1 Timothy– Chapter Five I

by Ed Urzi

“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity” (1 Timothy 5:1-2).

Having already focused upon false teachers (chapter one), prayer (chapter two), leadership qualifications (chapter three), and spiritual apostasy (chapter four), Paul the Apostle will now turn his attention to interpersonal relationships here in 1 Timothy chapter five. One Pastoral commentator sets the stage for our look at the opening verses of this chapter by drawing our attention to the familial structure of the church…

“Paul instructs the young pastor about his relationships in the body of Christ. He is not telling Timothy to have a ‘professional’ relationship with his congregation.

  1. He is to consider all the older men as fathers.
  2. He is to consider all the older women as mothers.
  3. He is to consider all the younger men as brothers.
  4. He is to consider all the younger women as sisters, thinking only pure thoughts about them.

In other words, all the people in the spiritual community of the church should be treated like family.” (1)

Another source builds upon this idea in a very candid manner: “Since the church is a family, it cannot be run like the army!”  (2)

In light of this reality, Paul counseled Timothy to interact with other members of the church just as he might engage with the members of his biological family. The first group to be addressed in this manner are men who are approaching (or have entered) their final quarter of life. While some younger members of society often hold little regard for this age group, the Scriptures tell us that it is right to demonstrate respect for those who have reached the autumn and winter of their lives.

For instance, we should not dishonor such men by rebuking them or correcting them in an aggressive, harsh, or abrasive manner. In addition to upholding the general principle behind the fifth commandment, this passage also offers an important psychological insight. Instead of rebuking an elder, 1 Timothy 5:1 tells us that there are better and more effective ways of interacting with those who fit this demographic.

One “better way” involves exhorting (or encouraging) an older man to finish well as he approaches the end of his earthly life. We can find another reminder in the Old Testament book of Proverbs: “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31).

(1) Dick Woodward, New Testament Handbook, pg. 407

(2) Ice, Rhoderick D. “Commentary on 1 Timothy 1-2”. “The Bible Study New Testament”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ice/1-timothy-5.html