1 REBUKE not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
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.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

1Rebuke not an Elder, but intreate him as a father, and the yonger men as brethren:

2The elder women as mothers, the yonger as sisters with all puritie.

3Honour widowes that are widowes indeed.

4But if any widow haue children or nephewes, let them learne first to shew pietie at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

5Now she that is a widow in deed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

6But she that liueth in pleasure, is dead while she liueth.

7And these things giue in charge, that they may be blamelesse.

8But if any prouide not for his owne, & specially for those of his owne house, hee hath denied the faith, and is worse then an infidel.

9Let not a widow bee taken into the number, vnder threescore yeeres old, hauing bene the wife of one man,

10Well reported of for good works, if shee haue brought vp children, if shee haue lodged strangers, if she haue washed the Saints feet, if shee haue releeued the afflicted, if shee haue diligently followed euery good worke.

11But the yonger widowes refuse: for when they haue begunne to waxe wanton against Christ, they will marry,

12Hauing damnation, because they haue cast off their first faith.

13And withall they learne to bee idle, wandering about from house to house; and not onely idle, but tatlers also, and busibodies, speaking things which they ought not.

14I will therefore that the yonger women marry, beare children, guid the house, giue none occasion to the aduersary to speake reprochfully.

15For some are already turned aside after Satan.

16If any man or woman that beleeueth haue widowes, let them relieue them, and let not the Church be charged, that it may relieue them that are widowes indeed.

17Let the Elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

18For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not mousell the oxe that treadeth out the corne: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

19Against an Elder receiue not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

20Them that sinne rebuke before all, that others also may feare.

21I charge thee before God, and the Lord Iesus Christ, and the elect Angels, that thou obserue these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partialitie.

22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither bee partaker of other mens sinnes. Keepe thy selfe pure.

23Drinke no longer water, but vse a little wine for thy stomackes sake, and thine often infirmities.

24Some mens sinnes are open before hand, going before to iudgement: and some men they follow after.

25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest before hand, and they that are otherwise, cannot be hid.

 

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as a father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters with complete purity. 3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these first learn to perform their religious duty to their own family and to make recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The real widow, who is all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But the one who is self-indulgent is dead while she lives. 7 Command this, so that they may be irreproachable. 8 And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years old, married only once, 10 with a reputation for good works, namely, that she has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the holy ones, helped those in distress, involved herself in every good work. 11 But exclude younger widows, for when their sensuality estranges them from Christ, they want to marry 12 and will incur condemnation for breaking their first pledge. 13 And furthermore, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers but gossips and busybodies as well, talking about things that ought not to be mentioned. 14 So I would like younger widows to marry, have children, and manage a home, so as to give the adversary no pretext for maligning us. 15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan. 16 If any woman believer has widowed relatives, she must assist them; the church is not to be burdened, so that it will be able to help those who are truly widows. 17 Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching. 18 For the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing," and, "A worker deserves his pay." 19 Do not accept an accusation against a presbyter unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. 20 Reprimand publicly those who do sin, so that the rest also will be afraid. 21 I charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to keep these rules without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. 22 Do not lay hands too readily on anyone, and do not share in another's sins. Keep yourself pure. 23 Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 24 Some people's sins are public, preceding them to judgment; but other people are followed by their sins. 25 Similarly, good works are also public; and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

v 1,2. Paul now moves from Timothy’s personal conduct to relationships with others in the church. Sharpness should not be used against the older men of the church, just as one would not use sharpness against a father. The young men should not be looked down on, but as a part of the fellowship, brothers. The older women should also be treated with respect. In a day when temple maidens were prostitutes, it was doubly important that these young ladies be treated with the purity of sisters.
v 3,4. Honor to widows who have no relatives involves material assistance. Blood relatives of a widow have an obligation to see that her needs are met. See v 16.
v 5-7. Additionally, a widow indeed would be one with genuine spiritual interests. In contrast, those who are simply living in pleasure should not expect church support. Some of these even may revert to immoral living because of their loneliness.
v 8. Most elderly or handicapped today have their needs provided through social security etc., but if there is more need at any age, it is shameful for family not to assist, because even many unbelievers do that much.
v 9,10. The idea of sixty years old was not to refuse aid, but that after that age, there was little likelihood that they would marry. This is probably only a partial list of duties they could perform in service to the Lord. They were to be one man women just as bishops, 3:2 and deacons, 3:12, were to be one woman men. At least not divorced. Some Jews looked down on second marriages, but notice Paul’s endorsement, v 14.
v 11-13. Problems with younger widows included the probability of growing weary of spiritual service and remarrying. Spinsters and those not remarrying are apt to be  idle and go about the neighborhood prying and spreading gossip. Even the intent to go about to find need & help others could be turned into occasion for gossip.
v 14,15. They would be better off raising families than to cause the reproach of those outside the church. Some had already slipped spiritually in these things.
v 16. The church should not be obligated to support those who have family help.
v 17,18. These older men were church leaders, probably bishops, and they were to receive ample compensation for their work according to the extent of their labor. There were various tasks, but teaching the word & doctrine was of special importance.
v 19. No one should be falsely accused, but great care should be made in accusing one in the ministry, because of repercussions in the church and community.
v 20. This could apply to elders as well as others. The rebuke should be in the open with the only punishment being loss of fellowship.
v 21. Sometimes it may be difficult not to show partiality, but do as God, Act.10:34.
v 22. Don’t place immature and inexperienced in places of responsibility. Don’’t participate in the sin of those who do. Purity on a personal level is vital for Timothy and other Christian leaders.
v 23.  Wine could be juice still in the grape, freshly pressed, ready to be bottled, or when ferment has begun. The latter, used as a medicine, was weakened with water. Sometimes it was a syrup reconstituted. This in no way allows for an occasional beer.
v 24. Things are not always what they seem to be. Some are obviously sinners  while others appear righteous but there sins are temporarily hidden.
v 25. The good deeds of some are conspicuous, while others may be shy and modest, but their worth eventually becomes evident.