April 8
________________________________________
ON REBUKING AND PROVIDING FOR FAMILY
Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to the younger men as brothers, 2 to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.3 Honor widows who are actually widows; 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is actually a widow and has been left alone has set her hope on God, and she continues in requests and prayers night and day. 6 But she who indulges herself in luxury is dead, even while she lives. 7 Give these instructions as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8 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.
– 1 Timothy 5:1-8
________________________________________
In this letter of Paul to Timothy, he gives the believers guidelines how to rebuke in love. The word rebuke in Hebrew has three different words: ga’ar- to chide, reprimand; ge’arah- chiding, rebuke; and cherpah- contumely, disgrace. As a member of the body of Christ, each believer is expected to care for one another. When one loves one another, they do not want their brothers or sisters in Christ to fall away from the faith. It is important to correct or rebuke if one of the members of the body is sinning. Paul gives them a guideline how to rebuke. To an older man, it must be in the form of a plea or a petition. To rebuke a younger man, it must be done like you would to a brother. To an older woman, it must be like you would to your own mother, respectful. And to the younger woman, as if they were your sister, in purity.
According to Susan E. Hylen, a professor of New Testament comments on widows and said that the notion that widows needed someone to take care of them rests on ideas about the legal and social status of women. A wife was dependent on her husband, and when he died, she went to live with her father’s household if he was alive, or to an adult son if she had one. Having a father or son was fortunate, because otherwise widows were entirely without resources. Widows were also legally subordinate to these male relatives.
Paul instructs Timothy to make sure that widows are taken cared of especially by her family members. In verse 8 Paul says that if one doesn’t provide for his own household, he has turned back on his faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is rebuking another believer really important for the body of Christ?