A note from our Pastor:

”But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

1 Timothy 5:8

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

At this point in the 5th chapter of 1st Timothy, the Apostle Paul is still teaching on the treatment of widows in the church. However, in our study verse, he has taken a slight detour to teach a larger concept. In this verse, he addresses not just the care for widows but the care for all as we exercise compassion and love for others.

Before exploring the meaning of this verse further, it is necessary to address the false teachings that have been tied to this verse in American culture. American culture has a long, and disturbing, history of associating industriousness (hard work) with morality. This verse is often used to advance that narrative. The teaching is that if a person, a man in particular, does not work a job and earn an income to support his family then he is an immoral person. That simply is not what this verse is teaching and this faulty view needs to be removed from our minds.

This verse is about compassion. As the circle of believers widened in the Apostle’s day, the number of people who believed they could live the life of a disciple by simply having a profession of faith and acknowledging the doctrine of Jesus Christ without any self-denial or compassion for others was growing. Among the congregation at Ephesus and elsewhere, more and more believers who had some level of wealth were professing to be disciples while doing nothing for family and friends who were suffering through immense poverty.

This verse was an instruction to Timothy and to all believers that discipleship still required following to great commandment to love God with all your might and to love your neighbors as yourselves. The point the Apostle is making here is — at a minimum, you should take care of your own household and your extended family. Even among the Pagan beliefs of the day, there was an instruction to care for your own family, especially parents as they aged. Thus, the Apostle says if a disciple is not willing to take care of their own family they are worse than the Pagans who did not believe in Jesus Christ.

Let us be reminded that the teachings of Christ prize compassion and empathy far above industriousness and wealth.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah