Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:1 - 5:2
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1Ti_5:1-2
1Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
1Ti_5:1 "Do not sharply rebuke" This is an aorist active subjunctive with the negative particle, which usually means do not start an act. This is a strong Greek term (used only here), which literally means "to strike blows" (cf. 1Ti_3:13). Christians must act differently, they must always act in love with a view toward reconciliation. This advice may reflect the OT admonition to honor the aged in Lev_19:32.
▣ "an older man" This is literally the term "elder" (presbuteros). There are two senses in which this term is used in this context:
1. for an older man (1Ti_5:1)
2. for a leadership position in the local house churches (1Ti_5:17 cf. 1Pe_5:1; 1Pe_5:5)
hyperlink
hyperlink
▣ "but rather appeal to him as a father" This is a present active imperative. Paul's emphasis is for Timothy to treat the members of the house churches as his closest family members (cf. Mar_3:31-35). The honor and respect due "fathers and mothers" may reflect the Ten Commandments (cf. 1Ti_5:4).
1Ti_5:2 "younger women as sisters, in all purity" Because of (1) Timothy's age and (2) the sexual exploitation of the false teachers (cf. 2Ti_3:6), Paul was especially careful to denote purity in relation to the young women.