1 Tim. 5:1-2 - Old people, and Young

1 Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers,
2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters - with complete purity.

1 Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers,

Vs. 1: - "Do not address an older man harshly" - Timothy is in a position of authority in the local church, having been commissioned and sent to do the job. In the process of leading the church there will be people who need correction. We can imagine all kinds of behavior that need correction, or people that will make mistakes, or misunderstand the teachings. These two verses provide advice on how to correct them.
If you are lucky enough as an adult to still have your father alive, do you shout angrily at him when he misunderstands or makes a mistake? I would hope not. My Dad was still driving his little GMC S-10 pickup when in his late 70s or early 80s. Unfortunately, his vision and hearing were less than top notch. But, oh, he loved that pickup. I pleaded with him to stop driving, but he insisted that he was a good driver (in spite of the dings and dents that showed up occasionally). He promised he would not drive out of town, only to the city swimming pool or Dairy Queen). One Sunday afternoon I got a phone call that he and Mom needed to be picked up in a little town about 10 miles away. He and Mom had decided that they wanted to have a nice Sunday drive. Unfortunately, he rear-ended a pickup at a stop sign, and his pickup had to be towed to a repair shop. As a result I took the keys. After it was repaired, I sold the pickup. He was devastated, and angry and sad - he went through the five or seven stages of grief every 15 minutes for several days. I realized that losing that pickup was a loss of freedom, and it was a major loss. I could not shout at him. But I had to remain firm and gentle, to protect others. Eventually he came to accept the decision.

"younger men as brothers" - It not only older men that need to be treated with respect. Assuming you love your brother, do you shout angrily at him when you think he is screwing up? No, you try to reason, cajole, discuss and convince him to change.

2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters - with complete purity.

Vs. 2: - "older women as mothers" - The same question arises when trying to correct older women. Do you upbraid your mother, 'get in her face', shout and stomp around? No, because it is your Mom, you treat her with respect. You figure out ways to help her understand how to change her actions.

"younger women as sisters" - Same rational applies. We normally do not shout (rebuke) family members. We reason with them.

“With all purity” - Paul also urged Timothy to teach ‘with purity’ in chapter 4:12. In that instance, Paul was telling Timothy to lead them in the power of the Holy Spirit. Teaching as he had been taught, and to not be over-bearing or putting on airs. He was not to act superior. The idea of ‘purity’ is a sinless life. ”With all purity” applies to all the people Timothy is teaching and leading. The message applies to us as well. Correcting people requires tact and compassion. No one enjoys being told they have messed up.

Paul is talking about the church in family terms. He is not prohibiting the correction of church members, but doing it with respect. This is a message that has come from ages past. See: Lev. 19:32 (a command to show honor to the ‘grey-hairs’.) Jesus commanded that we deal with people who fall away with gentleness and patience. He is not suggesting we are to let it slide. We meet backsliding head on, with persistence, but with compassion and gentleness. Gentleness does not mean weakness. See: Matt. 18:15-20 The writers of the epistles agree (surprised?) See: Jam. 5:19, 20; Gal. 6:1; 2 Cor. 2:7; 2 Thess. 3:14, 15; Heb. 12:13,14. Likewise, older people are to be respectful. See: Tit. 2:2,3.
The culture of that time venerated older people. Our culture does not so much. The concept in these verses is to treat fellow believers as you would a family member you love and cherish. In all circumstances treat older men and women as ‘Dads and Moms’ - with gentleness and respect. In all circumstances treat younger men and women as younger brothers or sisters.
I also realize that some have had rough family lives - poor relationships with your fathers or mothers, etc. That does not change the exhortation. Treat people with respect, like you want to be treated by others. Treat them with respect, especially when reproof or correction is needed. It is too easy to become harsh and judgmental when dealing with problems. Bring them back into the love of Jesus. Show love and compassion, just as Christ has shown love and compassion to you. Your sin had separated you from The Lord. By His love you are saved. Pass it on.

1 Tim. 4:12-16 - Stay faithful to your calling

12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.
13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you.
15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.
16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Vs. 12: - Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.

