1 Timothy 5: Responsibility of Believers
How much respect should we give to the advice of others? Why?
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1 Timothy 5:1–2 Respect the experience and wisdom of your elders as if they were your father, and treat younger men as brothers. Regard older women as mothers and younger women as sisters, avoiding any impure thought.
King James
1 Timothy 5:1–2 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.
How much should we be concerned for the needs of widows?
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1 Timothy 5:3–6 Care for widows as what is typical for women who have lost a husband—people who have a great need for support. If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them serve God by providing support, for this is commendable and pleasing to God. A widow who is entirely alone is left to trust God, praying day and night, looking for his help. Although she’s alive, a pleasure-seeking widow is as good as dead.
King James
1 Timothy 5:3–6 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.
When we have discovered a treasure in the Lord, how do we share that reality so others can appreciate it?
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2 Corinthians 7:4 I speak freely, with confidence, pride, and joy, knowing that out of our distress will come great reward.
Colossians 4:6 Be gracious with your stories, flavoring your message with that which will answer the hunger in everyone’s heart.
1 Timothy 5:7 Make these conditions known to all believers so they may be without reproach.
King James
2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
1 Timothy 5:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
Where is the greater value in sharing the truth, among believers or unbelievers? Why?
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Matthew 7:6 “Do not give something holy to dogs. They will turn and attack, tearing you to pieces. Do not toss your pearls to pigs. They will only trample them under their feet.”
Romans 10:14 But how can people believe Jesus when they haven’t heard what he said and did? They can’t—not unless you’re willing to tell your stories about what Jesus has done for you.
Colossians 1:9 From the day we heard the news, we’ve prayed for your complete knowledge of God’s will, with great wisdom and spiritual insight.
1 Timothy 5:7 Make these conditions known to all believers so they may be without reproach.
King James
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
1 Timothy 5:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
What should we do when our confession doesn’t match our actions?
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1 Timothy 5:8 People who don’t provide for their loved ones have denied the faith they claim to embrace, making them worse than the unbeliever.
King James
1 Timothy 5:8 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.
What kinds of support should young widows receive? Why?
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1 Timothy 5:9–15 Support widows who have been faithful in marriage and are at least sixty years old, those of good reputation, who continue to be diligent in helping others—raising their children, showing hospitality to strangers, giving to the needs of believers. Refuse young widows, because they will marry again, their physical desires being greater than their will to serve Christ. In breaking their vow to serve, they would fall under condemnation. Being socially active but lazy in doing the work of the Lord, they will meddle in people’s business that should not be their concern. They will spread gossip when they should be keeping quiet. I advise young widows to marry, bear children, and take care of their homes, avoiding any reason for their conduct to be criticized. Some have already gone astray, following Satan’s ways.
King James
1 Timothy 5:9–15 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.
What should we do when we lack the resources to meet all the needs?
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1 Timothy 5:16 Widows should depend on relatives for their support so the church can care for the widows who are truly without anyone to help them.
King James
1 Timothy 5:16 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.
Why does one job deserve more respect than another?
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Luke 22:25–27 Jesus said to them, “Pagan kings exercise power over their subjects and are honored as if they cared for the people. You shall not be like them. The greatest among you must behave as the least. The leader is the one who serves. Who is greater, the man who sits at the table or the one who serves him? You think it is the one at the table, but I am with you as a servant.”
1 Timothy 5:17–18 Church leaders who do their jobs well are worthy of extra honor and support, especially those devoted to teaching and preaching, for Scripture says we should not muzzle the ox that threshes the grain.
King James
Luke 22:25–27 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
1 Timothy 5:17–18 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Why might multiple witnesses be important in determining the truth?
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Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, people fall. But with the good advice of many counselors, there is safety.
1 Timothy 5:19 Don’t accept a complaint about a church leader unless it is supported by several reliable witnesses.
King James
Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
When should the words of a witness be questioned or rejected?
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Galatians 1:8–9 If we, an angel from Heaven, or anybody else preaches a message different from what you first heard from us, let him be judged and condemned. You need to hear this, so I’ll say it again: anyone who proclaims a message different from what you first heard from us, let him be abhorred, being evil.
1 Timothy 5:19 Don’t accept a complaint about a church leader unless it is supported by several reliable witnesses.
King James
Galatians 1:8–9 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
How aggressive should church leaders be in confronting sin?
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1 Corinthians 5:6–7 Your boasting is not good at all. Don’t you know that just a pinch of yeast will leaven the entire batch of dough? Get rid of the corrupting leaven and be a new lump, free from contamination, for Jesus Christ, our Passover lamb, has made this possible through his sacrifice.
1 Corinthians 5:10–11 I didn’t mean you had to avoid all contact with promiscuous, greedy, cheating, or idolatrous people, because then you’d have to live somewhere outside of this world. I was saying you shouldn’t be hanging out with such people. Don’t be going out to eat and having fun with the abusive drunkard.
1 Timothy 5:20 As a strong warning to others, rebuke believers for their sins.
King James
1 Corinthians 5:6–7 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1 Corinthians 5:10–11 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1 Timothy 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Under what criteria do Christians most often prefer some people above others?
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1 Timothy 5:21 Before God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and his special messengers, I urge you to be impartial in your judgments, never preferring one person above another.
James 2:1–3 My friends, your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, will not allow you to regard some people as better than others. Suppose a richly dressed man with a Rolex watch enters your assembly, followed by a shabbily dressed man off the streets. You show the rich man to the best seat near you, but you direct the street person to an obscure place in the back.
King James
1 Timothy 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
James 2:1–3 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Where is the just-right balance between rushing and procrastinating?
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Isaiah 40:31 Those who put their trust in the Lord as they work will find strength in him. They will be like eagles, soaring upward when they spread their wings. They will be like the runner who runs the full distance without getting tired. No matter how far they walk, they won’t become exhausted.
1 Timothy 5:22 Don’t be too hasty about appointing church leaders. Stay close to God, and don’t let the sins of others become a part of your life.
Hebrews 10:36 We can be thankful for delays that bring patience, because endurance is essential for receiving God’s promise.
King James
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Why did Paul encourage Timothy to drink “a little wine”?
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Ephesians 5:18 Don’t become intoxicated and lose control, but surrender control to the Holy Spirit,
1 Timothy 5:23 More than just water, drink a little wine to help your stomach problem and getting sick so often.
King James
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
If bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people, how do we identify the consequence of sin?
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John 9:2–3 His disciples said, “Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was his condition caused by the man’s sin or the sin of his parents?”
“Neither one. His blindness is not due to sin but was given so the works of God could be revealed in him.”
Romans 2:5–6 By refusing to repent, the hardness of people’s hearts will eventually bring God’s wrath. On the day when his righteous judgment is delivered, everyone will be judged according to what they have done.
1 Timothy 5:24–25 Sometimes sin has immediate consequences, but at other times, judgment comes later. Likewise, our good works can bring obvious benefits, but at other times the reward is hidden and will be seen later.
King James
John 9:2–3 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Romans 2:5–6 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
1 Timothy 5:24–25 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.