(This is part of the series exploring Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. You can catch up on the series so far by clicking here. This entry considers Paul’s writings to Timothy covered in 1 Timothy 5.)
There are different metaphors used in scripture to represent the church. The church is referred to as being like a Bride, a Body, a Battalion and a Building among others. The pictures are given depicting elements of the church in a way that readers can relate to and hopefully see how they fulfil those elements in their lives together.
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
1 Timothy 5:1-2 (ESV)
When family terminology is used for the church, however, the writers are not talking in metaphors. God is our Father. Jesus is our brother. We are adopted by faith into His family and that makes those in that position family. As the family is God’s idea and as it is His beautiful earthly portrait of heavenly love, it is no surprise that He expects those who love Him, love the gospel and love His Son to engage with each other as brothers and sisters in His family.
Those bonds do not excuse the members of the family from exercising due diligence with the family that they are a part of by blood. The way the family of God operates is to affect how responsibilities with blood relatives. The role of the family of faith to look after those in real need is touching, but Paul is clear to ensure that those receiving the help really need it. The gospel truth puts in place the right measures for the church to know who to support and how that is developed with others.
The amount that Paul has to say on the matter indicates that this is a serious matter that he wanted Timothy to address in that community. It underlines the clear spheres of responsibility between the family household and the household of faith. Just as leaders in the church are noted for how they deal with matters in the home, the church’s engagement with those who need it is on the proviso that people appreciate the importance of their family household responsibilities.
It is intriguing to see how seriously these teachings are applied today. The instruction might be to Timothy where the church in Ephesus is concerned but Paul is outlining some key principles on the key distinctions of responsibility. The role that the church should actively do especially in caring for those who don’t have a family. Great respect and care is offered especially for those who meet the criteria of being recognised as vital parts of the family life. That list also gives a good indicator of what Paul was expecting as the typical behaviour of believing women.
Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
1 Timothy 5:13 (ESV)
Here once more the role of the family as the first expression of godly character emerges when the contrast is given of how certain widows can be given to exhibiting the behaviour and attitude that goes against the truth of the gospel. This also reinforces the importance of Timothy setting the example in his character to reinforce this teaching that corrects the character of the church. This is all done for the love of Jesus.
For the family structure of the church to operate fairly and in righteousness, Paul makes key recommendations about the treatment of elders in the positive and the negative. Based on what he’s said previously about the standard of character required to be an elder, it should be no surprise that he encourages the church to recognise those who go about teaching and encouraging with ‘double honour’. In these areas they’re labouring for the benefit of the Body of Christ, Paul outlines how it’s fair just as in other areas of life that people get just recompense that those who do that also get it. This is something saints should be keen to support in the light of the work they know they benefit from.
Whether it’s a license to make such works of service a professional matter is something that is not as straightforward. Every believer is a disciple of Jesus on a full-time basis, the sense of an elite leadership set can go against the family structure Paul presents in his encouragement to communities of faith. Those who lead the church are not above others in a hierarchical model – they’re among the family leading as much by an example and lifestyle that God’s family can observe, as through direction and instruction offered.
Such is that responsibility that should have been evident before they’re recognised as elders, that accusations against them have to be well-grounded, investigated thoroughly and, if found to be accurate and persistent, strong public rebuke is the course of action. It reads as though they’re held to a higher level of accountability largely because of the responsibility they have to lead the fellowship of faith with a good reflection of the character of Christ.
In the face of these matters, we can see why Paul is concerned for Timothy to carry out these weighty matters of family arrangement with great care. There’s no rush as far as Paul is concerned when it comes to appointing leaders.
The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgement, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
1 Timothy 5:24-25 (ESV)
The basis on which Timothy can have confidence in God is to trust that whatever is hidden – good or bad – will emerge. This wisdom underpins the measured way in which Timothy cares for the proper set-up of the family of God. It is wisdom that’s a word of caution to those who endeavour to live double lives and get away with secret sins. It is also wisdom that should give cause for assurance for those who endeavour to live in the light of the truth of the gospel. Those that do so, do not need to commend their own actions – they don’t need to publicise themselves.
Questions
- Is the instruction for widows to be cared for as much as possible by their family first still applicable today – why or why not?
- What can be done to encourage the positive characteristics of godly women?
- What can be done to encourage the responsibility of elders?
- Those elders who teach and preach should be paid full time. Is that what Paul is instructing? Why does this matter?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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