1 Timothy 5:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:1-2

Here the apostle gives rules to Timothy, and in him to other ministers, in reproving. Ministers are reprovers by office; it is a part, though the least pleasing part, of their office; they are to preach the word, to reprove and rebuke, 2 Tim. 4:2. A great difference is to be made in our reproofs, according to the age, quality, and other circumstances, of the persons rebuked; thus, and elder in age or office must be entreated as a father; on some have compassion, making a difference, Jude 1:22.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 5:1-2

5:1-2 If you have occasion to reprimand an older man, do not do so sharply, but appeal to him as you would to a father. Treat the younger men like brothers; the older women as mothers; the younger women as sisters, in complete purity. It is always difficult to reprimand anyone with graciousness; and to Timothy there would sometimes fall a duty that was doubly difficult--that of reprimanding a man older than himself. Chrysostom writes: "Rebuke is in its own nature offensive particularly... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 5:1-2

These two verses lay down the spirit which the different age relationships should display. (i) To older people we must show affection and respect. An older man is to be treated like a father and an older woman like a mother. The ancient world knew well the deference and respect which were due to age. Cicero writes: "It is, then, the duty of a young man to show deference to his elders, and to attach himself to the best and most approved of them, so as to receive the benefit of their counsel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:1

Rebuke not an elder ,.... By whom is meant, not an elder in office, but in age; for elders by office are afterwards spoken of, and particular rules concerning them are given, 1 Timothy 5:17 . Besides, an elder is here opposed, not to a private member of a church, but to young men in age; and the apostle is here giving rules to be observed in rebuking members of churches, according to their different age and sex, and not according to their office and station; and this sense is confirmed by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:2

The elder women as mothers ,.... When they offend in any point, they are to be reasoned, and argued, and pleaded with, as children should with their mothers; see Hosea 2:2 and are to be considered as mothers in Israel, and to be treated with great tenderness and respect. The younger as sisters ; using the freedom as a brother may with a sister; and considering them as sisters in Christ, and in a way becoming the relation, tell them their faults freely and privately, but with all... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:1

Rebuke not an elder - That is, an elderly person; for the word πρεσβυτερος is here taken in its natural sense, and signifies one advanced in years. At 1 Timothy 5:17 , it is taken in what may be termed its ecclesiastical meaning, and signifies, an officer in the Church, what we commonly call a presbyter or bishop; for sometimes these terms were confounded. There are but few cases in which it at all becomes a young man to reprove an old man, and especially one who is a father in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:2

The elder women as mothers - Treating them with the respect due to their age. The younger as sisters - Feel for every member of the Church, old and young, male and female; consider them as fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters; treat them all with gentleness; and labor to keep them in, not to expel them from, the Church. With all purity - Εν πασῃ ἁγνειᾳ· With all chastity. See the note on 1 Timothy 4:12 . There are some who seem to take a barbarous pleasure in expelling... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:1

Verse 1 1Do not harshly rebuke an elder He now recommends to Timothy gentleness and moderation in correcting faults. Correction is a medicine, which has always some bitterness, and consequently is disagreeable. Besides, Timothy being a young man, his severity would have been less tolerable, if it had not been somewhat moderated. But exhort him as a father The Apostle enjoins him to reprove elder persons as parents; and he even employs the milder term, exhort It is impossible not to be moved... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:2

Verse 2 2The younger as sisters, with all chastity The phrase, with all chastity, relates to younger women; for at that age they ought always to dread every kind of suspicion. Yet Paul does not forbid Timothy to have any criminal or immodest conduct towards young women, (for there was no need of such a prohibition,) but only enjoins him to beware of giving to wicked men any handle for laughter. For this purpose, he demands a chaste gravity, which shall shine throughout all their intercourse and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:1

Exhort for intreat , A.V.; and omitted. Rebuke not ( μὴ ἐπιπλήξης ); only here in the New Testament for the more usual ἐπιτιμάω ( 2 Timothy 4:2 , and frequently in the Gospels) or ἐλέγχω , as Titus 1:13 ; Titus 2:15 ; Revelation 3:19 , and elsewhere. In classical Greek it expresses a sharp castigation with words. Compare the "patruae verbera linguae" (Hor., 'Od.,' 3. Revelation 12:3 ). It answers to the Latin objurgo . An elder ( πρεσβυτέρῳ ). The... read more

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