As Paul the apostle
continued to give instructions to Timothy, he covered very thoroughly
the area of caring for “widows” who were “widows
indeed”. Among Paul's directions were that Timothy determine by
their spiritual focus whether a woman was a “widow indeed”,
families should care for their “widows” before the church,
the widow should be at least sixty years old and “having been
the wife of one man”. We might think those were enough
characteristics to look for in a widow, but in chapter five and verse
ten of his letter to Timothy, Paul included a few more where we read:
Well reported of for
good works; if she has brought up children, if she has lodged
strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved
the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
The verse begins, “Well
reported of for good works;” Paul
continued his list with, “Well reported of”
or “to be or bear witness of, utter honorable testimony,
give a good report and affirm that one has seen or heard or
experienced something” “for good works” which means
“beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing,
precious, useful, suitable, commendable and admirable business,
employment, enterprise, undertaking or that which any one is occupied
that which one undertakes to do”. In other words, the “widows”
for whom the church should be caring are industrious women who have
taken care to transact their own business in a manner that is known
and admired by others.
The
verse continues, “ if she has brought up children, if she
has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has
relieved the afflicted,...” Paul
went on to add examples of “good works”
as he wrote, “if she has brought up children”
or “raised and fulfilled the role of the female parent”;“if
she has lodged strangers”
which means “received and entertained hospitably people she
really didn't know”; “if she has washed” which means
“cleansed and performed ablution over” “the saint's feet”
or “the holy ones' feet”; and “if she has relieved” or
“availed or been strong enough for, aided or gave assistance to”
“the afflicted” which literally means “pressed, pressed
hard upon or compressed” and refers to those who were “troubled,
afflicted and distressed”. In each of these examples the
“widows” who should be cared for by the church have cared for
others themselves.
Finally the verse says, “if
she has diligently followed every good work.” As
though to add an all-encompassing trait of “widows
indeed”, Paul added, “if
she has diligently followed”
or “accompanied closely like treading in one's footsteps and
imitating” “every”
or “each, any, all and the whole” “good” which
means “useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy,
excellent, distinguished, upright and honorable” “work”
or “business, employment, act, deed, thing done or that which any
one is occupied”. In other words, the “widows” for whom
the church should care should be diligent in everything they do.
While we take the time to
think about Paul's words, we may wonder if we would qualify to be
cared for by the church if these were the requirements. It is
interesting to note that Paul did not say the “widows” to
be cared for should be doing or having done nothing. No, rather they
were to have a reputation for diligence, activity and good works.
Perhaps this should motivate everyone toward this manner of living.
In a day when many think it is quite alright to do nothing and be
cared for by outside agencies, perhaps it should be understood that
if this is the requirement for “widows” for whom care
should be given, how much more should it be followed by those who are
not in their state? May the Lord Jesus help us to know the power of
His word.
Next
time Paul lists more qualities that should be found in a widow for
whom the church was to care, 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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