Paul
was concerned about several social issues confronting the church in Ephesus. In
these verses he gave instructions on how to handle the widows in the church. He
began with the issue relating to the needs of
the widows in the church at Ephesus. From the Bible, we know that God has great
concern for the protection of women. Describing the women as a weaker sex, God
in various portions of His Word has stipulated that care must be accorded to
them, especially when they are bereft of their husbands. Thus, from verses
3-16, Paul instructed Timothy on how to care for the widows in the church.
To begin with, the term “widows” refers to women who have
lost their husbands, particularly through death. Being deprived of her husband
would seriously disadvantage a widow, and therefore help ought to be rendered
to her. Paul told Timothy that the church should shoulder some responsibilities
in the care of widows.
Firstly, in verse 3, Paul said that the first duty of the
church relating to widows is to provide some means of support for them. He
said: Honor widows who are widows indeed. Paul was strongly advocating that
genuine widows, those totally deprived of husbands to take care of them, ought
to be honored. The word “honor” has to do with more than just showing respect.
It implies giving monetary assistance as well. Not wanting the church to go
caring for widows carelessly, Paul specified the categories of widows who
deserve to receive help. Hence, the second duty of the church is to assess
widows who truly need support.
The church must not be frivolous relating to her support to
widows. If a widow needs financial assistance, her family has the first
responsibility. Her children and grandchildren must adopt the support. Verse 4
gives the reason why the first line of support should come from the family.
Piety, according to Paul, must begin in the home, and God fully endorsed this.
Furthermore, in verse 8, we are told that family members, meaning the children
or grandchildren, who refused to provide for their widowed mothers or
grandmothers, are classified as people who have denied the faith and are worse
than infidels or unbelievers. Thus, the first category of widows the church
should consider assisting are those with no family members to shoulder the
responsibility.
In verse 5, we see the next category of widows that the
church should consider helping. They are the godly widows who place their hope
in God and seek Him in prayers constantly. They should be given assistance. And
in contrast, those widows who give in to reckless pleasure and are spiritually
dead deserve no financial aid from the church.
Another category of widows deserving help is described from
verses 9-16. They are widows who are above 60 years of age and display high
standards of conduct. In verse 9, we are introduced to a list. What is this
list? It is probably an official list of those who were serving in some kind of
full time capacity in the church. The qualifications of those who made it into
the list are very much like those required of an elder or deacon. The
criterions that would make them qualified are shown in verses 9 and 10. Having
dealt with those who qualified, Paul then went on to deal with those who are
disqualified. The catalog of disqualifications includes younger widows who
might have the tendency to return to gratify their carnal desire. When that
happened, they would want to remarry and renege on their pledge to serve God.
Then it would reflect negatively on them. Furthermore, they also would have the
tendency to be idle by going from house to house, being nosey parkers and
spreading gossips. In so doing, they would create havoc and even end up doing
unmentionable deeds. Paul’s advice for such widows was for them to get married
again and raise a godly family. As they do that, they would not give the enemy
any quarter to discredit them, or God, or the church. Regarding this, Paul
pointed out that some younger widows had already fallen prey to Satan. In
discussing this list, Paul actually directed us to the third duty of the church
regarding widows. That is, the church must ensure that widows selected to serve
in the church meet and maintain godly standards.
So, in caring for needy widows in the community of believers,
Paul said the first responsibility rests with a widow’s family members, the
children and grandchildren. The second responsibility is seen in verse 16.
Women, who are well-off and able to shoulder the needs of dependent widows in
their families, should adopt that duty. When they pick up the responsibility,
the church would not be overburdened and thus, be freed to assist those with no
other means of help. The responsibility to provide for widows should only rest
on the church as a final resort. When there is no other means, one of the
church’s responsibilities is to see to the needs of their widows.
The church of Jesus Christ needs to seriously consider what
Paul had said here. Of them all, I think what really stands out for me is that
family members must take on the responsibility first. When they cannot, than
the church ought to consider helping the needy.
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