1 Timothy 5:1-2: Intreat, Not Rebuke, With All Purity
2021-10-30
Intreating is softer than rebuking. If a church member needs to be confronted, a gentler way is the Christ way. Gentler is the best way to interact with anyone who needs correcting. This is especially the case when dealing with someone who is older than you, because we must show respect to them. “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:32). “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31).
Notice here in 1 Timothy 5:1-2, Timothy is to treat the other church members as family. Previously we saw how the church was the house or household of God (1 Timothy 3:15). They truly are family. When you speak to an older man or woman, you would exhibit respect, like you should to your father or mother. The younger men and women are like siblings. The dynamic might be different, but there is a family bond there.
The end of verse 2 adds “with all purity” after addressing the younger women. I think this is done here for good reason. I believe this is because potential immorality and inappropriateness could ensue if Timothy does not relate to them with a pure heart. Not only that, even if he has pure motives, he could be accused of impurity if he does not appear pure. “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).