"look down on you" - The culture in which Paul and Timothy lived had a tradition of respect for older people. Several instances of longevity are seen in the early history of the Old Testament. Scientists estimate NT life expectancy was probably less than 40 years, due to lack of adequate medical knowledge and practice. Reaching the age of 70 or 80 was a real achievement. It was assumed that having lived that long you must know something. In our culture, ‘old’ means ‘useless’. Remember the saying in the 70's, "You can't trust anyone over 30." Today, if you can't slice and dice with a smart phone, or can't send pictures with an App, or master the social media you have no credibility. (One time in a homeowners association board meeting, one young lady (a homeowner) was upset with the board's decisions. She told us the reason we having trouble with her and her husband’s response was that we were not used to young highly educated people. We looked around the board which included a college professor, two electrical engineers, a banker, and a lawyer. That was the problem, we were old and dumb.) At a high tech conference, one speaker said his teenage daughters only talked on the phone if he and his wife called, otherwise they used text.
However, advances in technology does not necessarily amount to wisdom. In Timothy’s case, youth does not mean ignorant nor incompetent, especially if you have been called to serve the Lord by the Lord.

Timothy's potential problem was that he was relatively young, was a church leader, and would be instructing older men and women. Timothy had the authority to teach. He had been taught by his mother and grandmother. He had been trained by Paul and Barnabas, and by the laying-on of hands he had been commissioned to do this job. Timothy needed the respect of the people in the church. Paul is encouraging Timothy to not let others beat him down, just because he was young. See also: 1 Cor. 16:10,11; Tit. 2:15.

"set an example" - Sage advice in dealing with the lack of respect. Don't try to talk them out of their position. Don't beat them down with preaching and exhortation. Live out your salvation; demonstrate the things you want them to practice. Practice love, and purity, and faith in your speech and conduct. (Pro. 6:12; 2 Pet. 3:11; 1 Tim. 1:14; Tit. 2:7; 1 Pet. 5:3). Non-believers may not accept what you say, no matter how you live. Some will see that you live what you teach, and will want to know why. Your love, your purity, and your faith will be an example they will want to follow.

Vs. 13: - Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

"public reading of scripture" - Remember, the 'scripture' at that time was the Law and the Prophets. The title Old Testament was applied later. The covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and through Moses promising the Messiah is the 'Old'. The covenant promising eternal life, peace with God, freedom from the power of sin is the 'New'. The parts of the NT written at that time were the Gospels of Mark, Matthew and maybe a couple of letters. Most of the NT was written 55-69 A.D. The gospel of John and the Revelation were written much later, 80-90 A.D. Since most people could not read, having the Scripture read aloud was important. In a recent podcast, the speaker said that most of the letters in the NT were not ‘written’ but dictated to a person who transcribed it.

Note: God's grace, mercy, and salvation can be seen in the OT, and we should not avoid it.

My wife shared some goods insights about spending time in the Bible (from a Bible study: "Entrusted", by Beth Moore.):

"No matter who you are, where you've been, or what list of demands vies for your time, do whatever you have to do to get with Jesus and study the Scriptures.

• Because the words of Christ are Spirit and life.
• Because God sends forth His Word with accomplishing power.
• Because the Holy Spirit can bring the Scriptures to life in any life.
• Because those who let the Scripture sink into their bones are transformed.
• Because nothing renews our minds like the Spirit of Christ working through the Word of God.
• Because God could say your name before He said, "Let there be light.
• Because He's got a plan for you that you don't want to miss.
• Because you matter on this planet.

"to exhortation, to teaching" - These terms are the similar. 'Exhortation' is more impassioned, more persuasive, more admonitory than 'teaching'. “Exhortation” reminds me of a coach at halftime - explaining, urging, teaching, correcting, and above all being passionate about it.
When we teach we say, "This is what we do. See these Bible verses.“ Or, “This is how we do it. See the Bible verses and how others have succeeded.” Also, “This is why we do it. See these Bible verses." I see teaching as helping people understand what, why, and how to live the Christian life. Helping catch the vision of living for Christ. Teaching goes on in Sunday school, church sermons, and growth groups. Exhortation happens at retreats, and evangelism crusades. Paul wants both to happen in church - teach them to live the Christian life, fire them up to commit to actually doing it. We all may be guilty of listening to a sermon or speaker and thinking of how nice and interesting those points were, but never acting on those nice and interesting thoughts.

Vs. 14: - Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you.

"Do not neglect the spiritual gift" - As far as I can tell, it wasn't recorded when Timothy was blessed by the laying-on-of-hands by the elders of the church. Paul became aware of Timothy during his second visit to Lystra. Timothy had a good reputation already. See Acts 16:1,2.

(Interesting side note: Paul and Barnabas has just returned from Jerusalem where the huge debate about Gentiles was decided in favor of the Gentiles. The Gentiles did not have to become Jews first in order to be a Christian. So why did Paul circumcise Timothy (Acts 16:3) if being Jewish was not a requirement? My study Bible indicates Paul was not caving to pressure from the Jews, but was indicating his respect for the Jewish faith, and to make it easier to start the conversation with Jews. Almost all of Paul's evangelistic efforts started in synagogues. If these Jews knew that Timothy was half-Jew and uncircumcised, a roadblock would be thrown up immediately. Christianity is not a breakaway from Judaism, but a completion of it. If the Jews perceived that Paul was belittling his own foundations they would not listen or allow him to speak.)

