1 Timothy 5 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1Rebuke not an elder (presbutero me epiplexeis). Dative case presbutero used in the usual sense of an older man, not a minister (bishop as in 3:2) as is shown by "as a father." First aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive with negative me (prohibition against committing the act) of epiplesso, to strike upon, old verb, but here only in N.T. and in figurative sense with words rather than with fists. Respect for age is what is here commanded, an item appropriate to the present time.
The younger men as brethren (neoterous os adelphous). Comparative adjective neoteros from neos (young). No article, "younger men." Wise words for the young minister to know how to conduct himself with old men (reverence) and young men (fellowship, but not stooping to folly with them).
2The elder women as mothers (presbuteras os meteras). Anarthrous again, "older women as mothers." Respect and reverence once more.
The younger as sisters, in all purity (neoteras os adelphas en pase agnia). Anarthrous also and comparative form as in verse 1. See 4:12 for agnia. No sort of behavior will so easily make or mar the young preacher as his conduct with young women.
3That are widows indeed (tas ontos cheras). For ontos (actually, really), see Lu 23:47; 1Co 14:25 ; and verse 5. For widows (chera) see Mr 12:40,42; Ac 6:1; 1Co 7:8 . Parry notes that in verses 3-8 Paul discusses widows who are in distress and 9-16 those who are in the employment of the local church for certain work. Evidently, as in Acts 6:1-6, so here in Ephesus there had arisen some trouble over the widows in the church. Both for individual cases of need and as a class Timothy is to show proper respect (tima, keep on honouring) the widows.
4Grandchildren (ekgona). Old word from ekginoma, here only in N.T.
Let them learn (manthanetosan). The children and grandchildren of a widow. Present active imperative third person plural of manthano. "Let them keep on learning."
First (proton). Adverb, first before anything else. No "corban" business here. No acts of "piety" toward God will make up for impiety towards parents.
To shew piety (eusebein). Present active infinitive with manthanetosan and old verb, in N.T. only here and Ac 17:23 . From eusebes (eu, seboma), pious, dutiful.
Their own family (ton idion oikon). "Their own household." Filial piety is primary unless parents interfere with duty to Christ (Lu 14:26 ).
To requite (amoibas apodidona). Present active infinitive of apodidom, to give back, old and common verb (Ro 2:6 ), to keep on giving back. Amoibas (from ameiboma, to requite like for like) is old and common word, but here only in N.T.
Their parents (tois progonois). Dative case of old and common word progonos (from proginoma, to come before), "ancestor." In N.T. only here and 2Ti 1:3 . See 2:3 for "acceptable" (apodekton).
5Desolate (memonomene). Perfect passive participle of monoo (from monos), "left alone," old verb, here alone in N.T. Without husband, children, or other close kin.
Hath her hope set on God (elpiken ep theon). Perfect active indicative of elpizo, "hath placed her hope (and keeps it) on God." Text doubtful whether God (theon) or Lord (Kurion).
Continues (prosmene). See on 1:3. With dative case here.
Night and day (nuktos ka emeras). "By night and by day" (genitive, not accusative). Paul does not say that she should pray "all night and day."
6She that giveth herself to pleasure (e spatalosa). Present active participle of splatalao, late verb (Polybius) from spatale (riotous, luxurious living). In N.T. only here and Jas 5:5 .
7That they may be without reproach (ina anepilempto osin). See 3:2 for anepilemptos. Final clause with ina and present subjunctive.
8Provideth not for his own (ton idion ou pronoe). Condition of first class with e and present active (or middle pronoeita) indicative of pronoeo, old verb, to think beforehand. Pauline word in N.T. only here, 2Co 8:21; Ro 12:7 . With genitive case.
He hath denied the faith (ten pistin erneta). Perfect middle indicative of old verb arneoma. His act of impiety belies (Tit 1:16 ) his claim to the faith (Re 2:13 ).
Worse than an unbeliever (apistou cheiron). Ablative case of apistou after the comparative cheiron. Who makes no profession of piety.
