Widows in the House of God – 1 Timothy 5:8-16

Verse by verse series through 1 Timothy. This lesson explores the qualifications of widows.

1. Brief review of theme: 1 Timothy 3:14-15. 1 Timothy presents a benchmark with which local churches can examine themselves.
2. This chapter/section: Paul instructs Timothy concerning the 5 people groups within the church – men, women, widows, elders & servants (6:1-2)
3. This lesson: The qualifications of widows eligible to receive church support.
4. The Bible has much to say about widows. From this we learn something of the heart of God. That same spirit should be evident in the local church.
   • Ex. 22:22 “Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.”
   • Deut. 24:19-21 “When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. 20 When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. 21 When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.”
   • James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

The Family Support of Widows (Vs. 8, 16)

1. The Warning (Vs. 8) A man who will not provide for his own household is described as one who:
   1. Has denied the faith = his life contradicts what he says he believes.
   2. Is worse than an infidel. ‘infidel’ = unbeliever
2. The Command (Vs. 16)
   1. The care of widows is a family duty and especially so for those who are believers.
   2. The reason: So the church can direct financial assistance to those who really need it (widows indeed)

The Qualifications of Widows (Vs. 9-10)

1. The age Qualification (Vs. 9a)
   1. “taken into the number” = to set down in a list, to register, enrol” (like soldiers, citizens etc…) (Heibert)
   2. “threescore years old” = 60 years old (score = 20 years)
2. The marriage Qualification (Vs. 9b)
   1. “wife of one man” = literally means “a one man woman” (Gromacki)
   2. Similar requirement for Pastors (S. 3:2)
   3. Refers to one who has been faithful to her marriage vows (e.g. no divorce or adultery)
3. The Character Qualifications (Vs. 10)
   1. A godly reputation – “well reported of for good works”
   2. A faithful mother – “brought up children”
   3. A hospitable home
      1. “lodged strangers” = e.g. traveling believers
      2. “washed the saints’ feet”
         1. A literal need in Eastern lands where only sandals were worn and most travelled by foot. A humble task usually performed by slaves.
         2. Refers to a woman who has a humble, servant’s spirit. Consider Christ’s example (John 13)
         3. Personal illustration: Missionary couple in Fiji who extended hospitality to me when I was there at Bible College.
      3. “relieved the afflicted”
         1. Speaks of one who is compassionate
         2. Hiebert: “The relief may not have been merely, or even chiefly, by gifts but by her loving and sisterly encouragement, being ever ready to mourn with those who mourn, deeming none too low or degraded to receive her ministrations of love, none outside the scope of her kindly help and counsel.”
   4. A diligent focus – “diligently followed every good work”
      1. A summary statement revealing the overarching trait of her life.
      2. One who pursues a life of godliness and service for the Lord.

The Instructions for Young Widows (Vs. 11-15)

1. The command (11a)
   1. They are not to be admitted to the official support program of the church.
   2. This does not mean they wouldn’t be cared for like any other member of the church but that they would not be eligible for regular, official, financial assistance from the church.
2. The reasons (11b-13)
   1. The tendency towards Dissatisfaction (11b-12)
      1. “wax wanton” = to feel sensuous impulses (i.e. the desires associated with a marriage relationship). They become restive and cast of restraint (Hiebert)
      2. ‘marry’ = The Apostle is not teaching that marriage is wrong as he will recommend they marry in verse 14! This is a certain type of marriage. A marriage that is driven by natural desires rather than one that is in the will of God.
      3. ‘damnation’ = judgment, condemnation
      4. “cast off” = to regard as void, to set aside
   2. The tendency towards Idleness (13)
      1. Note: Idle does not mean inactive! These ladies are very busy but in the wrong way!
      2. “wandering about” = activity with no purpose
      3. ‘tattlers’ = gossips, spreaders of idle tales and divisive reports
      4. ‘busybodies’ = prying and interfering in other people’s business
      5. “speaking things which they ought not” = the tongue the chief problem
3. The solution (Vs. 14-15)
   1. She is to be a Helpmeet – ‘marry’
   2. She is to be a Mother – “bear children”
   3. She is to be a Home keeper – “guide the house”
      1. “guide the house” = literally means “a house despot or lord”. She manages the home.
      2. Titus 2:5 “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Conclusion:

1. What is our attitude towards the needy in our church? Do we demonstrate care and concern?
2. Are we fulfilling family responsibilities as believers?
3. Ladies: Do you have a biblical mindset in regards to your high calling in the home?

Sermon 21 of 27 in 1 Timothy Series

Sermon Audio Id: 1817439261