The elders of the church in Lystra spoke up for Timothy indicating that he had been called by God to be an evangelist. Although a young man, he had demonstrated spiritual power and wisdom. By prayer and supplication, these leaders commissioned Timothy to go out preaching and teaching the gospel. See 1 Tim. 1:15. Paul is warning Timothy to be aware that shepherding a church may draw him away from his calling. There was a small pamphlet 'Tyranny of the Urgent', by Hummell. This is the message here, don't let the problem solving pull you away.

"laying on of hands..." - I have never questioned this practice, having grown up in the church. It is a churchy thing we do, not quite understandable at first blush but we always do it, so it must be okay. (See also: notes for 1 Tim. 5:22.) The Levites, in the book of Numbers, are being commissioned to do the Lord's instructions in the Jewish community. The idea of commissioning is that authority has been granted to that person, and it is done before the congregation so they will know. See Num. 8:10, 12; 27:18-20. In Deuteronomy, Joshua is commissioned as the next leader of the Jews as they go into Canaan. See Deut. 34:9.

From this we can see that Timothy has been granted the authority by the church, and Paul is urging him to fulfill that commission.

Vs. 15: - Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.

"be absorbed in them" - This phrase, coupled with 'take pains with these things' is an exhortation and a warning to Timothy. His job is not 'a walk in the park'. This is not for the flippant, the lazy. Devote yourself to study of scripture so you are ready to answer questions about the faith.
this message also applies to us: Devote yourself to prayer so you are renewed and strengthened with the power of the Holy Spirit. Work at teaching and encouragement of the church body. As you do these things all people we see you are serving as you were called.
Paul often used himself as an example. See: Phil. 4:9 “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” See also: 2 Tim. 2:2, 15.

Vs. 16: - Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

"Be conscientious" - More encouragement to be careful how you deal with your fellow believers. People will always be watching you, and some people will not be pleased with what you do. You must be as “Caesar’s wife” - i.e., without a hint of scandal or corruption. So be careful to always act in a manner that will please Jesus. He is the ultimate judge.

"Persevere in this" - Again, you can't do this once and forget it. You must keep on keeping on. If you are faithful to the faith in Christ Jesus, many will come to Him as Lord and Savior.

End of chapter (2/7/17)

1 Tim. 4:6-11 - Teaching the truth is good

6 By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
7 But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness.
8 For physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.
9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.
10 In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.
11 Command and teach these things.

Being a Good Servant

Vs. 6: - By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

"you will be a good servant" - Does this sound like the beginning of 'Mission Impossible', "Your mission, should you choose to accept it..."? Too often in our culture, we are told (or we tell ourselves) it is not our job to point out errors or sins. We are told not to judge the actions of others. There are a couple of ways to respond to these warnings. We can shut up, and let the people go. Or, we can acknowledge that we will all be judged, by God Himself. (See: Eze. 3:18-19 "When I say to the wicked, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself.”)
God does not force us to behave in any certain way. He is not “telling us what to do". So many of us do not want to be told what to do by anyone - neighbors, fellow Christians, or Jesus. God always give us a choice. "If you want to live, come with me" ('Terminator 2'). If you follow Jesus, you live. If you reject Jesus, you die. It's your choice.
Paul is telling Timothy that it is his job to point out behavior and belief systems that will cause the fellow church members to fall away from Jesus. Those heresies prevent believers from living abundantly, and can also lead others to not accept and follow Jesus to life. Pointing out such things" is not judging, it throwing a life saver to someone who may not know they are drowning. Do your job. Christ approves.

"nourished yourself" - This may be taken as praise and as a warning. As praise,Timothy is being commended for using the teachings of the apostles as his guidelines for his ministry. As a warning, he is counseled to not take off on his own, but adhere closely to faith in Christ, and the teachings provided by Paul, Barnabas, Peter, James, Luke, Matthew, John and Mark. We also are given the same praise and warning. Hold on to Jesus and faith in Him. Trust in the Bible, and use it as your guide. Compare the instructions of other teachers to the Scripture. See: "Test the spirits..." (1 John 4:1)

Vs. 7: - But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness.

