Morning Moments

In Chapter five of 1 Timothy, Paul considers the interpersonal relationship responsibilities for believers. If Timothy was to be the leader God had called and commissioned him to be, he would have to observe certain "Rules of Conduct", and would need to teach others to observe them also.

No doubt there were men and women in the congregation who were much older than he. How should they be treated and what should be their responsibility?

1 Timothy 5:1-2 (KJV)
1 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Let's break these verses up and look more closely at them and see how they relate to today's society.

In the first place, the term "elder" here does not refer to the pastor. It refers to those who are to be respected by age and stage of life. The context demands that.
In this dysfunctional world where little respect is shown, we MUST regain what we have lost. We too often show little or no respect for person or property. But let's, for now anyway, stick with the text.

"Rebuke not an elder" refers to the treatment of older men, who are not to be "rebuked" by younger men or boys. The word "rebuked" indicates severe censure, and Paul tells Timothy that this is not the way to treat an older man. He is rather to be "entreated" as a father. The term "entreat" means to encourage or exhort. So the approach of younger to older is to always be respectful and encouraging; never rude and harsh. Think of it this way: How would you want your children to treat you - with respect or rudeness, with encouragement or discouragement? Simple question - simple answer.

"...and younger men as brethren".

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are brothers, but not as Cain and Abel, but as Jonathan and David who loved one another as their own soul. We are to treat each, not as Joseph's brethren treated them, but as he treated them. Now let's ask and answer a couple of questions in this regard: 1) as brothers, should we correct each other? OF COURSE! 2) As brothers do we have to agree on everything? OF COURSE NOT! 3) What is more important, my personal preferences or the unity of the family? Obviously, the unity of the family. This is "common sense". Do you want respect? Then give it. Do you need support? Then offer it. We are to work at keeping family unity, in spite of our family differences.

"...The elder women as mothers". A young person, who mistreats his /her mother, will mistreat other older women. By the way, if you don't want to be mistreated when you are older and wiser, then don't mistreat your elders that way now. I only had one mom and no other woman can take her place, but I am to treat older women with the same respect that I am required to treat my own mom. How difficult is that?

"...the younger as sisters, with all purity". Oh my, this is so needed today. Notice that he adds a missing ingredient in the lives of so many young men - purity. I noticed this morning on the news that another one of the fast food places is using sex to sell burgers. It is the order of the day to exploit women, to be driven by lust, but we who are true believers in Jesus Christ MUST understand that no woman is to be treated or looked upon impurely. I have two sisters whom I love and would give my life to protect. I don't say dirty things to them (or anyone else for that matter), but lewd and suggestive remarks are OUT OF BOUNDS for the Christian. PURITY is the Procedure we are to pursue. To look with and speak with lust is not to be the way we live. Paul says, "Walk in the Spirit and you WILL NOT fulfill the lusts of the flesh." He says, "Flee youthful lusts", "Keep thyself pure", and to be an example of the believer in "...purity".

These are such needed lessons for the Church today. We have lost our moral compass, even in the Church, but we can regain what we have lost and live pure and holy lives if only we surrender absolutely to Him.

BLESSINGS!