Lesson 556

(Lesson 556)(02-23-13) 1 Timothy 5:1-16, "Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan. If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed."

This lesson instructs the members of the Church as to how they are to deal with women who's husbands have died. Reference is made here to a "widow indeed", that term defines a woman who has lost her husband and has no family left to care for her. Women of that period could not own property under Jewish tradition, therefore the needs of the "widow indeed" were to be met by the entire Church community. Widows who had adult children were to be cared for by the men in their own families so as not to burden the Church with their upkeep.

Paul instructs the young widows, not to remain with their family but to to seek marriage and to create families of their own in an effort to stabilize their lives.

The underlying, and most important issue in this lesson, is that the Church body is to do whatever it takes to care for the community. A stable, educated Church membership is far more likely to closely adhere to the gospel of Jesus Christ than someone whose life is allowed to dangle in the wind.~