The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Timothy — Section 122

Vers. 1-16.-Dealing 'lllitli certain classes in tM (Jliurch. I. BEHAVIOUR OF TIMOTHY TOWARD THE ELDER A1'"'D YOUNGER CHUHCH MEMBERS OF BOTH SEXES. "Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren: the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity." A minister has to deal with people differing in age and sex. If he is a young minister like Timothy, he has a difficult part to act. It may happen that one who is very much his elder is guilty of an offence. How is he to conduct himself toward him? He is not to rebuke him sharply, as the word means, being different from what is employed in 2 Tim. iv. 2, where authority is given to rebuke. .Along with the authority that belongs to his office, there is to be such respect as is due by a child to a father. Entreaty will therefore not be separated from the presentation of duty. If it is younger men that offend, there is not to be wanting the respect that is due to brethren. If it is the elder women who are faulty, they are to be addressed as mothers. "Plead with your mother, plead" (Hos. ii. 2). If it is the younger women who have to be dealt with, there is to be sisterly regard, without the slightest departure from propriety. II. THE CuuBCH BOLL OF WIDOWS. "Honour widows that are widows indeed." The honour requires to be restricted., to harmonize with the definition of them that are widows indeed. It comes to be their being placed (ver. 9) on the special roll of Church widows. Let the honour not be lowered by being too widely extended; let it be con- fined to them that are really deserving. 1. &dusion of those who have claima on children or grandchildren. "But if any widow bath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God." The Church is not to be charged with the care of widows who have children or grandchildren able to care for them. Upon them the duty falls, before falling upon the Church. This is only how a sacred regard for parents should show itself. It is a duty founded on natural justice, viz. requital for services rendered to them by parentL .And it cannot but be pleasing to God, who has laid tlie foundations of it in nature, and who is represented by the parents, so that what is rendered to them is regarded as rendered to him. 2. Qualification of being desolate. "'Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate." The widow indeed is defined as desolate or left alone, i.e. who, needing to be cared for, has none of her own to care for her. (1) Ileligioo of Mr position. "Hath her hope set on God, and continueth in S11pplication and prayers night and day." Havmg no expectation from any earthly helper, she bath her hope set on God, i.e. priniarily for earthly blessings that she needs. She is also by her destitution led to dwell more upon the future than upon the present. She is also by her lolJeliness led to be much with God. She addresses God in connec- tion with her own requirements, but she does not forget the requirements of others; for Mr prayers eitend from day into t.he night, from Dight into the day. Thua ii her OIi, T, 1-25,] 'rHE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTIIY. 115