READ: 1 Timothy 4:13-16
Godly Leaders are careful to shepherd, not only in action, but
especially with words. “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.” - Leviticus 19:32
- 1 Timothy 5:1-2 - “Do not rebuke (chastise with your words) an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.” (sinlessness in life)
Godly Leaders manage the care of widows and purpose to exhort them to cling to Christ. “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” - Psalm 68:5
- 1 Timothy 5:3-16 - “Honor (tim-ah-o: to revere, venerate) widows (khay-rah: barren, without care and support, i.e - a city with no inhabitants) who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household (to act piously, reverently with their family) and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications (seeking, asking, entreating) and prayers (address God) night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent (spat-al-ah-o: give oneself to pleasure) is dead even while she lives. (zao thnay-sko: to live without life) 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Let a widow be enrolled (choose to be listed for cared) if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions (the want to act on the impulse of sexual desire) draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation (judegment of God) for having abandoned their former faith. (been- previously reliable, pristinely faithful, not pulled away) 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, (inactive, at leisure) going about from house to house, and not only idlers, (going about the home alone and inactive, not taking care of her responsibilities) but also gossips (babbling, talking and doing silly things) and busybodies, saying what they should not. (neglecting the important things and busy not minding their own business) 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, (oy-kay-dos-po-teo: manage family affairs) and give the (an) adversary no occasion for slander.
