March 30th 2025 1 Timothy ch 5 v 1 - 13
To Men. 5 v 1.
Rebuke not an Elder. The violent rebuke or attack is forbidden.
But intreat.
To Women, Especially Widows. 5 v 2-16.
V 2. with all Purity. Respectability.
V 3, Indeed ( cf. v v. 5,16). Those who are widows and desolate oralone in the world - should be cared for by the church.
the whole discussion should be considered in the light of OT teaching, where care for the widow is emphasized ( James 1 v 27).
V 4. Children or Nephews. Grandchildren.
Supported At home. Toward their own family ( ASV).
V 5. She that is a widow Here is a description of the true widow, who may serve the church and be cared for by the church (cf. Lk 2 v 36,37).
V 6. Liveth in pleasure. This is the contrasting mention of unacceptable widows; more details are added later.
This expression occurs only here and in James 5 v 5 and means voluptuous and indulgent living, which indicates a state of spiritual death.
V 7. Give in charge. Paul is keenly conscious of the effect on the testimony of failure at the home level.
Hence these things are to be commanded 4 v 11, as Paul himself solemnly charges Timothy (6 v 13).
V 8. Failure to provide is a denial of faith.
Infidel. Unbeliever.
V 9. Here and in the next verse specific details are given about the qualifications of the widow the church is to support.
Not ... under threescore years old. (Calvin) gives two reasons why Paul does not wish any to be admitted under sixty years of age.
First, "Being supported at the public expense, it was proper that they should have already reached old age.''
Second, there was a mutual obligation between the church and these widows: the church was to relieve their poverty, they were to consecrate themselves to the ministry of the church "which would have been altogether intolerable, if there were still a likelihood of their being married again."
Having been the wife of one husband. "It may be regarded as a sort of pledge of continence and chastity, when a woman has arrived at that age, satisfied with having had but one husband.
Not that [Paul] disapproves of a second marriage, or affixes a mark of shame to those who have been twice married; (for, on the contrary, he advises younger widows to marry.)
but because he wished carefully to guard against laying any females under a necessity of remaining unmarried, who felt it to be necessary to have husbands"
V 11. Wax wanton. This occurs only here and in Rev 18 v7.
Such conduct is incompatible with salvation and would suggest that Paul does not consider these
"widows indeed."
The idea of widowhood may have a wider application than actual bereavement; it may mean separation from a husband.
For OT background, see II Sam 20 v 3 and Isa 54 v 4-6.
Israel is a rejected, adulterous wife and widow because of separation, not because of the death of the husband.
Hence these women, who are further described as having set aside their first pledge (faith, promise, I Tim 5 v 12) and as having turned aside to Satan (v. 15) may be unfaithful wives who have been divorced.
V 12. Damnation, Remarriage under conditions of separation for unfaithfulness would bring the condemnation of the Lord ( Lk 16 V 18) . First faith. First pledge or promise.
So leaving one's "first love" (Rev 2 V 4) may be parallel and equal to spiritual unfaithfulness.
News from the Church New dates
2nd April …..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
16th April…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
18th April …..Good Friday 10am An hour at the cross
20th April ….Easter Sunday 10-45 am and 6-30pm
ANSWERS TO 23rd March QUESTIONS
1) Jacob 2) David 3) Benjamin 4) Rehoboam 5) Esau 6) Moses 7)Belshazzar 8) Ezekiel 9) Jonathan 10) Solomon 11) Daniel 12)Samuel 13) Joshua 14) Methuselah 15) Eli 16) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is OLD TESTAMENT MEN
1 Who led God’s people when they attacked Jerico?
2 Daniel interpreted which Kings dreams?
3 This man led 300 others to defeat the Midianites?
4 Who sold his birthright?
5 Who was the giant David killed?
6 Who was swallowed by a fish?
7 Which prophet was a shepherd?
8 Who wrote most of the Psalms?
9 Who was Ruth’s husband?
10 Who gave Solomon cedar and fir trees to build the Temple?
11 Who washed himself seven times in Jordon to get rid of hie leprosy?
12 Who is known for his great patience?
13 Who was the father of Rehoboam?
14 Who was called the weeping prophet?
15 Who was Abraham’s promised son?
16 Who was Abraham and Hagar’s son?
Romans ch 8 v 1 and 2
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
God Bless