------------------
The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them
to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
--------------------
April 14, 2013
--------------------
Contents:
1) 1 Timothy 5:9-18 (Tom Edwards)
2) News & Notes
-------------------
-1-
1 Timothy 5:9-18
by Tom Edwards
In 1 Timothy 5:9,10, Paul sets forth qualifications for the
widow. This, of course, doesn't mean that only widows who meet
these qualifications could ever be financially assisted by the
church. For the church can help needy saints -- whether male
or female, married, single, or bereft of a spouse -- but those who
do meet these qualifications were to be "put on the list." The
KJV renders that phrase as "taken into the number" -- and the number
being those other widows who had also met these
qualifications. This, therefore, was a list for the
needy widows who would be receiving financial assistance on a more
regular basis than that of the other saints who had received
benevolence from the church.
In a time in which there were no welfare programs, SSI, or other
financial assistant programs run by the government, this "list"
would be a great help to the saint who was a needy widow who met the
qualifications. The phrase "put on the list" or "taken into
the number" is from just one Greek word, which Thayer shows to mean
thirdly, "to set down in a list or register, to enroll."
To be enrolled on this list, Paul shows the following
qualifications:
1) "not less than 60 years old"
2) "having been the wife of one man." Some folks take this to
mean "the wife of one man at a time," but that appears to be adding
to what is said. Though the Bible shows that a woman could be
Scripturally married more than once (if she had divorced her
previous husband or husbands for fornication, or they had died), yet
this qualification in 1 Timothy 5:9 of being "the wife of one man,"
shows that she must have been married only once. And though we
might not understand the reason for that, it is what the Holy Spirit
directed -- just as He put her age to be 60 or older.
3) In addition, she is to have a "reputation for good works"; and
not only a "reputation," but also, as the verse closes, good works
that she has "devoted" herself toward.
4) Paul also lists, "if she has brought up children." This
would not have to necessarily be children she gave birth to, but
children she raised.
5) Paul then includes, "if she has shown hospitality to
strangers." This is also commanded of every Christian in
Hebrews 13:2: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for
by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."
Though their were inns for lodging in those days, they were not
nearly as many as there are today; and perhaps rooms in them were
not always available, as in the case of Joseph and Mary when they
had come to Bethlehem (Luke 2:7).
6) Next, Paul says, "if she has washed the saints'
feet." Foot washing was never a religious observance of the
church. Rather, it had been part of the secular custom or
culture for hundreds of years and viewed as the humblest of duties,
which was usually carried out by the lowliest member of the
household, such as a servant. But, at times, the guests were
provided with water by their host in order to wash their own
feet. Consider these examples: 1 Samuel 25:40,41: "When the
servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her,
'David has sent us to you to take you as his wife.' She arose
and bowed with her face to the ground and said, 'Behold, your
maidservant is a maid to wash the feet of my lord's
servants.'" Also Genesis 24:32: "So the man entered the house.
Then Laban unloaded the camels, and he gave straw and feed to the
camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were
with him." Genesis 43:24: "Then the man brought the men into
Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and
he gave their donkeys fodder." Foot washing was one of the
ways in which a host would show hospitality in days long ago -- and
even if it were in just providing the water for one to wash his own
feet. For that would still be a welcomed offer to the visitor,
especially those who had journeyed quite a distance by foot on hot,
sandy or dirty roads, with just opened sandals or soles tied to
one's feet.
It's interesting to note that though foot washing was just a
commonplace duty, yet it is sandwiched in the list between "having a
reputation for good works" and "has devoted herself to every good
work." So even the lowly task of washing the feet of others,
God had viewed as being a good work in those days.
We can apply that with many simple, commonplace tasks that a person
could do today, which would also be considered a good work -- such
as running an errand for someone who is sick and bedridden. Or
keeping in the line of hospitality, offering refreshment to a
visitor.
7) "if she has assisted those in distress." The KJV renders
this as "relieved the afflicted." The Greek word for
"distress" or "afflicted" in this verse is seen to have primarily
meant "to press (as grapes), press hard upon." And from that
came the figurative meaning of "to trouble, afflict, or distress,"
as Thayer shows. Vine points out that this Greek word "has
reference to sufferings due to the pressure of circumstances, or the
antagonism of persons." He also shows that "Both the verb and
the noun..., when used of the present experience of believers, refer
almost invariably to that which comes upon them from without."
8) "and if she has devoted herself to every good work." Though
all of these were good works, none of them are referring to acts of
worship for when the church assembled. Rather, they are individual
good deeds that pertain to a widow in her every-day
routine.
Paul then has a word for younger widows in 1 Timothy 5:11-15: "But
refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual
desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, thus
incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous
pledge. At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they
go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips
and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.
Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep
house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; for some have
already turned aside to follow Satan."
The KJV renders the phrase "But refuse to put younger widows on the
list...." as, "But the younger widows refuse...." Though the
phrase in the NASB, "to put...on the list," is in italics, it is
consistent with the meaning of the verse and helps us to better
understand it. For this verse is not teaching that a younger
widow could never receive financial aid from the church; but it does
teach that she is not to be put on this list of older widows who had
met the qualifications.
One of the reasons Paul gives for why the younger widows are not to
be put on this list is because "when they feel sensual desires in
disregard of Christ, they want to get married." There is
certainly nothing wrong for a widow to want to get married, for Paul
even instructs the younger widows to do that in verse 14. So
the condemnation they have incurred (in verse 12) is not simply
because they want to get married. But it appears that these
"sensual desires" are giving them a wandering spirit away from their
commitment to the Lord. As Paul states, they had "set aside
their previous pledge." Some have taken that to mean a "vow of
celibacy"; but if that is so, why does Paul instruct the younger
widows to marry? Since they had been Christians, then they
were people who had pledged themselves to the Lord; but their
sensual desires are leading them away from that pledge. We can
compare this to the Lord's rebuke of the church at Ephesus: "But I
have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the
deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove
your lampstand out of its place--unless you repent" (Rev. 2:4,5).
