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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 1 Timothy 5
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. In light of the larger historical setting of the book, these words of pastoral advice are probably also colored by the false teachers' actions
1. problems with widows (1Ti_5:3-16)
2. problems with elders (1Ti_5:17-25)
3. problems with slaves (1Ti_6:1-2 a)
4. problems with false teachers (1Ti_6:2-10)
a. doctrine
b. wealth
B. There are three terms used in this section in two differing senses
1. "elder"
a. older man (1Ti_5:1)
b. house church leader (1Ti_5:17)
2. "widow"
a. female survivor of a marriage that the church helped (1Ti_5:3-8)
b. special category of female church worker that the church hired (1Ti_5:9-16)
3. "honor"
a. respect (1Ti_5:3; 1Ti_5:17)
b. salary (1Ti_5:3; 1Ti_5:17)
c. or both
C. In some ways chapter 5 relates to chapter 3. The "elders" of 1Ti_5:17 refer to the "overseers" of 1Ti_3:1 and the widow's "list" (roll) of 1Ti_5:9 refers to the "women" of 1Ti_3:11.
I realize that this distinction between widows the church helped (1Ti_5:3-8) and widows who served the church seems a bit of a stretch, but here is why I hold this view.
1. The qualifications of a widow are strict (cf. 1Ti_5:5; 1Ti_5:9-10). Does this imply that the church only helped some very special widows?
2. The "roll" of 1Ti_5:9 seems to be a special list of widows.
3. The "list" (cf. 1Ti_5:9) or the pledge (literally "the first faith") in 1Ti_5:12 implies more than just a promise not to remarry. Why would remarrying be a problem? It would remove the widow from needed church support, but what if it were a contract for church employment? In this way the church helped needy persons (i.e., salary), yet also got their services (i.e., serving other women).
4. The discussion of "elders," which starts at 1Ti_5:17, involves church paid help.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. List the paid staff positions of a local church mentioned in chapter 5.
2. List the qualifications of a true widow who was to receive funds from the church.
3. How are 1Ti_5:7-8; 1Ti_5:14 related to 1 Timothy 3?
4. How does 1Ti_5:20 relate to 1Ti_5:24-25?
5. Does the Bible teach total abstinence from alcohol?