"reject those myths" - The NASB translates the word 'myths' as 'worldly fables'. Paul has slapped the Jews silly - the Jews who were adding the Law and Hebrew ritual to the faith - and now takes on the Greeks and the Romans. The Jews were the only monotheistic peoples at that time, people who worshipped one God. Paul is not picking on the Greeks, but he knows these religions will lead to death. Look at the pantheon of gods in the Greek and Roman religions - Zeus, Aphrodite, Mars, Vulcan, Pluto, Mercury, Venus, etc. Pay attention to the relationship of mankind and these gods. They toy with men, doing things just to watch them suffer. The multitudes of gods is replicated in the Hindu religion, in the North American Indian, as well as the tribes and peoples of Central and South America.

The idea is worldly fables are not righteous and holy stories, but are profane.

"godless and gullible" - Again, other translations are closer to the original words - "worldly fables fit only for old women". Note the NET (New English Translation) is more politically correct using 'godless and gullible'. In the phrase 'old wives tales' (OWTs), the emphasis is not on 'old wives', but 'old... tales'. These stories are not true, but have the ring of truth, told to children to scare them into behaving. Ghost stories, or boogie men, or monsters under the bed are all samples. Our modern OWTs are 'cops are pigs, out to kill blacks', or 'black people are lazy, and only want to rob you', or 'all Mexicans are criminals, coming to steal our jobs', or 'white people have privilege and are racists.'
Some theological OWTs include: 'God is dead', or 'God is too busy to care about your little problems', or 'religion is a crutch, only the weak believe', or 'You believe in God? How can you reject science?', or 'Through the advances in science, we can perfect our society so we do not need God." All of these types of statements are attempts to divert your focus from the only One who can save you - Jesus Christ the Lord. When Paul wrote this, he was dealing with predominant world religions - those of the Greeks, Romans, and the Jews. 'Worldly fables' did not apply to the Jewish faith (Judaism and Christianity were the only monotheistic religions in the world at that time). The reason that 'godless' and 'gullible' go together is when a person rejects God and His guidance in life, that person has no reliable standard on which to base his life decisions. Anything is possible, nothing is forbidden. That person has no basis to discern good and evil.

"train yourself for godliness" - The Christian faith is simple, but not easy. Do not expect to drift along the stream of life, like a 'Pooh-stick' dropped off the bridge (See the Winnie the Pooh stories). We are to be fully involved in living and growing in the faith. He has designed 'work' for us to do. (Eph. 2:10) We to 'work out' our salvation - not work for salvation, but to do the deeds for which we have been designed. (Phi. 2:12) We are grow and mature in our faith. In Hebrews, the writer is chiding us for stagnating in our growth. (Heb 5:12-14) The exhortation in those verses is to not maintain the status quo, go along to get along, go with the flow, but work at it, grow in it, use your faith to be a better Christian, a better witness, to be able to tell the difference between good and evil, right and wrong. Discipline yourself for His sake, to demonstrate His work in you. It was said that a person had been a Christian for 30 years. A sage asked if that was 30 years of experience, or just one year of experience 30 times?

Vs. 8: - For physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.

"physical exercise has some value" - Paul is not dismissing physical discipline - exercise or dieting. Remember, Paul also told us that our bodies are 'temples' for the Holy Spirit. (See: 1 Cor. 3:16,17; 6:19) Picture in your mind the National Cathederal in Washington, D.C., or St. Paul's Cathedral in London, St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, Norte Dame in Paris. These magnificent 'temples' are garbage compared to you. The most Holy God, the Savior Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit does not live in any of those buildings. God may be in those buildings, but only when a believer is there. If you are horrified if a terrorist or a vandal defaces one those temples, good. Do not deface your body by neglect or abuse. Physical exercise and discipline is important in order to present a credible witness for Jesus. On the other hand, these temporary temples (tabernacles, or so to speak) will be replaced by a new and perfect body, suitable for heaven.

"godliness is valuable in every way" - So, while it is important to stay healthy, it is more important that your spiritual condition is growing and maturing in Christ. Jesus said, "Follow me", and "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength", and "Love your neighbor as you love yourself", and "Do unto others as you would have them do to you", and "Love one another", and "Go into all the world." Pretty simple, don't you think? Almost the whole rest of the New Testament is dedicated to helping us know how to pull off those simple commands. We are to do these things while being controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. He has been given to as a guarantee to the promises made by Jesus. He has been given to us to teach us how to "work out our salvation in fear and trembling."

