1 Timothy 5:1

Honor Widows

1 ¹Do not sharply rebuke an ²older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to ³the younger men as brothers,

1 Timothy 5:1 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 1. Rebuke not an elder
By whom is meant, not an elder1 Timothy 5:2

The elder women as mothers
When they offend in any point, they are to be reasoned, and argued, and pleaded with, as children should with their mothers; see ( Hosea 2:2 ) and are to be considered as mothers in Israel, and to be treated with great tenderness and respect. The younger as sisters;
using the freedom as a brother may with a sister; and considering them as sisters in Christ, and in a way becoming the relation, tell them their faults freely and privately, but with all purity:
in such manner as to preserve chastity in looks, in words, and actions.

1 Timothy 5:1 In-Context

1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,

2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows who are widows indeed;

4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

5 Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.

Cross References

• 1. Leviticus 19:32
• 2. Titus 2:2
• 3. Titus 2:6