Treat groups in Groups in God's household as family members.

1 Timothy 5:1-2Healthy Relationships in God's Household

Section · 1 Timothy 5:1–6:2

Healthy Relationships in God's Household

Paul's focus on Timothy's covenant responsibility to counter the false asceticism in Ephesus led him to elaborate on some specific responsibilities. Paul told Timothy how to minister to three specific kingdom groups in Ephesus: widows (1 Tim. 5:3-16), elders (1 Tim. 5:17-25) and slaves (1 Tim. 6:1-2). Here we have yet another example of the "all types of people" that the gospel is given to (cf. 1 Tim 2:1-4, 6; 4:9-10; 5:1-2, etc.).

Paul Describes Healthy Relationships between Groups in God's Household. Having addressed Timothy's critical responsibility of correcting false teachers, Paul now addresses Timothy's constructive pastoral relations with identifiable groups in God's household. The apostle's summary instructions (5:1-2) indicate that his household imagery is substantial, not merely metaphorical. Timothy is to relate to church members as family members. Though this section does not take on the formal characteristics of 'household codes' (see Eph 5:21-6:9; Col 3:18-4:1; 1 Pet 2:13-3:7), Paul articulated particular patterns for Timothy to model in relation to widows (5:3-16), elders (5:17-25), and slaves (6:1-2).

Treat groups in Groups in God's household as family members.

Timothy receives pastoral instructions regarding people found in the church (cf. 1 Tim 2:1-4, 6; 5:3-6:2 etc.). We are not all the same, and people who are at different stages of life need to be ministered to uniquely. Older men should be treated somewhat differently than younger men, and older women differently than younger women (cf. Lev. 19:32; Prov. 20:29; Lam. 5:12). We should honor those who are older, listen to them, as they have aged experience. As Knight notes:

Such pastoral admonition must be done, and with the respect due to one who is older. Thus Timothy must treat older men as (os) he would treat his own father os patera. pater is used here in the sense of one's natural father, and Paul probably has in mind the command to honor one's parents (Exod. 20:12; Deut. 5:16; cf. Lev. 19:32; Lam. 5:12b).

Timothy was to exhort or encourage younger men. A good pastor makes appeals to other believers with an attitude of respect that is similar to that shown to family members. Hendriksen clarifies:

Instead of dealing harshly with those who need correction, Timothy must admonish. The verb used in the original means to call aside. This calling aside may be for the purpose of encouraging, comforting, exhorting, entreating, appealing to, or admonishing. It is obviously the latter thought which is predominant in the present passage.

Knight also comments:

Regarding disciples as family members is established by Jesus in the Gospels (Matt. 12:49, 50 par. Mark 3:34, 35; Luke 8:21; cf. Mark. 10:30). Timothy is reminded that in coming with the authority of a minister of Christ he is to regard those younger, not as younger or inferior, but as family peers, i.e., "brothers," and conduct himself toward them in that way (os adelphous). Knight goes on to speak about older women and younger women. He says, "Older women" (presbuteras) a NT hapax, the feminine plural counterpart of the masculine singular form found in 1 Tim 5:1) are to be exhorted "as mothers" (os meteras). meter is used here in the sense of one's natural mother (cf. especially Rom. 16:13). "Younger women" (neoteras, the feminine counterpart of the masculine form in 1 Tim 5:1, found only here; 1 Tim 5:11, 14 in the NT; cf. tas veas in Tit. 2:4) are to be exhorted "as sisters" (os adelphas).

Treat groups in God's household as family members. The purpose statement of the letter focuses reader attention on "how to behave in the household of God" (see note 3:15). Paul applied the metaphor earlier in the letter to qualifications for church leaders (see notes 3:4, 12). In this overarching summary, he characterizes pastoral relations with different groups in specific familial terms. Timothy is not to abuse his authority. Rather, he is to relate to 'older men' as 'fathers,' 'younger men' as 'brothers,' older women as 'mothers' and 'younger women' as 'sisters.

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