Ep. 337. 1 Timothy 5-6 | Instructions

EPISODE 337

INSTRUCTIONS: 1 TIMOTHY 5-6

As I write out these posts, it dawns on me that I should make it my aim to know and understand the letter of First Timothy more completely. There are so many good things in this letter. Perhaps it appeals to me more as a pastor. Maybe I'm just struck by how many things in this letter fly in the face of our cultural church practices.

When I get to the fifth chapter, I am again struck by the requirements Paul lists for being included as a widow cared for by the church. A widow wasn't to be under the care of the church if she had any family who could care for her, but neither should she be counted as a widow if she did not have godly character. In our culture of social justice, we just hurry to take care of any widow we run into, but what would happen if we held to the standard of the Scripture? For that matter, why do we hold to the Scripture on some matters and depart from Scripture on others? I know that it falls on us to try to understand the context and the original intent, but I think we struggle to uphold the Scripture for one of two reasons. One, we just don't know the Bible well enough to follow it. Two, we just don't care enough to follow it. The first can be lightly excused; the second is just rebellion.

ADDITIONAL READING: James 1:27; Deuteronomy 25:4; Matthew 10:10; Deuteronomy 8:1-4; Philippians 4:11-13