1 Timothy 5
Sometimes when we read the Bible the
topics that are covered are rather foreign to us. This stands to reason as the first century is
very different than the twenty-first. 1
Timothy 5 is, in general, concerned with good works; the love and concern
displayed to our neighbors. The focus of
most of the conversation is on widows.
Psalm 68:6 calls God the father of the
fatherless and the defender of widows.
His concern for the most vulnerable among us can be seen throughout the
Scriptures. It is natural, then, that
Paul would turn his attention to the care for widows as at that time there was
no government safety net to help those in need.
In addition, women often did not have property or rights beyond their
husband’s. So when they were widowed
they were sometimes left without provision.
Paul’s instructions are straight
forward. Widows are to be honored and
cared for. The question is: Who should do this excellent work? Paul’s answer points to several sources. First, a widow’s family should take care of
their mother. This is good and right and
upholds the Fourth Commandment, “Honor your father and mother.” Second, if a widow is young enough, she
should marry again and her new husband will provide for her. This sounds foreign in our ears, but marriage
was not the romantic enterprise that it is made out to be today, and arranged
marriages were common. Third, a widow’s
extended family could take her in; her nieces, nephews, cousins, even aunts and
uncles. Finally, if a widow truly had no
one, the church was to provide for her, and she would commit to serving in the
church by her prayers and example of life.
What was to be avoided at all cost was
to allow her to be a gossip and a busybody, for these are destructive both to
the widow (just as they are to us) and to the church.
As forgiven children of God, care and
compassion are regular parts of our lives.
Jesus’ salvation frees us from the tyranny of selfish sin and liberates
us to care for others. When we help
those in need we are doing on an earthly level what Christ did for us – showing
love by meeting us in our need for forgiveness and reconciliation.
Lord Jesus, help me be caring,
compassionate, and active in You. Amen.
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