9Let none be enrolled as a widow (chera katalegestho). Present passive imperative of katalego, old verb, to set down in an official list, only here in N.T. "Let a widow be enrolled," the negative coming later, "having become of no less than sixty years" (me elatton eton exekonta gegonuia). Second perfect active participle of ginoma. For the case of eton, see Lu 2:42 . This list of genuine widows (verses 3,5 ) apparently had some kind of church work to do (care for the sick, the orphans, etc.).
The wife of one man (enos andros gune). Widows on this list must not be married a second time. This interpretation is not so clear for 3:2,12; Tit 1:6 .
10If she hath brought up children (e eteknotrophesen). Condition of first class. Late and rare word (Aristotle, Epictetus), first aorist active indicative of teknotropheo (teknotrophos, from teknon, trepho), here only in N.T. Qualification for her work as leader.
If she hath used hospitality to strangers (e exenodochesen). First aorist again and same condition. Late form (Dio Cassius) of old verb xenodokeo (Herodotus), to welcome strangers (xenous dechoma). Only here in N.T. Hospitality another qualification for such leadership ( 3:2).
If she hath washed the saints' feet (e agion podas enipsen). Same condition and tense of nipto (old form nizo), common in N.T. (Joh 13:5 ). Proof of her hospitality, not of its being a church ordinance.
If she hath relieved the afflicted (e thlibomenois eperkesen). Same condition and tense of eparkeo, to give sufficient aid, old word, in N.T. only here and verse 16. Experience that qualified her for eleemosynary work.
If she hath diligently followed (e epekolouthesen). Same condition and tense of epakoloutheo, old verb, to follow close upon (ep). So here, verse 24; 1Pe 2:21 . In a word such a widow must show her qualifications for leadership as with bishops and deacons.
11But younger widows refuse (neoteras de cheras paraitou). Present middle imperative as in 4:7. "Beg off from." They lack experience as above and they have other ambitions.
When they have waxed wanton (otan katastreniasosin). First aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive of katastreniao, late compound (only here and Ignatius), to feel the impulse of sexual desire, but simplex streniao (Re 18:7,9 ). Souter renders it here "exercise youthful vigour against Christ" (tou Christou, genitive case after kata in composition).
12Condemnation (krima). See 3:6.
They have rejected (ethetesan). First aorist passive of atheteo, late verb (first in LXX and Polybius), to reject, set aside (from athetos). See 1Th 4:8; Ga 2:21 .
Their first faith (ten proten pistin). "Their first pledge" (promise, contract) to Christ. It is like breaking the marriage contract. Evidently one of the pledges on joining the order of widows was not to marry. Parry suggests a kind of ordination as with deacons and bishops (technical use of krima and pistis).
13And withal (ama de ka). See Phm 1:22 for this very phrase, "and at the same time also." Such young enrolled widows have other perils also.
They learn to be idle (arga manthanousin). There is no eina (to be) in the Greek. This very idiom without eina after manthano occurs in Plato and Dio Chrysostom, though unusual. Arga (idle) is old adjective (a privative and ergon, without work). See Mt 20:3; Tit 1:12 .
Going about (perierchomena). Present middle participle of perierchoma, old compound verb. See Ac 19:13 of strollers.
From house to house (tas oikias). Literally "the houses," "wandering around the houses." Vivid picture of idle tattlers and gossipers.
But tattlers also (alla ka phluaro). Old word from phluo (to boil up, to throw up bubbles, like blowing soap bubbles). Only here in N.T. Phluareo in 3Jo 1:10 only in N.T.
And busybodies (ka periergo). Old word (from peri, ergon), busy about trifles to the neglect of important matters. In N.T. only here and Ac 19:19 . See 2Th 3:11 for periergazoma.
Things which they ought not (ta me deonta). "The not necessary things," and, as a result, often harmful. See Tit 1:11 a me de (which things are not necessary).
14I desire (bouloma). See 2:8.
The younger widows (neoteras). No article and no word for widows, though that is clearly the idea. Neoteras is accusative of general reference with gamein (to marry) the object (present infinitive active) of bouloma.
Bear children (teknogonein). A compound verb here only in N.T. and nowhere else save in Anthol. See teknogonia in 2:15.
