Daily Writing

Sunday, 21 January 2018

…well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. 1 Timothy 5:10

These words continue on from verse 10 concerning eligibility for a widow to be “taken into the number,” meaning acceptable for assistance by the church for her livelihood. She is to be “well reported for good works.” It is an obvious statement. A widow who is truly a widow is to have been known as one who is of good repute concerning helping others. The Greek literally reads, “in good works.” She should be known for beneficence both by believers and unbelievers.

Paul then defines those good works beginning with, “if she has brought up her children.” The words here can indicate either her own children or others. In other words, she should be well known for having been as a proper light of instruction and education to the children who grew up around her. It is true that some of the finest lessons that a child can receive can come from the mother of a friend. Playing at the house of a god-fearing woman can be an inspiration to a child whose parents are non-believers.

Next Paul says, “if she has lodged strangers.” Abraham and Sarah accommodated those who came by their tent. Others in Scripture are noted for this as well. To open one’s doors to strangers can be a reflection of common hospitality which is an important part of human interaction. It shows a willingness to assist others, even at the expense of one’s own privacy.

The next qualification is, “if she has washed the saints’ feet.” Washing one’s feet is a Middle Eastern custom. The land is hot and dusty, and this clings heavily to the feet. Open sandals were often the customary footwear as well, and so when coming to a house, people’s feet would have lines of filth wherever they were not covered. In the world of pants and full-cover shoes, this is not something we worry about. But for those times when it is seen, the washing of the feet of guests was considered an act of humility, as well as a special honor upon the one whose feet were washed. When David proposed to Abigail, her response was reflective of what Paul speaks of here –

Then she arose, bowed her face to the earth, and said, “Here is your maidservant, a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” 1 Samuel 25:41

Paul next says, “if she has relieved the afflicted.” Such would be the soul who would take hot chicken soup to someone who was down with the flu. She would make meals for the mother who just gave birth. She would go sit with the mother of the child in bed with the fever. Such things wold reflect the caring quality of a woman willing to relieve the afflicted.

Finally in this verse, Paul says, “if she has diligently followed every good work.” The character of her life is to be defined as a tireless helper of those around her. Her husband, her children, her neighbors, and any of the local people who interacted with her often, would know that she was one who was willing to expend herself in doing right and acting properly. With such a record behind her, and in meeting the age requirements laid out by Paul, she would be a suitable candidate for having the church tend to her after her long life of tending to others.

Life application: A person reaps what they sow. In the case of a widow who was an attentive and helpful mother and friend, she should be reasonably rewarded with proper care by those she tended to. The Bible instructs that this is to be so. It would be inappropriate to not help someone who had given so much of her own life to others when she was able to do so.

Lord God, help us to be attentive to those around us who are kind and caring. May we see their actions, file them away in our minds, and remember to tend to them when they have their own times of need. Goodness should be a two way street, and so help us to not only accept the goodness of others, but to respond with goodness to others as well. In this, our lives will be reflective of selfless, happy people. Surely this is good in Your sight. Amen.

Saturday, 20 January 2018

Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 1 Timothy 5:9

Scholars have taken the words of this verse – words which are plain, simple, and unambiguous – and they have developed all kinds of crazy notions as to what Paul is saying here. Some have built an entire class of senior women who have a special office and authority in the church. Others have manipulated the term, “wife of one man,” to mean something other than what the words clearly signify. On and on go strange analyses of the verse, based on absolutely nothing. What Paul says isn’t suddenly a new subject at all. Rather, it is the same thing he has been referring to since verse 3.

“Do not let a widow under sixty years be taken into the number” is speaking of the group of women who can be supported by the church. Paul has been speaking of the care of widows, he has shown that it is a family responsibility, he has shown what type of woman would be unqualified to receive the churches’ help, etc. Now he is showing how to care for a widow “who is really a widow” as noted in verse 5. Such a destitute soul must be sixty and above.

