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Wesley's Explanatory Notes

1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy 5:5

Widows indeed — Who have no near relations to provide for them; and who are wholly devoted to God. Desolate — Having neither children, nor grandchildren to relieve her.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:6

She that liveth in pleasure — Delicately, voluptuously, in elegant, regular sensuality, though not in the use of any such pleasures as are unlawful in themselves.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:8

If any provide not — Food and raiment. For his own — Mother and grandmother, being desolate widows. He hath — Virtually. Denied the faith — Which does not destroy, but perfect, natural duties. What has this to do with heaping up money for our children, for which it is often so impertinently alleged?... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:9

Let not a widow be chosen — Into the number of deaconesses, who attended sick women or travelling preachers. Under threescore — Afterwards they were admitted at forty, if they were eminent for holiness. Having been the wife of one husband — That is, having lived in lawful marriage, whether with one... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:11

Refuse — Do not choose. For when they are waxed wanton against Christ — To whose more immediate service they had addicted themselves. They want to marry — And not with a single eye to the glory of God; and so withdraw themselves from that entire service of the church to which they were before engage... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:12

They have rejected their first faith — Have deserted their trust in God, and have acted contrary to the first conviction, namely, that wholly to devote themselves to his service was the most excellent way. When we first receive power to believe, does not the Spirit of God generally point out what ar... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:14

I counsel therefore the younger women — Widows or virgins, such as are not disposed to live single. To marry, to bear children, to guide the family — Then will they have sufficient employment of their own. And give no occasion of reproach to the adversary — Whether Jew or heathen.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:17

Let the elders that rule well — Who approve themselves faithful stewards of all that is committed to their charge. Be counted worthy of double honour — A more abundant provision, seeing that such will employ it all to the glory of God. As it was the most laborious and disinterested men who were put... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:19

Against an elder — Or presbyter. Do not even receive an accusation, unless by two or three witnesses — By the Mosaic law, a private person might be cited (though not condemned) on the testimony of one witness; but St. Paul forbids an elder to be even cited on such evidence, his reputation being of m... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:21

I charge thee before God — Referring to the last judgment, in which we shall stand before God and Christ, with his elect, that is, holy, angels, who are the witnesses of our conversation. The apostle looks through his own labours, and even through time itself, and seems to stand as one already in et... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:22

Lay hands suddenly on no man — That is, appoint no man to church offices without full trial and examination; else thou wilt be accessary to, and accountable for, his misbehaviour in his office. Keep thy self pure — From the blood of all men.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:24

Some men's sins are manifest beforehand — Before any strict inquiry be made. Going before to judgment — So that you may immediately judge them unworthy of any spiritual office. And some they — Their sins. Follow after — More covertly.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Timothy 5:25

They that are otherwise — Not so manifest. Cannot be long hid — From thy knowledge. On this account, also, be not hasty in laying on of hands.... [ Continue Reading ]

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