Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 5

“Exhort” (GK 4151) also means “encourage”; this verb carries through to the end of v.2. The young man Timothy should treat the older men with gentleness and kindness, as he would a father; he must treat the “younger men” as brothers and the “older women” as mothers. Fortunate is the young pastor who has godly “mothers in Israel” in the congregation. In relation to “younger women,” a needed caution is added. They are to be treated as sisters—because the Christians are all one family in the Lord—but “with absolute purity.” The pastor who does not heed this warning will soon be in trouble.

“Exhort” (GK 4151) also means “encourage”; this verb carries through to the end of v.2. The young man Timothy should treat the older men with gentleness and kindness, as he would a father; he must treat the “younger men” as brothers and the “older women” as mothers. Fortunate is the young pastor who has godly “mothers in Israel” in the congregation. In relation to “younger women,” a needed caution is added. They are to be treated as sisters—because the Christians are all one family in the Lord—but “with absolute purity.” The pastor who does not heed this warning will soon be in trouble.

“Give proper recognition to” (GK 5506) reflects a word that means first “price” and secondarily “honor” or “reverence.” In view of the following context, it could possibly mean “give proper compensation to” widows in real need. Timothy is to look after widows who genuinely have no other means of support.

The case is different with a widow who has “children or grandchildren.” In that case, they are to take care of her. “To put their religion into practice by caring for their own family” is literally “to show piety toward one’s own household.” In so doing they would be “repaying” (GK 625) those who brought them up. This is “pleasing” (GK 621) to God.

The Jewish synagogues gave careful attention to the care of their widows, and the early church followed that custom (Acts 6:1). This was due to the fact that in the culture of those days, a widow could not ordinarily find any employment and so would need financial support. Today, with insurance income, social security, and job opportunities, the situation is very different. But each church should still see to it that no widow in its congregation is left destitute. Christian love demands this, and it is especially appropriate in view of the NT concept that all believers are one in Christ, fellow members of the family of God. We should care for each other.

This verse gives the characteristics of a true Christian widow. She must be one who is “left all alone,” i.e., she is childless. Such a woman puts her hope in God, for she has no earthly hopes. She continues in her supplications and her prayers night and day. One is reminded of the widow Anna, who was eighty-four years old. “She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” .