1 Timothy 5-6
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Chapter 5
1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers – “older man” is the Greek word presbuteros.
3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need – The Greek word chēra (“widow”) means “bereft,” “robbed,” “having suffered loss,” or “left alone.”
5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help – Cf. Luke 2:36-37.
12 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry 12Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge – The widows on the list would make a vow to devote their lives to the service of the Lord(see Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21; Acts 5:1-10).
17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching – The word “honor” (timē,) generally refers to “respect,” or “regard” (cf. 6:1). It can also refer to financial support (cf. Matt. 27:6, 9; Acts 4:34; 1 Cor. 6:20 where it is translated “price”.
19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses – Cf. 1Sam 24:5-7.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure – The practice had its roots in the Old Testament (cf. Num. 8:10; 27:18–23; Deut. 34:9). It derived from the practice of laying hands on a sacrificial animal to identify with it (cf. Ex. 29:10, 15, 19; Lev. 4:15). Laying on of hands also symbolizes identification in the New Testament (cf. Matt. 19:15; Acts 8:17–18; 9:17; Heb. 6:2).
23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses – The Talmud, Hippocrates, and others all spoke of the value of wine in countering stomach ailments caused by impure water. (Gordon D. Fee New International Biblical Commentary: 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus [Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1988], 135).
Chapter 6
3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching – Sound is from the Greek word hugiainō in which we get the English word “hygiene”.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain – Contentment autarkeias literally means “self-sufficiency.” Yet the sufficiency of oneself is due to the sufficiency of God (cf. 2 Cor. 9:8; Phil. 4:11, 13 for other uses of the same word). – The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament Copyright 1983, SP Publications, Inc.
9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction – Cf. Psalm 62:10.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith – Fight is from agōnizomai, from which we get our English word “agonize”.
13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession – Cf. John 18:33-38.
16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen – Cf. Ex 33:19-20.
21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you – Cf. 2Peter 2:1-3.
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