The wise Apostle Paul knew that for this young minister, Timothy, to remain above reproach in dealing with the variety of people in his church, he would have to treat them as family. Timothy should not speak harshly; instead, he should appeal to the older men with kind exhortation, respectfully, as if he were speaking to his father. Even correction or rebuke was to be phrased in encouraging terms.In the same way, Timothy was to speak kindly to younger men, as if they were his brothers. He was to lead them gently. Without using the specific term, Paul was speaking about submission. Timothy was to practice submissive gentleness in correcting his seniors. He was to do the same in treating his juniors.
Jesus recognized the personhood of women. They were no longer to be treated as property and, therefore, no longer to be demeaned. Paul affirmed this principle as he explained to Timothy how to treat his sisters in the faith. The most effective method for remaining above reproach would be to treat church members as family members. Thus Timothy should treat the older women as if they were his own mother, and the younger women with all purity as his own sisters.
Today, men in the ministry can avoid improper attitudes toward women by following Paul’s advice. Men who see women as fellow members in God’s family will treat them with all purity—respecting, protecting, and helping them grow spiritually.
Because there were no pensions, no Social Security, no life insurance, and few honorable jobs for women, a widow was usually unable to support herself. But the care of widows was apparently becoming a major burden to the congregation in Ephesus and called for clarification as to who was really a widow qualifying for support. Paul advised Timothy to identify those widows who had no one else to care for them. The responsibility for caring for the helpless naturally falls first on their families, the people whose lives are most closely linked with theirs. Paul stressed the importance of families caring for the needs of widows and not leaving it for the church to do, so that the church can care for widows who had no families. A widow who had no children or other family members to support her was doomed to poverty. The church should care for such widows, meaning both respectful help and material support.
To default on the basic care and support of a family member is the same as denying the faith, for no one can claim love and allegiance to God and at the same time neglect his or her family. To do so makes people worse than unbelievers, for even unbelieving idol-worshipers understood the responsibility of caring for family needs. Believers who neglect the most basic human responsibilities have, for all practical purposes, denied what they believe.
Wherever a group of people work together, conflicts occur. The church and its leaders are not exempt from sin, faults, and mistakes. But criticism may arise for wrong reasons or impure motives—minor imperfections, failure to meet someone’s expectations, personality clashes. Thus Paul called upon the Old Testament stipulation that complaints should not even be heard unless there are two or three witnesses to accuse the person (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15). But just because there were two or three witnesses doesn’t mean the accused was automatically guilty. A thorough investigation of charges was still required.
If an accusation was confirmed, however, discipline was in order. Then if the church leader persisted in that sin, Timothy was to publicly expose the sins and rebuke him. The rebuke must be administered fairly and lovingly for the purpose of restoration, but it should cause all who see it to have a proper fear of God. Timothy could not be lax in dealing with elders who persisted in sin. The witness and reputation of the church to the outside world, as well as its own inner purity, depended on fair but consistent discipline.
One way to avoid the sticky problem of disciplining an elder is to be very careful about who is placed in that important position. Timothy should never be in a hurry about appointing an elder because he might overlook major problems or sins. Choosing church leaders today is a serious responsibility. Not everyone who wants to be a church leader is ready or capable. Timothy needed to be certain of an applicant’s qualifications before asking him to take a leadership position.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)
Those of us who have been entrusted with a position of leadership will some day answer to God for what we have done, how we have lived and led and how we have taken care of the flock. Leadership in the church is not for sissies. My old Pastor used to say, "You don't know what it means to be in leadership until you have blood on your tunic." He was right.
Hebrews 13:17 (NIV) is a daunting verse. It says, "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
I have never pretended that I have it all together, because I don't. But, this promise you. I will give all I have to give. I will work hard, with all my heart. I will preach with all the integrity and passion in my soul. I will stand against evil. I will fight for the unity of our church. I will do my best to never embarrass the church or bring disdain to His name. I long to be a promise keeper.
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