In this chapter, Paul is giving Timothy instruction on how church members should treat one another and the whole emphasis is on carefulness, submission and humility. Relationships should be maintained “with all purity” (v 2) and verses 1 and 2 offer a word of caution to younger men; they must not rebuke an older man but exhort him as a father, treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers and younger women as sisters. If relationships are treated in this way they will remain pure.

Honour is a term that shows respect, a respect demonstrated by our attitude and through financial support. Paul uses this term in regard to what should be shown to widows who are really widows. Widows are those who have family to help support them whereas the one who is “really a widow” is one without family support. In verse 8, Paul says a believer is to provide for “his own” (his near relatives) and his household (his immediate family) and failure to do so is equal to denial of the faith.

As the church of the Lord Jesus Christ we can learn much from what Paul writes to Timothy. We should treat one another with carefulness, submission and humility and show the greatest gift, love (1 Cor. 13), without which we are sounding brass or a clanging symbol. We should seek to discern those in need of support and act to relieve their situation, a demonstration of love in action. Our relationships, as much as it depends on us, are to be maintained with all purity so that the name of the Lord is not defiled.

Let our prayer be that we treat each other carefully with love, carefulness, submission, humility and purity so that the name of the Lord is not defiled.

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH