Visible Models of Christianity IV 1 Timothy 5:1-2

Treatment of Church Members “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.” 1 Timothy 5:1-2

Treatment of Church Members “Paul instructs Timothy (to the Pastors (s)), how to treat the various members in the Church: Older men as fathers Young men as brothers A mature women as mothers Younger women as sisters, and with purity

Treatment of Church Members “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.” 1 Timothy 5:1-2

“Do not rebuke…but exhort him 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Επιπλεσσο [ep-ee-place'-so] 1)to strike upon, beat upon 2) to chastise with words, to chide, upbraid, rebuke

Treatment of Church Members Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

Treatment of Church Members It has often been said that 10 percent of communication is verbal (actual content) and the other 90 percent of communication is nonverbal (tone and body language).

Treatment of Church Members example alone can't get the job done of “command[ing] certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer”

Treatment of Church Members A confrontation was brewing, and Timothy needed to know what to say and how to say it. As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine” I Tim. 1:3

Treatment of Church Members “Correction [discipline] is like medicine that always carries a certain measure of bitterness, and therefore it is undesirable” -John Calvin

Timothy needed to “exhort” [to come alongside of] those elders. This word has a sense of gentle asking, pleading, and encouraging. It is a word indicating that one is looking toward the future, not the past.

Crisóstomo wrote: by nature a rebuke is offensive when it has been directed to an older person, and when it has come from a younger person… prudence then is a requirement, gentleness in order not to offend. William Barclay

Treatment of Older Believers “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father 2 older women as mothers” Eph 6:2-3 – “Honor” [prize, fix a valuation upon, revere] Deut 27:16 – “Cursed is the one who treats his father or mother with contempt” [despise, dishonor, make light] Prov 20:20 – “Whoever curses [to be trifling, light. YLT: “Vilifying”, spread negative information] his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in deep darkness.”

Treatment of Older Believers “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father 2 older women as mothers” HINDERENCES to Correction: Awareness of personal sins Laziness Fear A misunderstanding of Matthew 7:1--“Do not judge lest you be judged.” Relative morality Uncertainty as to whether or not to correct

Preparation to Correct: 1. Is my life an example? 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul exhorts Timothy to set an example of godliness. 2. Do I have an adequate relationship with the person? 3. Do I have the facts? Proverbs 18:13 states, “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.” Biblical communication is based on truth

Preparation to Correct: 4. Do I have the right motives and objectives? Your motive should be to obey God by loving your neighbor (Matt. 22:39). 5. Do I have the right wording? Jesus says (Matt. 18:15) that we are to “reprove” our brother with a view to winning him. “Reprove” was a legal word used of a lawyer convincing the court of his case. 6. Is it God’s time for me to go? 7. Am I prepared to risk rejection and attack

1. Be as private as the wrong. How to Correct: 1. Be as private as the wrong. If it’s a private matter, don’t correct the person in front of others. Don’t take someone with you at first if it is a strictly personal matter. Matthew 18:15-17 Some matters require public confrontation. In Galatians 2:11-14, Paul confronted Peter “in the presence of all.” It was a public matter affecting many people, so Paul dealt with it publicly. 2. Be cautious and wise. Paul tells Timothy to deal with the younger women as sisters “in all purity” (1 Tim. 5:2).

4. Be humble, not judgmental [be cautious of spiritual pride] How to Correct: 3. Be direct and open 4. Be humble, not judgmental [be cautious of spiritual pride] 5. Be gentle, but firm. “Do not sharply rebuke” (1 Tim. 5:1). The word means, don’t strike him with words. Don’t ride roughshod over the person. “Appeal” is the same word translated “exhortation” in 4:13. It means to come alongside to help.

7. Be persistent if necessary How to Correct: 6. Be able to point him to God’s Word and to the necessary steps toward restoration 7. Be persistent if necessary