1 Timóteo 5

1 Timóteo 5

Constable - Timothy was to teach these things so family members in the church would shoulder their rightful responsibility. Donald Guthrie - The instructions which Timothy is to give must refer to the responsibility of children to support their forbears (verse 4), and the responsibility of widows to fulfil the requirements mentioned in 1Ti 5:5. The verb used is strong, involving ‘command’. The command was necessary to ensure that no-one may be open to blame (anepilēmptos, ‘irreproachable’, cf. 1Ti 3:2). (Borrow The Pastoral Epistles : An Introduction and Commentary) Swindoll - Paul urged Timothy to "prescribe" (also translated "instruct," "command," or "charge" in 1Ti 1:3, 18; 4:11; 6:13, 17) that families care for their widowed mothers. The contrast between "they" in 5:7 and "anyone [who] does not provide" in 5:8 is further indication that "they" refers to the families of widows, not the widows themselves, and that faithfully caring for one's own renders the family members above reproach. So that (term of purpose) they may be above reproach (anepileptos) - NLT = "so that no one will be open to criticism." NJB = "so that their lives may be blameless." Not giving an adversary anything to seize as the basis of an accusation. As noted above, there is a difference of opinion as to whom Timothy is to direct this command. Some favor the widows and other favor all the church (and leadership). Either way the pagans are watching! They are always watching believers, just waiting to pounce on some inconsistency between our profession and our practice. They are looking for hypocrisy so that it can justify their arguments of why go to church? What difference does it make? What believe the Gospel? Is there any difference between those who profess to believe the Gospel and non-believers? (See excerpt from Barna Report below) Prescribe (direct, instruct, order) (3853) paraggello from para = beside, alongside, near by, at the side of + aggelos = messenger, angello/aggello = to announce) means to hand on or pass on an announcement from one to another who is at one's side, such as to what must be done, usually with the idea of a command or charge. Paraggello often was used in the context of a military command and demanded that the subordinate obey the order from the superior and required unhesitating and unqualified obedience. (cp Lk 5:14, 8:29, Lk 9:21KJV, Acts 1:4, 4:18; 5:28KJV; Acts 15:5KJV; 1Th 4:11). It is like a mandate (an authoritative command) or a call to obedience from one in authority. In other contexts the main idea was that the announcement was in the form of an instruction (cp Lk 8:56, 1Cor 7:10, 11:17). Instruction can simply represent the impartation of knowledge as to how something should be done, but when this English word translates paraggello, it indicates directions calling for compliance. Paul's uses of paraggello - note predominance in 1 Timothy - 1 Co. 7:10; 1 Co. 11:17; 1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:4; 2 Thess. 3:6; 2 Thess. 3:10; 2 Thess. 3:12; 1 Tim. 1:3; 1 Tim. 4:11; 1 Tim. 5:7; 1 Tim. 6:13; 1 Tim. 6:17 Above reproach (without reproach, unrebukeable) (423) anepileptos/anepilemptos from a = without + epilambáno = to seize, to lay firm hold) is an adjective which literally describes that which cannot be seized. “inviolable,” “unassailable,” “beyond reproach” It is one who cannot be laid hold upon, so to speak, which metaphorically describes one who is inculpable, cannot be criticized (above criticism), inviolable (i.e., not tarnished, eg, as to one's honor, character, etc), unassailable (i.e., not liable to personal attack or question of character), irreprehensible (i.e., not to be blamed or censured; free from fault). The anepileptos individual is one who has nothing in their words, actions or deeds upon which an adversary could seize to make a charge. This person demonstrates conduct which is irreproachable, above criticism, without fault. He has a higher morality on which no blame can be found to base an accusation. Do not attempt to obey this lofty charge in your own strength! Cast off any sense of self reliance and rely wholly on the Spirit of Christ to give you the desire and the power to live without… reproach (cp Php 2:13NLT+) Anepileptos - 3x in the NT all in this epistle - 1 Tim. 3:2; 1 Tim. 5:7; 1 Tim. 6:14 Excerpt from Faith Has a Limited Effect On Most People’s Behavior - Research Releases in Faith & Christianity•May 24, 2004 Non-Evangelical Born Again Christians Struggle for Distinction The second-largest faith segment in the nation – non-evangelical born again Christians – was more similar to notional Christians (i.e., people who consider themselves Christian but have not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior) and to adherents of other faiths (such as Islam, Buddhism and Scientology) than to evangelical Christians. (Non-evangelical born again adults have accepted Christ as their savior but do not necessarily accept the Bible as completely accurate in its teachings, accept a personal responsibility to share their faith with others, cite their faith as very important in their life, believe that Jesus Christ was holy, believe that God is the Creator who continues to rule the universe today, or believe that Satan is not symbolic but truly exists.) This segment constitutes about one-third of the national adult population. Of the 19 lifestyle items tested in the survey, non-evangelical born again adults were indistinguishable from people of other faiths in relation to 10 of those factors, and identical to notional Christians regarding 12. They were less similar to evangelicals than to adults who do not possess a similar trust in Jesus Christ as their savior. Notional Christians Lean Toward Non-Christian Behavior Notional Christians – adults who say they are Christian but