God’s Word Translation
1 Timothy 5:1
1Never use harsh words when you correct an older man, but talk to him as if he were your father. Talk to younger men as if they were your brothers,
1 Timothy 5:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
- New International Version (NIV)Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,
Context of 1 Timothy 5:1
Never use harsh words when you correct an older man, but talk to him as if he were your father. Talk to younger men as if they were your brothers, 2older women as if they were your mothers, and younger women as if they were your sisters, while keeping yourself morally pure. 3Honor widows who have no families.
Read all of 1 Timothy 51 Timothy 5:1 word by word
Πρεσβυτέρῳ μὴ ἐπιπλήξῃς ἀλλὰ παρακάλει ὡς πατέρα, νεωτέρους ὡς ἀδελφούς,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Rebukeἐπιπλήσσωepiplēssō · to rebukeG1969
- notμήmē · notG3361
- an elderπρεσβύτεροςpresbuteros · elder: oldG4245
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- intreatπαρακαλέωparakaleō · to plead/comfortG3870
- asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
- a fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
- the younger menνέοςneos neōteros · newG3501
- brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
Cross-references for 1 Timothy 5:1
- 1 Timothy 5:19Don’t pay attention to an accusation against a spiritual leader unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
- Leviticus 19:32“Show respect to the elderly, and honor older people. In this way you show respect for your God. I am the Lord.
- Deuteronomy 33:9They said that they didn’t know their father and mother. They didn’t recognize their own brothers. They didn’t acknowledge their own children. But they obeyed your word and were faithful to the terms of your promise.
- Galatians 2:11When Cephas came to Antioch, I had to openly oppose him because he was completely wrong.
- 1 Timothy 5:17Give double honor to spiritual leaders who handle their duties well. This is especially true if they work hard at teaching God’s word.
- Acts 14:23They had the disciples in each church choose spiritual leaders, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted the leaders to the Lord in whom they believed.
- Acts 15:4The church in Jerusalem, the apostles, and the spiritual leaders welcomed Paul and Barnabas when they arrived. Paul and Barnabas reported everything that God had done through them.
- Acts 20:17From Miletus Paul sent messengers to the city of Ephesus and called the spiritual leaders of the church to meet with him ⌞in Miletus⌟.
- James 5:14If you are sick, call for the church leaders. Have them pray for you and anoint you with olive oil in the name of the Lord.
- 1 Peter 5:1I appeal to your spiritual leaders. I make this appeal as a spiritual leader who also witnessed Christ’s sufferings and will share in the glory that will be revealed.
- 2 John 1:1From the church leader. To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love because we share the truth. I’m not the only one who loves you. Everyone who knows the truth also loves you.
- 3 John 1:1From the church leader. To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love because we share the truth.
- Revelation 4:4Around that throne were 24 other thrones, and on these thrones sat 24 leaders wearing white clothes. They had gold crowns on their heads.
- Romans 13:7Pay everyone whatever you owe them. If you owe taxes, pay them. If you owe tolls, pay them. If you owe someone respect, respect that person. If you owe someone honor, honor that person.
- Galatians 6:1Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted.
- 2 Timothy 2:24A servant of the Lord must not quarrel. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be a good teacher. He must be willing to suffer wrong.
Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Rebuke not an elder - That is, an elderly person; for the word is here taken in its natural sense, and signifies one advanced in years. At 1 Timothy 5:17, it is taken in what may be termed its ecclesiastical meaning, and signifies, an officer in the Church, what we commonly call a presbyter or bishop; for sometimes these terms were confounded. There are but few cases in which it at all becomes a young man to reprove an old man, and especially one who is a…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Rebuke not an elder - The word “elder” here is not used in the sense in which it often is, to denote an officer of the church, a presbyter, but in its proper and usual sense, to denote an aged man. This is evident, because the apostle immediately mentions in contradistinction from the elder, “the younger men,” where it cannot be supposed that he refers to them as officers. The command to treat the “elder” as a “father,” also shows the same thing. By the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Directions as to the elder and younger men and women. (1-2) And as to poor widows. (3-8) Concerning widows. (9-16) The respect to be paid to elders. Timothy is to take care in rebuking offenders, in ordaining ministers, and as to his own health. (17-25) Verses 1-2 Respect must be paid to the dignity of years and place. The younger, if faulty, must be rebuked, not as desirous to find fault with them, but as willing to make the best of them. There is need…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-25Proper behavior in God's spiritual household involves everyone, including: the old and young (5:1–2), widows (5:3–16), old people (5:17–25), and slaves (6:1–2a). Showing respect within the household goes beyond social boundaries.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-251Ti 5:1-25. General Directions as to How Timothy Should Deal with Different Classes in the Church. 1. an elder--in age; probably not an elder in the ministry; these latter are not mentioned till 1Ti 5:17, "the elders that rule." Compare Ac 2:17, "your old men," literally, "elders." Contrasted with "the younger men." As Timothy was admonished so to conduct himself as to give no man reason to despise his youth (1Ti 4:12); so here he is told to bear in mind…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Timothy 5:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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