John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 5:1

"Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren:" — 1 Timothy 5:1 (ASV)

Do not harshly rebuke an elder. He now recommends to Timothy gentleness and moderation in correcting faults. Correction is a medicine, which has always some bitterness, and consequently is disagreeable. Besides, Timothy being a young man, his severity would have been less tolerable if it had not been somewhat moderated.

But exhort him as a father. The Apostle enjoins him to reprove elder persons as parents; and he even employs the milder term, exhort. It is impossible not to be moved with reverence when we place before our eyes our father or our mother. Consequently, instead of harsher vehemence, we are immediately influenced by modesty. Yet it should be observed that he does not wish old men to be spared or indulged in such a way that they sin with impunity and without correction; he only wishes that some respect should be paid to their age, so that they may more patiently bear to be admonished.

The younger as brethren. Even towards younger persons he wishes moderation to be used, though not in an equal degree; for the vinegar must always be mingled with oil, but with this difference: reverence should always be shown to older persons, and equals should be treated with brotherly gentleness. Hence, pastors are taught that they must not only take into account their office but must also see particularly what is due to the age of individuals; for the same things are not applicable to all. Let it therefore be remembered that if dramatic performers attend to decorum on the stage, it ought not to be neglected by pastors, who occupy so lofty a station.