The Pastoral Letters

Lesson Eighteen: Elder, Elder, Widow, Elder

• Verse one speaks of the elderly men in the church in relationship with the younger men.

• Verse two speaks of the elderly women in the church in regards to the younger women

• Verses three through sixteen speak of the widows in reference to their care and

• Verses seventeen through eighteen speak of the pastor concerning his office

I. RESPECT• It is in contrast with younger

men• It is in context with elder

women• It is later that the elder will be

in reference to the pastor

II. HONORA. The inherent challenges in caring for widows•First of all there is the trouble of establishing who is a widow indeed•Secondly there is the problem of someone abusing the church’s resources for personal gain.

II. HONORB. The history of the church in Jerusalem•The widows started feeling neglected. It just about split the church apart and it attempted to get the Apostles derailed from their purpose of prayer and the ministry of the Word.

III. ESTEEMA. The elders in this passage refer to pastors•They rule•They labor in word and doctrine

III. ESTEEMB. The New Testament refers to pastors as•EldersFor their role as leaders•BishopsFor their role as spiritual examples•ShepherdsFor their role as preachers of the Word

III. ESTEEMC. They are to be given “double honor”•Which means that they are not only provided for, but well provided for.