(1) 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.
All four of these groups need to be treated with utmost respect. The older men and women are to be treated as their own parents, and the younger as siblings in their own family, with the extra admonition for the young women.
(3) Honor widows who are widows indeed;
This would be a widow who doesn't have any means of support.
(4) but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
Natural families are to care for one another in the family. Especially so when the whole family is Christian.
(5) Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.
I am reminded of Anna, the 87 year old widow who regularly went to the Temple, fasting and praying (Luke 2: 37). As a widow, I don't need to go to the church building to learn of God and His provision, I have my own Bible.
(6) But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives.
A woman who only pursues worldly means of meeting her needs is denying the spiritual life that should be in her as a Christian, and may only have a religion instead of the relationship God wants with us all, and is therefore spiritually dead.
(7) Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.
As a doctor prescribes the medication, Timothy as the pastor is to command that these standards be upheld in order to protect the congregation from blame.
(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.
Church members who have older family members need to consider how their parents sacrificed to raise them to adulthood; now the adult children are to return the courtesy and show their appreciation for their parents by helping them in their needs now that they are older. This is only right.
(9) A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
(10) having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.
Here are the requirements for a widow to be enrolled onto the list of those the church will take care of. The wife of one man is the same construction as the stipulation for the elder and the deacon (3: 2 and 3: 12); she is to have been a faithful wife to her husband. Only scholars with a strong ascetic or ecclesiastical bias would insist that this means "only married once." Verse 14 shows that widows were not forbidden to remarry.
Several tasks of generosity and humility in serving are listed here showing the desired and expected general attitude and lifestyle of a Christian woman in that culture. It ends with noting that she is generally a helper, not a troublemaker.
(11) But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard for Christ, they want to get married,
(12) thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.
If a younger widow desires to be put on this list, she would be pledging herself to the Lord in never marrying again, which would be a foolish promise, not realizing that in her youthfulness she would more naturally desire to marry another husband and have a family. This would break her promise to the Lord.
(13) At the same time they learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.
These women would likely end up not knowing what to do with their days, and "idleness is the devil's workshop." Having been deprived of purpose, they can become gossips and busybodies, getting into everyone else's business.
(14) Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;
(15) for some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
The younger women need purpose, so should seek to have another family or to serve in some specific capacity, to keep busy and not fall into the habits of boredom, as evidently some already had in that congregation.
(16) If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.
This family responsibility to care for the elderly parents or grandparents falls not only on the sons and grandsons, but also on their daughters and granddaughters. Family is family, and in Christ there is no more male or female (Galatians 3: 28). Different roles to play are assigned, but responsibilities are carried by all.
O my Father, please help us to be able to care for our own families. Give us the family love that we need to have to find ways to help one another of our family members. And then we will see how we can help our church family members, also.
My Father, You have already met all of our needs, and so many of Your blessings have human finger prints all over them! You love to use us to help one another, and You will give one more than she needs so she can share it with another.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
