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.