"It holds promise" - Do not misunderstand what I am about to say. There is the promise of heaven - "the life that is to come." It would be kind of discouraging if our only hope is heaven. Some one once described that as 'Pie in the sky, bye and bye." The opportunity to go to heaven is wonderful. But, if that is all there is, you could almost feel cheated. Why do I say that? Life here on earth is messy, hard, dirty. We face frustrations, limitations, pain and suffering, as well as joy. If we must endure life on earth just to get to heaven (because heaven is all there is), why wait? Let's get there, right now! However, for our benefit and because of God's mercy, heaven is not all there is. There also is the promise for the "present life." Just as the Jews were to be ambassadors for God to the unsaved world, we too are here to help others come to know Him. More than that, without that "something else" life here would be a slog through the messy, hard, dirty world with a job we have to do. We would be in a world that is antithetical to Jesus and His message of salvation. Godliness, becoming more and more like Jesus, is not all on us. We need to be available, ready to go, and willing. WE ARE NOT ALONE. (This is not a science fiction or horror movie.) Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Teacher. (See: John 14:13-17, 26-27; John 10:11) Living 'abundantly' is not a slog through misery. Working out your salvation is not stumbling along as though in darkness (See: Isa. 59:9-10 - Yes, I know this verse is about the Jews stumbling along because of their rebellion against the commands of God, and were beset all round). Yet, if you and I do not rely on the Helper and His teaching, we are stumbling along a dark path at dusk without a flashlight, groping our way along. That is the promise for this life - joy and guidance for you and I. Paul emphasizes this in 1 Cor. 15:19, Jesus has given us hope for living here and now, in this dark and sinful world, but there is more! Praise the Lord!

Vs. 9: - This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.

"trustworthy" - Paul uses this phrase three times in this letter - see 1 Tim. 1:15, 3:1 (twice in two other letters). You can stake your life on this. The 'this' is that godliness is profitable in all things, and that godliness is believing in Christ, crucified for our sins and resurrected to His and our glory. Our glory is based on His work, not on what we have done. Godliness is also avoiding myths and fables, holding to the truth and basing your life and behavior on that faith. I know I have said this several times, but it is worth repeating. You are not the same person you were before Jesus became your savior. You should not live as if Christ is not in your life. You are a new creature, the old has passed away, behold the new has come. 2 Cor. 5:17

Vs.10: - In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.

"this is why we work hard" - Paul's life had changed - from a persecutor and a prosecutor of believers to the most effective evangelist and prolific defender of the faith. He had hated Christians, hunting them, running them to ground. Arresting them. Delivering them to the authorities. Now, in Christ he preaches the gospel, builds churches, and is delivered to the authorities. I doubt that many of us has had such a dramatic change in our lives. I fully understand that we should not compare ourselves to others - we each are responsible for ourselves.
There are two (2) possible places to which "this is why" refers:

1. the trustworthiness of godliness being applicable to this life and the life to come
2. the hope fixed on the living God, the Savior.

Both possibilities work: you work hard because of your focus on godliness; you work hard because God has saved you and you want to please Him. From your personal experience - don't you like to work hard because you believe in the company that employs you? If your boss tells you a raise is coming your way because of your work, doesn't that put a spring in your step, a little more effort gladly given? Look at the 'boss' we serve - the Living God! Look at the 'raise' we receive - eternal life in heaven with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

"set our hope" - Our hope is set on the promises the God who spoke the universe into existence, who knows us and loves us anyway, who wants a personal loving relationship with each of us. God is eternal, and is in your life, here and now.

"Savior of all people, especially of believers" - Jesus came to save the world, the whole world. (I think a case could be made that He came not just to save humans, but the world. It was not just humans that suffered from the Fall, but all creation groans. (Rom. 8:22) However, Jesus indicated that not all people will be saved. (Matt. 22:14) Those of us who know and accept the gift of salvation are now different than non-believers. (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 17:14) Salvation is offered to all. God does not force you to accept His gift. There are consequences to rejecting his offer. Until you die, the choice will always be offered. After that, there are no 'do-overs' - (see: Heb. 9:27, 28). Jesus came the first time to save you. The next time He comes, it will be for judgement. The big question, perhaps the only question is, "Is your name in the Lamb's Book of Life?" (See - Rev. 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19).

Vs. 11: - Command and teach these things.

"Command and teach" - Timothy, as well as other teachers and preachers in the following centuries to declare, announce, or charge fellow believers with the message to seek godliness through Jesus Christ our Lord. We also are to discuss with others in order to instruct them, and to deliver didactic discourses, that is teach others that they met teach others also. (See: 2 Tim. 2:2). We are not be left alone, to fumble our way along. We have other Christians who have lived and learned, and they can share their successes and failures. We have the Holy Spirit to teach us.