1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. (1 Timothy 5:1-2 KJV)
Treatment of Church Members
Here the apostle gives rules to Timothy, and through him to other ministers, about reproving. Ministers are reprovers by office; it is an essential, though not always pleasant, part of their duty. They are to preach the word, to reprove, and rebuke (2 Timothy 4:2). A great difference must be made in our reproofs according to the age, position, and other circumstances of those being corrected. An elder in age or office must be entreated as a father; on some have compassion, making a difference (Jude 1:22).
The rule is this:
- Be very gentle in reproving elders—whether elders by age or by office. Their years and position deserve respect; therefore, they must not be rebuked sharply or harshly. Even Timothy, though an evangelist, was to entreat them as fathers, for this was the most effective and respectful way to win them.
- The younger men must be reproved as brothers, with love and humility—not as if seeking to expose their faults, but as one desiring to help and restore them. Great meekness is needed when reproving those who deserve correction (Galatians 6:1).
- Older women must also be reproved when necessary, but as mothers, with the same tenderness and respect due to them (Hosea 2:2).
- The younger women must be reproved as sisters, with all purity. If Timothy, a man so devoted to holiness and mortified to worldly and fleshly desires, needed this warning, much more do we.