I Timothy 5
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Rebuke not an elder - That is, an elderly person; for the word πρεσβυτερος is here taken in its natural sense, and signifies one advanced in years. At Ti1 5:17, it is taken in what may be termed its ecclesiastical meaning, and signifies, an officer in the Church, what we commonly call a presbyter or bishop; for sometimes these terms were confounded. There are but few cases in which it at all becomes a young man to reprove an old man, and especially one who is a father in the Church. If such a one does wrong, or gets out of the way, he should be entreated as a father, with great caution and respect. To this at least his age entitles him. The word επιπληξῃς signifies, do not smite; i.e. do not treat them harshly, nor with magisterial austerity. The younger men as brethren - Showing humility, and arrogating nothing to thyself on account of thy office. Feel for them as thou oughtest to feel for thy own brethren.
Open source ↗GENERAL DIRECTIONS AS TO HOW TIMOTHY SHOULD DEAL WITH DIFFERENT CLASSES IN THE CHURCH. (1Ti. 5:1-25) an elder--in age; probably not an elder in the ministry; these latter are not mentioned till Ti1 5:17, "the elders that rule." Compare Act 2:17, "your old men," literally, "elders." Contrasted with "the younger men." As Timothy was admonished so to conduct himself as to give no man reason to despise his youth (Ti1 4:12); so here he is told to bear in mind his youth, and to behave with the modesty which becomes a young man in relation to his elders. Rebuke not--literally, "Strike not hard upon"; Rebuke not sharply: a different word from "rebuke" in Ti2 4:2. entreat--exhort. as brethren--and therefore equals; not lording it over them (Pe1 5:1-3).
Open source ↗Rebuke not an elder,.... By whom is meant, not an elder in office, but in age; for elders by office are afterwards spoken of, and particular rules concerning them are given, Ti1 5:17. Besides, an elder is here opposed, not to a private member of a church, but to young men in age; and the apostle is here giving rules to be observed in rebuking members of churches, according to their different age and sex, and not according to their office and station; and this sense is confirmed by a parallel text in Tit 2:2. Now an ancient man, a member of a church, is not to be rebuked in a sharp and severe way; the word here used signifies to smite or strike; and so the Arabic version renders it, "do not strike an elder"; meaning not with the hand, but with the tongue, giving hard words, which are as heavy blows; reproof is a smiting, and there is a gentle and a sharp one, Psa 141:4. It is with the former, and not the latter, that man in years is to be reproved, when he is in a fault, whether with respect to doctrine or practice, as such persons may be as well as younger ones; and when they are observed to err, they should not be roughly and sharply dealt with: but entreat him as a father; as a child should entreat a father, when he is going out of the way; give him honour and respect, fear and reverence, and persuade him to desist; entreat and beseech him to return to the right path of truth and holiness; use him as a father in Christ, that has known him that is from the beginning, and as of long standing in the church: this must be understood of lesser crimes, and not of atrocious and flagitious ones, obstinately continued in, to the great scandal of religion, and dishonour of the Gospel; for then severer methods must be used; see Isa 45:20. But though this is the sense of the passa…
Open source ↗Here the apostle gives rules to Timothy, and in him to other ministers, in reproving. Ministers are reprovers by office; it is a part, though the least pleasing part, of their office; they are to preach the word, to reprove and rebuke, Ti2 4:2. A great difference is to be made in our reproofs, according to the age, quality, and other circumstances, of the persons rebuked; thus, and elder in age or office must be entreated as a father; on some have compassion, making a difference, Jde 1:22. Now the rule is, 1. To be very tender in rebuking elders - elders in age, elders by office. Respect must be had to the dignity of their years and place, and therefore they must not be rebuked sharply nor magisterially; but Timothy himself, though an evangelist, must entreat them as fathers, for this would be the likeliest way to work upon them, and to win upon them. 2. The younger must be rebuked as brethren, with love and tenderness; not as desirous, to spy faults or pick quarrels, but as being willing to make the best of them. There is need of a great deal of meekness in reproving those who deserve reproof. 3. The elder women must be reproved, when there is occasion, as mothers. Hos 2:2, Plead with your mother, plead. 4. The younger women must be reproved, but reproved as sisters, with all purity. If Timothy, so mortified a man to this world and to the flesh and lusts of it, had need of such a caution as this, much more have we.
Open source ↗5:1–6:2a 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.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
ἐπιπλήσσω (epiplḗssō, G1969) — to chastise, i.e. (with words) to upbraid μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) παρακαλέω (parakaléō, G3870) — to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) νέος (néos, G3501) — "new", i.e. (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
Open source ↗πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) μήτηρ (mḗtēr, G3384) — a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote) νέος (néos, G3501) — "new", i.e. (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate ἀδελφή (adelphḗ, G79) — a sister (naturally or ecclesiastically) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἁγνεία (hagneía, G47) — cleanliness (the quality), i.e. (specially) chastity
Open source ↗τιμάω (timáō, G5091) — to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere χήρα (chḗra, G5503) — a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively ὄντως (óntōs, G3689) — really
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἴ τις (eí tis, G1536) — if any χήρα (chḗra, G5503) — a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… τέκνον (téknon, G5043) — a child (as produced) ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than ἔκγονον (ékgonon, G1549) — a descendant, i.e. (specially) grandchild μανθάνω (manthánō, G3129) — to learn (in any way) πρῶτον (prōton, G4412) — firstly (in time, place, order, or importance) εὐσεβέω (eusebéō, G2151) — to be pious, i.e. (towards God) to worship, or (towards parents) to respect (support) ἴδιος (ídios, G2398) — pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate οἶκος (oîkos, G3624) — a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀμοιβή (amoibḗ, G287) — requital
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. χήρα (chḗra, G5503) — a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively ὄντως (óntōs, G3689) — really καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μονόω (monóō, G3443) — to isolate, i.e. bereave ἐλπίζω (elpízō, G1679) — to expect or confide ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very προσμένω (prosménō, G4357) — to stay further, i.e. remain in a place, with a person; figuratively, to adhere to,… δέησις (déēsis, G1162) — a petition προσευχή (proseuchḗ, G4335) — prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel) νύξ (nýx, G3571) — "night" (literally or figuratively) ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. σπαταλάω (spataláō, G4684) — to be voluptuous θνήσκω (thnḗskō, G2348) — to die (literally or figuratively) ζάω (záō, G2198) — to live (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things παραγγέλλω (parangéllō, G3853) — to transmit a message, i.e. (by implication) to enjoin ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ὦ (ō, G5600) — (may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with G1487 (εἰ) and its… ἀνεπίληπτος (anepílēptos, G423) — not arrested, i.e. (by implication) inculpable
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἴ τις (eí tis, G1536) — if any προνοέω (pronoéō, G4306) — to consider in advance, i.e. look out for beforehand (actively, by way of maintenance for… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἴδιος (ídios, G2398) — pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μάλιστα (málista, G3122) — (adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly οἰκεῖος (oikeîos, G3609) — domestic, i.e. (as noun), a relative, adherent ἀρνέομαι (arnéomai, G720) — to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are χείρων (cheírōn, G5501) — from an obsolete equivalent (of uncertain derivation); more evil or aggravated… ἄπιστος (ápistos, G571) — (actively) disbelieving, i.e. without Christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively)…
Open source ↗καταλέγω (katalégō, G2639) — to lay down, i.e. (figuratively) to enrol μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… χήρα (chḗra, G5503) — a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively ἐλάσσων (elássōn, G1640) — smaller (in size, quantity, age or quality) ἑξήκοντα (hexḗkonta, G1835) — sixty ἔτος (étos, G2094) — a year γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male)
Open source ↗μαρτυρέω (martyréō, G3140) — to be a witness, i.e. testify (literally or figuratively) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. καλός (kalós, G2570) ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. τεκνοτροφέω (teknotrophéō, G5044) — to be a childrearer, i.e. fulfil the duties of a female parent ξενοδοχέω (xenodochéō, G3580) — to be hospitable νίπτω (níptō, G3538) — to cleanse (especially the hands or the feet or the face); ceremonially, to perform… ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) πούς (poús, G4228) — a "foot" (figuratively or literally) ἐπαρκέω (eparkéō, G1884) — to avail for, i.e. help θλίβω (thlíbō, G2346) — to crowd (literally or figuratively) ἐπακολουθέω (epakolouthéō, G1872) — to accompany πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νέος (néos, G3501) — "new", i.e. (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate χήρα (chḗra, G5503) — a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively παραιτέομαι (paraitéomai, G3868) — to beg off, i.e. deprecate, decline, shun γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ὅταν (hótan, G3752) — whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively… καταστρηνιάω (katastrēniáō, G2691) — to become voluptuous against Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… γαμέω (gaméō, G1060) — to wed (of either sex)
Open source ↗ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… κρίμα (kríma, G2917) — a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime")) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἀθετέω (athetéō, G114) — to set aside, i.e. (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἅμα (háma, G260) — properly, at the "same" time, but freely used as a preposition or adverb denoting close… μανθάνω (manthánō, G3129) — to learn (in any way) ἀργός (argós, G692) — inactive, i.e. unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless περιέρχομαι (periérchomai, G4022) — to come all around, i.e. stroll, vacillate, veer οἰκία (oikía, G3614) — properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not μόνον (mónon, G3440) — merely ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) φλύαρος (phlýaros, G5397) — a garrulous person, i.e. prater περίεργος (períergos, G4021) — working all around, i.e. officious (meddlesome, neuter plural magic) λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Open source ↗βούλομαι (boúlomai, G1014) — to "will," i.e. (reflexively) be willing οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly νέος (néos, G3501) — "new", i.e. (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate γαμέω (gaméō, G1060) — to wed (of either sex) τεκνογονέω (teknogonéō, G5041) — to be a child-bearer, i.e. parent (mother) οἰκοδεσποτέω (oikodespotéō, G3616) — to be the head of (i.e. rule) a family δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… μηδείς (mēdeís, G3367) — not even one (man, woman, thing) ἀφορμή (aphormḗ, G874) — a starting-point, i.e. (figuratively) an opportunity ἀντίκειμαι (antíkeimai, G480) — to lie opposite, i.e. be adverse (figuratively, repugnant) to χάριν (chárin, G5484) — through favor of, i.e. on account of λοιδορία (loidoría, G3059) — slander or vituperation
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD.
Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.
In the same way, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through them.
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.