A younger widow could remarry, she would normally have enough strength to care for herself, etc. Paul is setting an age in order to avoid all the pitfalls which could otherwise arise. He does not provide an exception, and thus the church is expected to not make any after the issuance of his letter. Once a widow who is truly a widow reaches sixty, she has met the first qualification for assistance. This is perfectly in accord with the account in Acts 6 concerning the daily distribution of food to the widows.

Paul then states the next qualification is that she must have “been the wife of one man.” The words are not complicated, but numerous scholars attempt to help them along with unnecessary inferences. Some have said this means “one man at a time.” Others have taken it to be speaking of divorce, but “death and remarriage” is excluded, etc. Such analyses are go beyond what is written. To be the “wife of one man” is a necessary qualifier for a “widow indeed.” A woman who faithfully lived with her one husband, and then who never remarried, showed a special dedication to her husband that is emblematic of fidelity to Christ alone. It is a badge of honor which allows her to enjoy the rights of the table of widowhood.

Life application: Too often, commentaries about Paul’s words in the pastoral letters will attempt to dismiss the very intent of what is being said. Such would never be the case with his other letters, but because the pastorals touch on such personal subjects, scholars will allow their own emotions or biases to cloud the original intent and meaning. Pick up the word and read it as it is written. The obvious interpretation is what should be adhered to unless there is an exceptional reason to tie in an inference which is related to another portion of Scripture.

Heavenly Father, your care of the widow and orphan which is seen in Your word shows us a heart for the downtrodden. How caring and loving You are. Help us to emulate You in this Lord. Help us to be gracious and merciful to those around us, and to be willing to expend ourselves, even to a great degree, to relieve others of their times of trouble and affliction. Amen.

Friday, 19 January 2018

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

Paul’s attention has been on the widow, showing what is proper concerning the care of a widow, what is the possible plight of a widow, etc. Now in this verse, he explains why the care expected of a widow (and others within the family) is a necessary part of the Christian faith. “But if anyone does not provide for his own,” is speaking specifically about a widow, but he is doing it in a general sense. There are those who need help, and there are those who are morally obligated to provide that help. The word he chooses for “provide” is one that signifies careful consideration of the matter involved. It is the Greek word pronoéō, coming from two words, pró, meaning “before,” and noiéō, “think.” Thus it signifies “to think before,” and it shows necessary forethought to act properly, meaning in God’s will.

A person should have attentive care for those who are dependent on him. Paul then explains further with, “and especially for those of his own household.” A person may have people dependent upon him for a variety of reasons. He may be an employer, he may have slaves or servants in his house, etc. Whoever his responsibilities extend to, he is to provide for them, but this is especially so with immediate family. This is an almost universally understood precept. It is something that would have to be taught out of a person, rather than taught into him. Throughout the world, the care of family is taken as an obvious responsibility. And so for a Christian to not follow through with such a basic moral tenet, “he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Paul was writing his words to Christians who lived in the Greek frame of mind. The writings of many of the Greek philosophers and elite showed that this was something they clearly understood as a right moral precept. As Charles Ellicott notes, “The rules even of the nobler Pagan moralists forbid such heartless selfishness.” If this is so, then how could a person be considered a properly acting moral Christian and not follow through with something so universally understood? He has “denied the faith.” In other words, the moral precepts which define the right conduct of being a Christian are not being applied as they should be. To refuse the duties of the faith is a denial of the faith itself.

His intent is for all Christians, at all times, to be aware of the need to care for their family, be ready and willing to meet their needs, and to not allow the church to be burdened with needs that should be taken care of at home.

As a final note, Paul does not say that such people have proven themselves to be unbelievers. A person is not saved by taking care of family members. They are saved by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. However, once someone is saved through that belief, they are expected to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, not ignore it as something which is unimportant to the Lord who saved them in the first place.

Life application: How often do finger-pointy people say, “That person can’t be a Christian because of XXX! Sometimes it is because of a pet peeve that they just can’t let go of. Sometimes it is because they know what is required of Christians, and they don’t see that requirement being worked out in the person’s life. They forget that salvation is a gift based on faith in the finished work of Christ. Instead of jabbing others over what they are doing wrong, they should be willing to face the person and instruct them in what they should be doing right. Some people may simply lack proper instruction. Be careful with those pointy fingers. Such an attitude might lead others to wonder if you are a Christian yourself.

