| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren: |
Rebuke not an elder – An elder is not appointed in the Church to brow-beat or to trample down the liberties of others. R4977:5
The apostle did not refer to an elder of the congregation, but a person older than one's self. R4977:5
An aged brother, even if he has erred; have respect to his years. R1586:5
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| 2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. |
As mothers – There was a family sympathy in olden times that we do not see exemplified today. R4977:6
With all purity – With no semblance of undue familiarity. R1586:6
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| 3 Honor widows that are widows indeed. |
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| 4 But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God. |
Piety at home – By caring for their dependent relatives. R2513:5
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| 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. |
A widow indeed – Whose trust is in God and whose conduct is consistent with that trust. R1586:6
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| 6 But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth. |
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| 7 These things also command, that they may be without reproach. |
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| 8 But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. |
If any – This relates primarily to a Christian husband and his duty toward his wife and his children. R4854:1
Provide not – Careth not; neglects. R5229:2
Our own family should be our first charge or responsibility. Charity begins at home. R5376:2
God knows your circumstances and necessities; he declares it to be his will that you care for those whom his providences has placed under your care. R479:2
The husband is not obeying the divine law if he does not provide for his family, no matter for what reason; unless it be disability through sickness. R2488:3
The parent should have something laid up for the necessities of his family in the event of his death. R4854:2
This passage would not apply with the same force as when the apostle spoke these words. One would be making proper provisions, sometimes, when he paid his share of the taxes toward the general weal. R4854:4
"Provide things honest in the sight of all." (Rom. 12:17) F578; R873:3
For his own – Those dependent upon him. R4854:1, 2474:3; F589
As he may be able. R1828:4
God expects of us that we will make reasonable provisions for ourselves and for those for whom we are responsible, our families and our relatives. R2689:1
We are required to put matters in such shape that those dependent on us shall not suffer want. R1280:5
None should make the mistake of supposing that the responsibilities of a family already incurred can be ignored and set aside. R901:4
Insurance of life and property, like poorhouses and hospitals, is merely the putting of the teachings of Christ into a business form. R521:2
There is danger that our necessities be too liberally considered, thus tending to cultivate pride and desire, and to hold us back and hinder our race. R479:4
But when parents attempt to become rich and to leave their children rich, they specially err. R1828:4
His own house – Household; kindred. R4854:1,4, 5229:2
Our own households are our first charge and responsibility. They must have reasonable attention before we could hope to apply the Golden Rule for our neighbors. R2689:1
Communism is not the Lord's arrangement. D479
The members of the body of Christ would be members of our own household, and their temporalities would be in some measure our responsibility. R4854:4
Provide things honest, neat and comfortable for the temporal necessities, and then give them no further thought. R901:6
Denied the faith – "The faith" includes thoughts of love, sympathy, interest and care for others, especially for them of the household of faith. R2474:3
God wishes his people to make reasonable provision for those depending upon him. CR311:6
There would be a lack of love, of sympathy, regarding the interests of the ones neglected. R4854:5
To live contrary to the doctrine one professes would be to deny his faith. R4854:5
Denying their share in Christianity in a most practical form. R2293:3
The New Creature must in certain matters be governed by the obligations of the flesh. F488
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| 9 Let none be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, |
Taken into the number – Enrollment as a permanent or life pensioner. R2293:3
Under threescore years – No widow was to be enrolled as a regular beneficiary of the church's bounty under 60 years of age. R2293:3
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| 10 well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work. |
The saint's feet – The open sandals worn in Bible times made the washing of the feet after a journey a necessity for personal comfort. R3543:1, 5091:3
It became a synonym of service and kindly hospitality. R1101:3, 1293:1, 2293:6, 3543:6
A custom in Palestine. R5091:4
If a widowed sister had shown a humble disposition, Paul would advocate a special care for such a sister in need; for she had manifested a loyal and true spirit. R5091:4
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| 11 But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; |
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| 12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. |
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| 13 And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. |
Busybodies – One who busies himself in the affairs of others, with which he has properly nothing whatever to do. F583
An indication of spiritual weakness, else they would not have so much time to spare in finding fault with others. R4376:1
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| 14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling: |
I will therefore – I will advise therefore. F557
The younger women – Believers, but not consecrated. F557; R1554:2
Marry – Because if they conclude to learn the lessons of life by experience rather than by precept, they will learn faster by marital experiences than in any other way. F557, F558
