From matters relating to the strictly personal state and behaviour of Timothy, the apostle now proceeds to give a series of directions in respect to the proper method of dealing with persons differently situated as to age and position in life. Reprimand not an elderly person, but exhort him as a brother. That the term
ðñåóâõôÝñῳ
here has respect simply to the relative age, not to the official standing, of individuals, seems plain from the connection; younger men being presently mentioned as another class, and afterwards females, first of a more advanced, and then of a younger period of life. This view was taken by Chrysostom, and is now generally followed, although the other was once the more common, and is that also expressed in the Authorized Version. A man full of years should not, the apostle says, be sharply rebuked, or reprimanded; for such undoubtedly is the force of the verb (
ἐðéðëÞóóù
): it is originally to strike, to beat, and when used of words spoken to any one, indicates reproof of the severer kind—chiding in a rough or acrimonious manner. There was a special propriety in the observance of such a direction by Timothy, being himself still comparatively young, and having consequently to take heed lest his bearing toward his seniors should in any way prejudice his calling (1Ti_4:12). But the exhortation is doubtless to be applied generally; it virtually prescribes a rule of procedure for all Christian pastors. They should, even when called to administer reproof to aged offenders, bear in mind that a measure of respect is due to them on account of their age, and in a tender, subdued tone perform the duty imposed on them. Nor should something of this spirit be wanting in respect also to others; for as the elderly were to be exhorted as fathers, so, the apostle adds, should the younger men as brothers, that is, with kindness and affection, though not unmingled, perhaps, at times with severity; for while the exhorting, as the nearer verb, must be chiefly thought of, we are not altogether to lose sight of the reprimanding, which undoubtedly indicates that there might be room at least for earnest and faithful admonition—exhorting of such a nature as bespoke cause for censure or regret.
Ver. 2. Elderly women as mothers, the younger as sisters with all purity,—the same advice tendered in respect to the female members of the Christian community as had just been given regarding the male, with a marked qualification as to the moral danger incident to work among this portion of the flock: in all purity—so as even to avoid the appearance of anything unbecoming or improper. A most necessary caution for all times!
