1 Timothy 5:1
in 1 Timothy 5Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren:
KJV
Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
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This verse in 1 Timothy 5
Commentary
10 notes on this verseThe preacher of Almighty God, Paul the apostle, says, "Rebuke not an elder" (1 Tim. v. 1). But this rule of his is to be observed in cases where the fault of an elder does not draw through his example the hearts of the younger into ruin. But, when an elder sets an example to the young for their ruin, he is to be smitten with severe rebuke. For it is written, "Ye are all a snare to the young" (Isai. xlii. 22). And again the prophet says, "The sinner being an hundred years old is accursed" (Isai. lxv. 20).
This site's exposition
Do not rebuke an older man
on 1 Timothy 5:1-2
Timothy is to appeal to an older man as to a father, and the verb behind rebuke, epiplesso, names a blow with words. Every relation in the church follows the household pattern, with absolute purity toward younger women as sisters.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
Because, although as a rule there exist among careless or slothful brethren things which demand a strong hand in rectifying them; yet the correction ought to be so applied as ever to keep love inviolate. Wherefore also it is that the blessed Apostle Paul, in instructing Timothy upon the ruling of the Church, says: "An elder rebuke not, but intreat him as a father: the young men as brethren: old women as mothers: young women as sisters in all purity." And if this moderation is due by the Apostle's precept to all and any of the lower members, how much more is it to be paid without offence to our brethren and fellow-bishops? in order that although things sometimes happen which have to be reprimanded in the persons of priests, yet kindness may have more effect on those who are to be corrected than severity: exhortation than perturbation: love than power.
"Rebuke not an elder." Is he now speaking of the order? I think not, but of any elderly man. What then if he should need correction? Do not rebuke him, but address him as you would a father offending.
Do not rebuke an elder man, but encourage him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. Paul does not teach any new doctrine, but all things are old. What then does he say? If …
The Medieval Church2 voices
Then when he says, do not rebuke an ancient man, he shows how his teaching must be adapted to various hearers; and he mentions two varieties: first, according to age; second, according to sex. In regard to the second, they are divided: first, into men; …
The apostle is not speaking about one who holds the rank of presbyter in the Church, but about every aged person. But what if he needs correction? In that case, he says, treat him as a father.
3 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Rebuke not an elder,.... By whom is meant, not an elder in office, but in age; for elders by office are afterwards spoken of, and particular rules concerning them are given, 1Ti 5:17. Besides, an elder is here opposed, not to a private member of a church, but to young men in age; and the apostle is here giving rules to be observed in rebuking members of churches, according to their different age and sex, and not according to their office and station; and this sense is confirmed by a parallel text in Tit 2:
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Rebuke 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.
Rebuke not an elder - That is, an elderly person; for the word πρεσβυτερος is here taken in its natural sense, and signifies one advanced in years. At 1Ti 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 father in the Church. If such a one does wrong, or gets out of the way, he should be entreated as a father, with great caution and respect. To this at least his age entitles him. The word επιπληξῃς signifies, do not smite; i.e. do not treat them harshly, nor with magisterial austerity. The younger men as brethren - Showing humility, and arrogating nothing to thyself on account of thy office. Feel for them as thou oughtest to feel for thy own brethren.
The words behind it
10 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Πρεσβυτέρῳ | presbutero | An elder | G4245 → | 65 times |
| μὴ | me | not | G3361 → | 1066 times |
| ἐπιπλήξῃς | epiplexes | you may rebuke | G1969 → | |
| ἀλλὰ | alla | but | G235 → | 635 times |
| παρακάλει | parakalei | do exhort [him] | G3870 → | 108 times |
| ὡς | hos | as | G5613 → | 500 times |
| πατέρα, | patera | a father, | G3962 → | |
| νεωτέρους | neoterous | younger [men] | G3501 → | 24 times |
| ὡς | hos | as | G5613 → | 500 times |
| ἀδελφούς, | adelphous | brothers, | G80 → | 343 times |
ΠρεσβυτέρῳAn elder
presbuteroG4245 →65 times
μὴnot
meG3361 →1066 times
ἐπιπλήξῃςyou may rebuke
epiplexesG1969 →
ἀλλὰbut
allaG235 →635 times
παρακάλειdo exhort [him]
parakaleiG3870 →108 times
ὡςas
hosG5613 →500 times
πατέρα,a father,
pateraG3962 →
νεωτέρουςyounger [men]
neoterousG3501 →24 times
ὡςas
hosG5613 →500 times
ἀδελφούς,brothers,
adelphousG80 →343 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Galatians 6:1Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
it leads to
- Romans 15:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
- 2 Timothy 2:25
He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:15
Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
- James 5:19–20
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
- 1 John 5:16
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads…
- Romans 15:1
Through
Titus 2:2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance.
it leads to
- Galatians 5:23
gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- 1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.
- Galatians 5:23
Through
Leviticus 19:32You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD.
it leads to
- Proverbs 16:31
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
- Proverbs 16:31
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About 1 Timothy
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Gregory the Dialogist, Register of Epistles, Book 9, Epistle 1; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Timothy 13; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Leo the Great, LETTERS 14.1; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Timothy and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Timothy.