Rule the household (oikodespotein). Late verb from oikodespotes (Mr 14:14 ), twice in the papyri, only here in N.T. Note that the wife is here put as ruler of the household, proper recognition of her influence, "new and improved position" (Liddon) .
Occasion (aphormen). Old word (apo, orme), a base to rush from, Pauline use in 2Co 5:12; 11:12; Ga 5:13 .
To the adversary (to antikeimeno). Dative case of the articular participle of antikeima, a Pauline idiom (Php 1:28 ).
Reviling (loidorias). Old word (from loidoreo), in N.T. only here and 1Pe 3:9 . Genitive case with charin.
15Are turned aside (exetrapesan). Second aorist (effective) passive indicative of ektrepo. See 1:6.
After Satan (opiso tou Satana). "Behind Satan." Late use of opiso (behind) as a preposition. Used by Jesus of disciples coming behind (after) him (Mt 16:24 ).
16That believeth (piste). "Believing woman."
Hath widows (eche cheras). The "any believing woman" is one of the household-rulers of verse 14. The "widows" here are the widows dependent on her and who are considered as candidates to be enrolled in the list.
Let her relieve them (eparkeito autais). For this verb (imperative present active) see verse 10.
Let not be burdened (me bareistho). Present passive imperative (in prohibition me) of bareo, old verb (baros, burden), Pauline word (2Co 1:8 ).
That are widows indeed (tais ontos cherais). Dative case with eparkese (first aorist active subjunctive with ina, final clause). See verse 3 for this use of ontos with cherais "the qualified and enrolled widows." Cf. verse 9.
17The elders that rule well (o kalos proestotes presbutero). See verse 1 for ordinary sense of presbuteros for "older man." But here of position in same sense as episkopos ( 3:2) as in Tit 1:5 = episkopos in verse 7. Cf. Luke's use of presbuteros (Ac 20:17 ) = Paul's episkopous (Ac 20:28 ). Proestotes is second perfect active participle of proistem (intransitive use) for which see 3:4.
Let be counted worthy (axiousthosan). Present passive imperative of axioo, to deem worthy (2Th 1:11 ). With genitive case here.
Of double honour (diples times). Old and common contract adjective (diploos, two-fold, in opposition to aploos, single fold). But why "of double honour"? See 6:1 for "of all honour." White suggests "remuneration" rather than "honour" for times (a common use for price or pay). Liddon proposes "honorarium" (both honour and pay and so "double"). Wetstein gives numerous examples of soldiers receiving double pay for unusual services. Some suggest twice the pay given the enrolled widows.
Especially those who labour in word and teaching (malista o kopiontes en logo ka didaskalia). Either those who work hard or toil (usual meaning of kopiao, 2Ti 2:6 ) in preaching and teaching (most probable meaning. See verse 18) or those who teach and preach and not merely preside (a doubtful distinction in "elders" at this time). See Tit 1:8f . See both kopiao and proistama used for same men (elders) in 1Th 5:12 and the use of kopiao in 1Co 15:10; 16:16 .
18Thou shalt not muzzle (ou phimoseis). Prohibition by ou and future (volitive) indicative of phimoo (from phimos, muzzle), old word, quoted also in 1Co 9:9 as here from De 25:4 , and for the same purpose, to show the preacher's right to pay for his work. See 1Co 9:9 for aloonta ( when he treadeth out the corn ).
The labourer is worthy of his hire (axios o ergates tou misthou autou). These words occur in precisely this form in Lu 10:7 . It appears also in Mt 10:10 with tes trophes (food) instead of tou misthou. In 1Co 9:14 Paul has the sense of it and says: "so also the Lord ordained," clearly meaning that Jesus had so said. It only remains to tell whether Paul here is quoting an unwritten saying of Jesus as he did in Ac 20:35 or even the Gospel of Luke or Q (the Logia of Jesus). There is no way to decide this question. If Luke wrote his Gospel before A.D. 62 as is quite possible and Acts by A.D. 63, he could refer to the Gospel. It is not clear whether Scripture is here meant to apply to this quotation from the Lord Jesus. For ergates (labourer) see Php 3:2 .
19Against an elder (kata presbuterou). In the official sense of verses 17f .
Receive not (me paradechou). Present middle imperative with me (prohibition) of paradechoma, to receive, to entertain. Old verb. See Ac 22:18 .
Accusation (kategorian). Old word (from kategoros). In N.T. only here, Tit 1:6; Joh 18:29 in critical text.
Except (ektos e me). For this double construction see 1Co 14:5; 15:2 .
At the mouth of (ep). Idiomatic use of ep (upon the basis of) as in 2Co 13:1 .
20Them that sin (tous amartanontas). The elders who continue to sin (present active participle).
In the sight of all (enopion panton). "In the eye of (o en op on, the one who is in the eye of, then combined = enopion) all" the elders (or even of the church). See next verse 21 and Ga 1:20 . Public rebuke when a clear case, not promiscuous gossip.
May be in fear (phobon echosin). Present active subjunctive with ina (final clause), "may keep on having fear" (of exposure). Possibly, "the rest of the elders."
21The elect angels (ton eklekton angelon). For this triad of God, Christ, angels, see Lu 9:26 . "Elect" in the sense of the "holy" angels who kept their own principality (Jude 1:6 ) and who did not sin (2 Peter 2:4 ). Paul shows his interest in angels in 1Co 4:9; 11:10 .
Observe (phulaxeis). First aorist active subjunctive of phulasso, to guard, to keep (Ro 2:26 ). Subfinal use of ina.
Without prejudice (choris prokrimatos). Late and rare word (from prokino, to judge beforehand), three times in the papyri, here only in N.T. "Without prejudgment."
By partiality (kata prosklisin). Late word from prosklino, to incline towards one (Ac 5:36 ), only here in N.T.
22Lay hands hastily (cheiras tacheos epitithe). Present active imperative of epitithem in the sense of approval (ordination) as in Ac 6:6; 13:3 . But it is not clear whether it is the case of ministers just ordained as in 4:14 (epithesis), or of warning against hasty ordination of untried men, or the recognition and restoration of deposed ministers (verse 20) as suits the context. The prohibition suits either situation, or both.
Be partakers of other men's sins (koinone amartiais allotriais). Present active imperative of koinoneo (from koinonos, partner) with me in prohibition with associative instrumental case as in 2Jo 1:11; Ro 12:13 . On allotrios (belonging to another) see Ro 14:4 .
Keep thyself pure (seauton agnon tere). "Keep on keeping thyself pure." Present active imperative of tereo.
23Be no longer a drinker of water (meket udropote). Present active imperative (prohibition) of udropoteo, old verb (from udropotes, water drinker, udor, pino), here only in N.T. Not complete asceticism, but only the need of some wine urged in Timothy's peculiar physical condition (a sort of medical prescription for this case).
But use a little wine (alla aino oligo chro). Present middle imperative of chraoma with instrumental case. The emphasis is on oligo (a little).
For thy stomach's sake (dia ton stomachon). Old word from stoma (mouth). In Homer throat, opening of the stomach (Aristotle), stomach in Plutarch. Here only in N.T. Our word "stomach."
Thine often infirmities (tas puknas sou astheneias). Puknos is old word, dense, frequent. In N.T. only here, Lu 5:33; Ac 24:26 . Astheneias = weaknesses, lack of strength (Ro 8:26 ). Timothy was clearly a semi-invalid.
24Evident (prodelo). "Openly plain," "plain before all." Old word, in N.T. only here and Heb 7:24 .
Going before unto judgment (proagousa eis krisin). See 1:18 for proago. The sins are so plain that they receive instant condemnation.
And some men also they follow after (tisin de ka epakolouthousin). Associative instrumental case tisin with epakolouthousin for which verb see verse 10, "dog their steps" (Parry) like 1Pe 2:21 , not clearly manifest at first, but come out plainly at last. How true that is of secret sins.
25Such as are otherwise (ta allos echonta). "Those (deeds, erga) which have it otherwise." That is good deeds not clearly manifest.
Cannot be hid (krubena ou dunanta). Second aorist passive infinitive of krupto. There is comfort here for modest preachers and other believers whose good deeds are not known and not blazoned forth. They will come out in the end. See Mt 5:14-16 .
1 Timothy 6