have never made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ – represent almost half of all people attending Christian churches in the U.S. In total, they are about one-third of the adult population. These individuals were more likely to behave in ways that characterized non-Christians than to reflect the behavior of born again adults. In other words, their faith does not seem to be a defining factor in many of their lifestyle choices. For instance, this group is more similar to born again Christians on matters such as recycling and the likelihood of discussing political matters. However, they are more similar to non-Christians on matters such as the likelihood of discussing faith matters, volunteering, turning off offensive television programs, discussing moral issues, gambling, using tobacco, having sex outside of marriage, getting drunk, and passing on encouragement to others. 1 Timothy 5:8 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. BGT 1 Timothy 5:8 εἰ δέ τις τῶν ἰδίων καὶ μάλιστα οἰκείων οὐ προνοεῖ, τὴν πίστιν ἤρνηται καὶ ἔστιν ἀπίστου χείρων. KJV 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. NET 1 Timothy 5:8 But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. CSB 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ESV 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. NIV 1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. NLT 1 Timothy 5:8 But those who won't care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. NRS 1 Timothy 5:8 And whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. NJB 1 Timothy 5:8 Anyone who does not look after his own relations, especially if they are living with him, has rejected the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. NAB 1 Timothy 5:8 And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. YLT 1 Timothy 5:8 and if any one for his own -- and especially for those of the household -- doth not provide, the faith he hath denied, and than an unbeliever he is worse. GWN 1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone doesn't take care of his own relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the Christian faith and is worse than an unbeliever. BBE 1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone has no care for his family and those in his house, he is false to the faith, and is worse than one who has no faith. and especially: Ge 30:30 Isa 58:7 Mt 7:11 Lu 11:11-13 2Co 12:14 Ga 6:10 household: 1Ti 5:4 he has denied: 2Ti 3:5 Titus 1:16 Rev 2:13 3:8 is worse than an unbeliever: Mt 18:17 Lu 12:47-48 Jn 15:22 2Co 2:15,16 6:15 Related Passages: Luke 12:47-48+ (“And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. 2 Timothy 3:5+ holding (present tense - talk about self-deception!) to a form of godliness (PROFESSORS), although they have denied its power (NOT POSSESSORS!); Avoid (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) such men as these. Titus 1:16+ They profess (present tense - talk about self-deception!) to know God, but (DRAMATIC TERM OF CONTRAST!) by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for ANY good deed. WHAT COULD BE WORSE THAN AN UNBELIEVER? But (term of contrast - strong contrast) if anyone (no exceptions) does not provide (pronoeo) for his own - Provide is pronoeo which means communicates the idea of anticipating, and so to think beforehand and indicates that care for elderly widows required some forethought and even financial planning. If is a first class condition which assumes some were not providing for their own! Becoming a follower of Christ significantly increases responsibility in the social area. Paul directs this admonition to the care of widows (cf. 1Ti 5:3, 4), although he states it in terms of overall family responsibility. Who is his own? In context this would apply to one's family of course and by extension in the context of this section, to the widows in the family (the husband and wife could both have needy widows). THOUGHT - Dearly beloved, have you given careful thought to how you will provide for your mother if your father passes away and she is left with minimal resources? That's the idea inherent in the verb "provide". We need to think about this before that day arrives. Here is an interesting etymology of the English word provide - providen, "make provision for the future; arrange, plan; take care, relieve of needs, supply the needs of," from Latin providere "look ahead, prepare, supply, act with foresight," from pro "ahead" + videre "to see". Interesting! And especially for those of his household, he has denied (arneomai) the faith (pistis) and is worse (cheiron) than an unbeliever. A Christian must labor in order to provide for those of his family. To fail in this obligation is to deny the faith and to be worse than one with no faith at all. To the sin of slothfulness is added hypocrisy because the man is claiming to be a follower of Christ. The pagans who did not profess Christ took better care of their family members than some who professed Christ! What a sad testimony for the pagans who cannot see the power of the Gospel in these individuals' lives! Is that possibly because they do not possess the Gospel? Just asking, not judging! However, in context denied the faith DOES NOT mean they are unbelievers or that they have lost their faith (which I do not believe is possible assuming one is truly saved). Why do I say they are believers? Because Paul directly compares them to an unbeliever and so logically it follows that he considers them to be genuine believers. But by their actions they are in effect denying the gospel, the faith system (as in Gal 1:23; Jude 1:3, etc). To reiterate the phrase the faith is objective means more than individual trust or faith in Christ which is subjective. In other words our belief (faith) must be in the proper object (the faith ~ the Gospel).