We are to live godly as proof that we know God, and no godliness, no benefits of Christ.
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’ Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear” (vs17-20)
The Lord Jesus shed His blood so that we can be like God: gracious and pure. He who is holy has given us holiness as the fruit of His sufferings, earning heaven, happiness, and holiness for us.
This godliness manifests itself in how we treat people. The pastor isn’t to reprove the aged in harshness and pride, but in gentleness and love. Paul constantly uses the word “beseech” or “entreat” in the King James Version, which means to put your arm around and call someone to a task. A husband may say, “Fix me a plate” in harsh and hateful tones, or he may make the same request in tenderness and love. We are loving people to repentance, knowing that God uses meekness and gentleness. Thus, we minister His way in obedience - “Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brothers; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity” (vs1-2).
Widows are not cared for simply because they have no husband, but they must meet the qualifications of scripture. Thus, we tell women ahead of time, so they can prepare - “Honor widows who are really widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. And these things command, that they may be blameless. But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (vs3-8).
When Paul was coming to see Timothy, he laid out instructions, so that he’d know how to behave in the house of God and what to instruct the people (1 Tim 3:14-15). Likewise, women are told what obedience they need to be WORTHY of the churches financial support in their widowhood, even as Christ lays out the good works MANDATORY of believers, if we’ll meet Him in peace. We come to Him depraved daily, and He gives us grace to obey His command and do good works - “Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work“ (vs9-10).
Some say, “Believers CAN’T do good works. Our righteousness is filthy rags”, but they deny the apostle’s doctrine who repeatedly says that good works are necessary and accompany salvation. Our works of merit and whatever is done to EARN God’s approval are blasphemous and vile. Grace is given FREELY because Christ died and not because of you. But, everyone who has grace, who believes God, gets grace to obey in conduct, and this pleases God. He’s pleased that we take care of our believing mothers and grandmothers, that women prove themselves by good works, and that we follow EVERY good deed.
The unbelieving, when the husband dies, will use the time to talk foolishly, idly stir up trouble in other people’s business, and they will marry unbelievers as proof that they don’t know God and have gone back to the world - “But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not” (vs11-13). These young widows should marry when occasion presents itself, even as ALL believers should marry, if you’re given romantic and mutual interest with another believer. Don’t think marriage is bad, subjection is a hindrance, or loving a woman faithfully is bondage. Don’t hope for something better. God will meet you in peace as the marriage is done His way, and He sanctifies the bed to express your sexual desires - “Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some have already turned aside after Satan. If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows” (vs14-16).
Beware. Christianity isn’t talk. Be ready by good works.
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’ Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear” (vs17-20)
The Lord Jesus shed His blood so that we can be like God: gracious and pure. He who is holy has given us holiness as the fruit of His sufferings, earning heaven, happiness, and holiness for us.
This godliness manifests itself in how we treat people. The pastor isn’t to reprove the aged in harshness and pride, but in gentleness and love. Paul constantly uses the word “beseech” or “entreat” in the King James Version, which means to put your arm around and call someone to a task. A husband may say, “Fix me a plate” in harsh and hateful tones, or he may make the same request in tenderness and love. We are loving people to repentance, knowing that God uses meekness and gentleness. Thus, we minister His way in obedience - “Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brothers; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity” (vs1-2).
Widows are not cared for simply because they have no husband, but they must meet the qualifications of scripture. Thus, we tell women ahead of time, so they can prepare - “Honor widows who are really widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. And these things command, that they may be blameless. But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (vs3-8).
When Paul was coming to see Timothy, he laid out instructions, so that he’d know how to behave in the house of God and what to instruct the people (1 Tim 3:14-15). Likewise, women are told what obedience they need to be WORTHY of the churches financial support in their widowhood, even as Christ lays out the good works MANDATORY of believers, if we’ll meet Him in peace. We come to Him depraved daily, and He gives us grace to obey His command and do good works - “Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work“ (vs9-10).
Some say, “Believers CAN’T do good works. Our righteousness is filthy rags”, but they deny the apostle’s doctrine who repeatedly says that good works are necessary and accompany salvation. Our works of merit and whatever is done to EARN God’s approval are blasphemous and vile. Grace is given FREELY because Christ died and not because of you. But, everyone who has grace, who believes God, gets grace to obey in conduct, and this pleases God. He’s pleased that we take care of our believing mothers and grandmothers, that women prove themselves by good works, and that we follow EVERY good deed.
The unbelieving, when the husband dies, will use the time to talk foolishly, idly stir up trouble in other people’s business, and they will marry unbelievers as proof that they don’t know God and have gone back to the world - “But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not” (vs11-13). These young widows should marry when occasion presents itself, even as ALL believers should marry, if you’re given romantic and mutual interest with another believer. Don’t think marriage is bad, subjection is a hindrance, or loving a woman faithfully is bondage. Don’t hope for something better. God will meet you in peace as the marriage is done His way, and He sanctifies the bed to express your sexual desires - “Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some have already turned aside after Satan. If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows” (vs14-16).
Beware. Christianity isn’t talk. Be ready by good works.
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