Scripture Read: 1
Timothy 5:1-2 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the
younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the
younger women as sisters, in all purity
Application: Your
Word Lord is so practical in everyway. Yes, we are taught many doctrinal issues
that are so important, but we are also brought down to the everyday “nitty-gritty” of life.
Paul moves from that deep instruction about False teachers and guarding our
doctrine, and gives us straight forward instruction on how believers should
treat each other on an “everyday” basis. He gave us further instruction in his writing to
the Galatians:
Often, particularly
“we
theologians” are so~ focused on doctrine, we miss the application and
how it should change our lives. That certainly was the Pharisees’ problem. If
the “doctrine” of Christ
does not come out in our actions toward one another, what good is it? Jesus
would not be happy about that, He spoke most fiercely against that kind of
religion. His brother James wrote a whole book exposing the hypocrisy of head
knowledge only! What is so great about this passage is that it also answers the
question about how to deal with “authority” in the body
of Christ, because age carries with it respect which often translates into
authority. Older men and women have a natural authority in society that we
become accustomed to. We who are older should be examples of humility, not
demanding or using our position for our own acclaim. Whether young - men or
women, “we” should not be trying to correct by putting down or being
rude, instead we should show respect always, especially when it deals with
issues where the older person has done wrong, showing love always, so that they
will know us by our love, first.
It should be
mentioned, we are not left in silence concerning the question of dealing with
the brother or sister in a fault or in sin. Your Word makes it clear that there
should be accountability, but our approach should be measured. Here, the Greek
really helps us. Paul tells us not to “sharply rebuke” an older
person.
ἐπιπλήσσω epiplḗssō; from epí, upon, and plḗssō, to
strike. To strike or give blows upon, to beat. In the NT, used only
metaphorically meaning to chide, rebuke to chastise with words, to
rebuke, reprove.[1]
We may still
confront the wrong, but we need to guard our approach. Instead of speaking
firmly from a superior position, even though we are in the right, we should
temper ourself because our goal iis to restore, not show who is right or wrong.
The word “appeal” in the original expresses that:
Παρακαλέω parakaléō; from pará, to the side of, and kaléō, to
call. To aid, help, comfort, encourage. Translated: to comfort, exhort, desire,
call for, beseech [2]
Interestingly, we
get our word παράκλητος paráklētos, from this, which of course is the word used as the name for
the Holy Spirit. The picture we have from these words is a command to “come
alongside” as we see the Holy Spirit even described also as the
Comforter. Not to ignore the wrong,
but we are to “come alongside” and encourage the
older believer to do what is right. In each relationship mentioned we cannot
forget our “family” connection – mother, brother
and sister. This places the highest expectation on how we should love one
another. Lord let me be a reflection of You.
Meditation Questions: When
you confront someone what is the main thing in your mind? What steps do you
take before you confront someone? What steps do you take after you confront
someone? Have you ever been confronted? How did it feel? What could have been
done better? What does the word respect mean to you? Is respect earned or
given? Can you show respect to a person you do not respect? What does that look
like? Why would you do that?
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