Marriage is still honorable when two are equally yoked (2 Cor. 6:14) and toil together as trueceptions, the consecrated can best fulfil their covenant by walking alone with God. R1554:1
Bear children – It is a serious error to suppose parentage to be dishonorable or sinful. R4090:6
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| 15 for already some are turned aside after Satan. |
After Satan – The apostle was a firm believer in a personal devil. R3165:6
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| 16 If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. |
Church be charged – Who should not be made financial burdens to the Church. R1554:2
May relieve them – The church help was specially for the real widows--those bereft, and particularly the aged. R2293:3
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| 17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. |
The elders – The power rested with the congregation to reject any teacher according to their judgment of the Word and will of God. R1848:4
That rule well – The prominent elders, especially those bending down through hard work in preaching and teaching. F252[F252:T]
Double honor – So long as teachers were recognized as having been God-provided, and so long as they approved themselves by their conduct and the Word of God, to the congregation, they had more honor than others, and their opinions were given proportionately more weight. R1848:4
Our esteem for others should be "in the Lord." R1571:4
Word and doctrine – Preaching and teaching. F252[F252:T]
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| 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle an ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire. |
Of his reward – The apostles were to expect to find a home and the necessities of life wherever they went, giving back, in exchange for these temporal blessings, the blessings they had been empowered to bestow. R2261:5
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| 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. |
Against an elder – Because the Church has approved his character and because Satan marks him for attack. F293
Accusation – If any brother or sister brings to you an evil report of others, stop him at once, kindly but firmly. R4803:2, 3595:3
Or three witness – Who might be obtained from those who go with the accuser for the second interview; this means that an elder is granted no immunity, but is entitled merely to every right or privilege granted to other brethren. F293
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| 20 Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. |
Them that sin – That commit a public sin of a grievous nature. F301
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| 21 I charge thee in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. |
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| 22 Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. |
Lay hands – May possibly be to ordination by laying on of hands; but this is uncertain. R1957:1[R1957:4]
The early Church had a ceremony of formally laying hands on the heads of their elders, deacons, etc. When the apostles did this, it was the indication of the impartation of the Holy Spirit. Q517:5; R5809:1[R5809:1]
Suddenly on no man – Caution should be exercised in giving anyone a letter of recommendation or a public endorsement. F285[F285:3]
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| 23 (Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.) |
No longer water – Exclusively. R2007:1
Use a little wine – Paul, who sent handkerchiefs and napkins to the sick, sent no napkin or handkerchief, or anointing oil to Timothy, but advised the use of wine medicinally. R4980:1, 2364:6, 2007:1, 1689:4; SM576:1
Its limited use as a medicine is warranted. R1695:6
There is no record of any faith-healing or miracle for the recovery of physical afflictions of the saints, who have been treated physically, much as other men. R712:6
Paul did not advise Timothy to pray for his own healing, nor advised others to pray for him, but advised certain medicines. R4980:1, 2007:1; F653
We, the consecrated, are not authorized to call upon divine power for the healing of our own infirmities. R1689:4
Saints may pray for and be the instruments in healing others, but themselves they cannot heal. R712:6, 1689:4
Often infirmities – Chronic dyspepsia or indigestion. F653; R2364:6
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| 24 Some men’s sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some also they follow after. |
Some men's sins – The "very elect" have all their sins up for judgment beforehand, before the general judgment time for the world. Q833:2; R5318:5, 1471:1, 1397:4, 527:4
Afflictions often come upon the Lord's most devoted saints to try them and prove them, to test their loyalty, zeal and faithfulness, and to refine and cultivate the Christian graces and establish character. R1773:3
Usually those of the Lord's consecrated saints. R1471:1
The Great Company will have its sins up for judgment after the Little Flock. Q833:2
Since nations will have no resurrection as nations, it is but justice that the reaping as well as the sowing should always come in "this present evil world (age)." R2305:3
To judgment Greek: krisis. Includes the thought of trial culminating in a decision that is final, irrevocable. R2430:2
As the sins of Sodom, Gomorrha, Tyre and Sidon. R1618:5
Receiving a measure of punishment in the present life. R5318:5, 4856:4, 1471:1, 1397:4
And some – In some instances. R1618:5
They follow after – As in the more wicked sins (because more enlightened) of Judean cities. R1618:5
But in any event they receive a just recompense of reward either now or hereafter. A145
The punishment of evil doers tarries until the appointed time, the Millennial age. R1618:5
Often the punishments are not meted out in the present life. R5318:5
Into the next life, when some shall be beaten with many and some with a few stripes. R1397:4, 527:5
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| 25 In like manner also there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot long be hid. |
Good works – Whether good works are rewarded now or hereafter, our Lord's assurance is that even the gift of a cup of cold water to one of his disciples shall have its reward. (Matt. 10:40-42) R1655:3
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