The enemy here may refer to the church’s adversaries who looked for every chance to tear others down or the devil himself. Perhaps Paul did not see much difference between the two (4:1). The importance of Paul’s counsel was in fact came too late to preserve the congregation because some people have already turned away to follow Satan. Since it is better late than never, Paul was aware of this issue in the churches. So he made a strong point not to put younger women not on the list.
Paul further wanted his instructions about widows should be clear women as well as men (5:16). While reiterating the same point, Paul specified that any believing woman who has a widow in their home and who possessed the means bore the same responsibilities for widows in her family. This would relieve the church of the responsibility so that the church could help those widows who were really in need.
The first responsibility for support of a widow is at the home; the church is to support the truly destitute who are godly.
Certainly we must honour our parents and grandparents and seek to provide for them if they have needs. Not every Christian family is able to take in another member, and not every widow wants to live with her children. Where there is sickness or handicap, professional care is necessary, and perhaps this cannot be given in a home. Each family must decide what God’s will is in the matter, and no decision is easy. The important thing is that believers show love and concern and do all they can to help each other.
Concern for the elders: (5:17-18)
In the first century churches, there used to be many elders with the pastor in the church. These elders oversee the affairs of the congregation and deacons providing some support. The elders were devoting their full time for the ministry. There were 2-kinds of elders.
- Ruling elders: They supervise the work of the congregation. They maintain the discipline of the church besides any disputes
- Teaching elders: They are chosen on the basis of God’s call. They teach and lead the congregation and are well equipped by the Holy Spirit. After they were chosen, they were ordained and set apart for the ministry (Acts 14:23).
Every church needs both ruling and teaching elders. The Holy Spirit leads the and provide them the needed gifts of the Holy Spirit. If the church lacks such elders, they only waste their resources and opportunities.
- If any church does not have a strong godly leader, the church would end up in chaos.
- Some churches have leaders who dictate and rule over the people. It is a disgrace to the Gospel.
- Some churches have only ruling elders without teaching elders. Such churches would not grow.
- Some churches have neither ruling elders nor teaching elders, but only the pastor. Such churches would live for a short time and die.
For the work of overseeing, the elders were being provided a stipend, but those who excelled in this ministry of leadership were to be considered worthy of double honorarium or twice the remuneration or in other words generous pay. Yes the “labourer deserves his wages” (Lk.10:7). If the pastor is faithful in feeding and leading the congregation, the church ought to be faithful and pay them adequately. It is God’s command that the needs of His servants must be met by the local churches. If the church is not faithful and not meeting the needs of the pastor, it is a poor testimony and God has ways of dealing with the situation. He can provide other means, but then the church misses the blessing or God may move His servant elsewhere. The scripture clearly says: “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading the grain” (5:18; Deu.25:4).
At the same time a pastor should never work for the sake of money. The ministry should not be a job or vacation, but it should be a call. Many pastors change their ministry for the sake of big salaries or facilities or for financial gains. This shows their lack of commitment.
Disciplining the elders: (5:19-22):
Church leaders are not exempt from sins and mistakes. But often they are criticized for wrong reasons, minor imperfections or failure to meet someone’s expectations. It is sad if a church member or the elder or leader to be disciplined. If a leader falls, it has cascading effects on the church. We must understand that the purpose of the discipline is restoration but not revenge or drive him away from the congregation. Our attitude should always be tenderness with love.