These younger widows with their wandering spirit had ventured into
being idle, gossips, busybodies, and talking about improper
things. The Greek word for "idle," in this verse, is "argos,"
which is defined as "1) free from labour, at leisure 2) lazy,
shunning the labour which one ought to perform" (Thayer).
Though we might think of being idle as "doing nothing," it appears
that this person was very active -- but in the wrong things: going
about from house to house as a gossip and a busybody. So she
was busy -- but busy in those things devoid of value and of which
she should not have been involved.
In addition to "idle," the NASB also translates this Greek word as
"careless," "lazy," and "useless."
Not only do these widows become idle, but also gossips, which the
KJV renders as "tattlers." The Greek word appears to mean more
than merely gossiping. Thayer defines it as "of persons
uttering or doing silly things, garrulous, babbling." One of
the definitions of babble is "2) to talk idly, irrationally,
excessively, or foolishly; chatter or prattle." And garrulous
is defined as "excessively talkative in a rambling manner, esp.
about trivial matters."
Not only are these widows idle and gossips, but also "busybodies,"
from the Greek word "periergos," which primarily means "busy about
trifles and neglectful of important matters... especially busy about
other folks' affairs..." (Thayer).
Paul's remedy for this is to instruct the younger widows to marry
(v. 14). In the NASB, the word "widows" is in italics; but
that is certainly whom Paul has in mind for this instruction --
the younger widows of whom he had just been speaking.
The KJV uses the phrase "younger women," but the only Greek word for
that is the one for "younger." Thayer defines the Greek word as
"young" and "youthful." It can also be used as "recently born"
or as "new." So it is to young widows to whom Paul is
addressing this part -- and those of whom their age would not
prevent them from having children.
The ASV uses the phrase "rule the household," as speaking of one of
the responsibilities of the wife. This, however, might sound
contradictory to the husband being the head of the household and the
one to rule over it; but some other versions can help us see this
more clearly: The NASB, for instance, renders it as "keep
house." Especially in having children, the woman of the
household has not only a house to take care of, but also children to
watch over and raise properly -- and all of that can be under
the headship of the husband. And since children are commanded
to obey their parents in the Lord (Eph. 6:1) then, of course, that
implies that both parents have the right to rule over their children
-- and not just that which the father would do.
Paul then says in 1 Timothy 5:16, "If any woman who is a believer
has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not
be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed."
Paul again shows the need for family responsibility. And one
reason for this is so the church will be able to assist those needy
saints who genuinely are without any other source of financial
assistance.
The word "dependent" is in Italics, so not in the original; but it
is true to the meaning of the verse. For it is not merely
widows, but "dependent" widows -- or widows in need -- whom Paul has
in mind.
In 1 Timothy 5:17,18, Paul shows another way in which the Lord's
money can be used. The "double honor" is respect or honor, as we
would normally think of it, but also remuneration (or pay) for the
work the elder is doing in working hard at preaching and
teaching. For verse 18 makes it clear that this "double honor"
does include a payment. This Old Testament quote that "You shall not
muzzle the ox while he is threshing" (Deut. 25:4) is also applied in
1 Corinthians 9:9-14 to the right for a preacher to be
supported in his work as a gospel preacher. There are
also some elders who, in addition, serve as preachers.
The second quote in 1 Timothy 5:18, that "The laborer is worthy of
his wages," is a statement that Jesus made in Luke 10:7.
Written about A.D. 60, the book of Luke was around a few years prior
to 1 Timothy, which was written about A.D. 64 or 65.
Paul then has some additional instruction concerning an elder in 1
Timothy 5:19,20, which we will begin with in our next installment
for The Gospel Observer.
--------------------
-3-
News & Notes
We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Jessica
Keen Reister (daughter of Robert and Candace Reister) who
passed away on April 4, 2013 at just 34 years of age. Let
those of us who are Christians be remembering all her family and
friends in prayer.
Let us also be prayerful concerning the following: people:
Virginia Fontenot has been diagnosed with an inoperable,
metastatic cancer, but will be receiving chemotherapy. Her
daughter Linda Blevins, who has been an anesthesiologist for about
40 years, has resigned from her job in order to help her mother who
is now back at home.
Bill Barfield (Virginia's brother) was recently moved to a
Regency Hospital. He has now been continuously in a few
different hospitals for more than a year. But it was here at
Regency that Bill was able to stand on his own for the first time
since about March 2012. So it would be good if he could remain
there and continue receiving their treatments until he is able to
return home, but Medicare will approve of only three weeks.
Prayer, therefore, has been requested that Medicare will allow for
Bill to be there as long as needed.
* Let us also be remembering the following
in prayer: Linda
Blevins who has been diagnosed with bilateral renal
artery stenosis and will be undergoing some more tests in May;
Tom Smitherman (Lee's father) who has been diagnosed with an
aggressive prostate cancer; Pam MacDonald who
has major back trouble; Cheryl Crews who has some chronic
ailments; Shirley Young who suffers from fibromyalgia; and
Jean Calloway who had been in the hospital for several days,
but is now back home -- though still with health problems.
--------------------
The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom.
10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John
3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts
8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins
(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet.
3:21).
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation can
be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
--------------------
Park Forest
CHURCH OF CHRIST
9923 Sunny Cline Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70817
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 6 PM (worship)
Tuesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go
(Gospel Observer website)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)