Lord God, thank You that salvation has been made so simple for us. You sent Jesus to accomplish what we could not, He then gave His life in exchange for what is wrong with us, and through faith in that we are saved. The atonement is provided, the substitution is accepted, and our misdeeds are no longer considered. Thank You for this marvelous gift of life and restoration. Help us to be willing to share it with others. Amen.

Thursday, 18 January 2018

And these things command, that they may be blameless. 1 Timothy 5:7

The words here encompass both the responsibilities of the family for caring for widows, and for the conduct of the widows as was then described. “These things” encompasses both. It is inappropriate for believers to thrust the care of their own family upon the church, and it is inappropriate for widows who have sufficient means to care for themselves to live in wanton pleasure. In both situations, they could not “be blameless.”

But in following Paul’s commands concerning the matter, the church would be secured from undue burdens, and the families would properly bear the responsibilities God has placed in their path concerning women found in this sad position of widowhood.

Life application: Each church has its own method of conducting its affairs, but each church should use the Bible as its over-arching rule and guide. Not all issues that arise are discussed in Scripture, but general principles are. When a church follows what is mandated, it will be more likely to properly and effectively handle those things which the Bible is silent on. Stay in the word, and be schooled in the Bible at all times. In this, the unexpected can be more appropriately handled by the church.

Thank You, O God, for the general outline of principles laid out in Your word. The things that aren’t addressed there are more easily handled nonetheless because of the overall guidelines which touch on so many issues in our lives. Your word gives a broad outline of human responsibility, and from it we can fill in the many blanks of day to day life. And when we do, things go so much better for us. Thank You for this precious word. Amen.

Wednesday, 17 January 2018

But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 1 Timothy 5:6

In what could be considered typical apostle Paul abruptness concerning doctrine, he now introduces a thought concerning the worldly widow which contrasts with the true widow of the previous verse who “trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.” Instead of such a troubled soul, who has turned her whole hope for comfort to the Lord, there is another type of widow who “lives in pleasure.” The Greek word is used only here by Paul, and once by James (5:5). It is one who lives in a wanton fashion, or indulges in unneeded surplus. The idea is less of sexual indulgence, and looks more to wasteful living. Whatever she received from her dead husband is simply squandered away without a care or a thought. Fast living and excess define her situation.

For such a perverse soul, Paul says that she “is dead while she lives.” In Romans 8, Paul shows the contrast between living carnally and living according to the Spirit. In verse 13, he says, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” A person who lives for their flesh is fulfilling temporary, vain things. All food is temporary to the body, all clothes wear out, all purchases for indulgence can be stolen or burned up in a fire. In the end, when it is all gone, there is nothing left – not even a hope in God to sustain the body and the soul. The contrast is amazing, and yet it is a contrast which has been seen from one generation after the next for all of human history. There is nothing of learning for those whose minds are blinded by the temporary pleasures of this world.

Life application: We have two accounts running at the same time. There is our earthly existence which accumulates things for whatever purpose we think they will serve. And we can accumulate heavenly treasures in hopes of an existence beyond this life. The earthly things will all come to an end. If that is where our hope is, the filling of that account was a vain and pointless venture. For those who are wise, they will save what is right now (save for your children’s children it says in Proverbs 13:22), but they will expend their greater energy in saving up for that which is eternal.

Lord God, what point is heaping up treasure in this world? We can’t take a thing with us, and even while we remain, the things we have can be stolen, lost, or burned up. It is a vain and pointless thing to hope for abundant wealth on our deathbed. But there is treasure which is eternal. Help us to accumulate that. May we glorify You now, praise You now, pursue You now, and seek after You now – all in hopes of the great and true wealth to be found on eternity’s vast shore. Give us this wisdom. Amen.