manner of an encouraging coach, helping the athlete to achieve their best. Younger men should be treated as brothers, as partners and friends in the work of the gospel. Older women are to be treated as mothers, with respect and honor due to them. The younger women are to be treated as sisters; Timothy, as any godly man, was to always make certain his conduct towards younger women was always pure and above reproach. I’m so thankful for all the young men in our churches that strive to treat young women as their sisters in Christ in all purity. It is a blessing to the younger woman and to our fathers as well. Thank you!

3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

I think the general principle here is to help the needy who are truly needy. This passage describes a “real” widow as one who has been left alone; she has no one else to support her.

“Honor widows”: In the days the New Testament was written, there was no social assistance system from the government. In that day there was one especially vulnerable class - elderly widows, who were without means of support from husbands or grown children, and without means to adequately support themselves. These are those who are really widows. This shows that widows indeed are those that have neither children nor nephews, no relatives that either will or can help them, or no near relatives alive.”-Adam Clark

Those who are really widows are to receive honor - which in this context means financial support and care, yet given in a dignified and honorable way. The church, not just the leaders, but the whole church should help those who don’t have family who can assist them.

While reading this, there is a lady that comes to mind that attends the church in Jacksonville that is like a grandmother to all the members of the church. Her name is Lois Anthony and this is a lady that is deserving of honor. She has loss not one, but two husbands during her lifetime and on top of that, has loss her only daughter. Not only is she encouraging to those around her, but she prays about two hours a day for the people in our church above and beyond her quiet time in the morning. I have the privilege of having her in my home group and what an inspiring person she is. She constantly acknowledges that though there are many times of feeling lonely, God is all she needs and she relies on Him as her strength in those times. What a testimony and example of one that trusts in the sovereignty of God. Sorry to ramble, but these are the type of ladies that need our care and support on a regular basis, just as they care and pray for us.

“Is dead while she lives”: The life lived for mere pleasure and ease is no life at all. It is a living death, whether lived by a young widow or anyone else.