Paul the apostle gave
Timothy directives concerning different people who attended the
church in Ephesus. Among them were “widows” who were
“widows indeed”. According to Paul, Timothy was to
determine whether they were “widows indeed” by observing
their lives and determining whether they concentrated upon spiritual
things such as trusting in God and continuing in prayers day and
night or physical things and lived in pleasure which made them as
though they were “dead while” they lived. Timothy was to
give “these things” to
them “in charge” so they would “be blameless”,
and in chapter five and verse eight Paul shared with Timothy about
those who do not provide for their own “widows” where we
read:
But if any provide not
for his own, and specially for those of his own house,
he has denied the
faith, and is worse than an infidel.
The verse begins, “But
if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own
house,...” Paul begins with
the word “But”
which refers us to the words spoken before it, and he continues with
“if any” or
“whoever” “provide not”
which means “not to take thought or care for” “for
his own” which refers to
“belonging to one's self or one's own” “and
specially” or “especially,
chiefly, most of and above all” “for those of his own
house” which means “belonging
to a house or family, domestic, intimate, related by blood and
kindred”. We see Paul's focus is on those who have “widows”
as relatives but do not care for them, and we should be very
attentive to his next words.
The verse continues, “...he
has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” Paul's
determination of those who do not care for “widows”
within their family was, “he has denied”
which means “disregarded, abjured, abnegated and refused” “the
faith” or “conviction of the
truth of anything and the belief and conviction that God exists and
is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of
eternal salvation through Christ”. He also added, “and
is worse than” or “sorer,
less and morally lower” “an infidel”
or “unfaithful, faithless, unbelieving an incredulous person”.
Paul minced no words concerning those who professed to be Christians
who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and yet neglect
“widows” who
belong to their own families. Not only were they denying their faith
in Jesus, but they were also worse than those who did not believe in
Jesus at all.
While
we meditate upon Paul's words, perhaps people have come to mind who
have neglected “widows”
who were part of their family. Perhaps it was a mother, aunt,
grandmother or sister who have been widowed and no one cares for them
other than paid staff. We should look at our situations and determine
that if we have “widows”
in our families we will not bring the charges of “denied
the faith” or “worse
than an infidel” upon
ourselves. Our witness of the Lord Jesus Christ is on the line, and
we desire to bear “good witness” of Him. This will be
demonstrated by our actions, attitudes and behavior toward our family
“widows”. May the
Lord Jesus bring us to the truth and help us in this area.
Next
time Paul gives an age limit for widows, so read ahead, and we shall
join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the
daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to
Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”,
and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in
all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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