July 19
Elderly in the Church
1 Timothy 5:1-2

  1. Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
  2. The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

In some places this word ‘elder’ refers to a specific Office in the church.  In this case here it seems to be referring to the ‘older’ people within the church because it also mentions how to treat ‘younger’ people.

Verse 1 in the Amplified Bible says, "Do not sharply censure or rebuke an older man, but entreat and plead with him as [you would with] a father; treat younger men like brothers."

If an older person has done something that would require correction according to the Word he is still to be treated with respect.  Treat him as you would a father (or mother).  The younger people treat as brothers or sisters.

Rebuke means to chastise or upbraid.  It means to bring punishment or severe criticism to someone.  Rather than treating an elder that way he says to entreat him (or invite, call upon), him as you would a father.

 

Confession:

I will treat elders in the church as I would a father or mother.  I will not criticize or rebuke them but rather call upon them in a way that would draw them to the truth.

 

 

Obedience is a tree of life!