“Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” (1 Timothy 5:1b,2)
Read 1 Timothy 5:1–22.
St. Paul gives quite the list of dos and don’ts to Timothy in today’s reading. I wonder what particular issues Paul was compelled to correct.
We are given a general clue to the situation in verses 1 and 2: “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” The passage speaks of acting mercifully, kindly, with compassion and integrity.
Paul exhorts us, too, to recognise those “who are really in need” (1 Timothy 5:3), to provide for our relatives (1 Timothy 5:8), to show hospitality (1 Timothy 5:10) and to honour spiritual leaders and teachers (1 Timothy 5:17). We are to keep ourselves pure and thereby act toward others with integrity.
Unfortunately, we don’t always act how we should. Acting kindly, loving mercy, walking humbly (Micah 6:8) — well, that’s quite the challenge! How blessed are we that we have a Saviour who forgives us when we have acted badly and forgives us when we have failed to act justly. Jesus died and rose for us, for me, and He sees me as His holy child. I am a sinner and, at the same time, through Jesus, I am a saint. Thank you, Jesus.
Read also Galatians 5:19-26 for contrasting behaviors.
Prayer
Father in heaven, it’s not easy to act kindly, love mercy and walk humbly as I journey through life. Help me treat others as You treat me — with kindness, compassion and love. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Pray, praise, give thanks, and stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
