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1 Timothy 5:2

1 Timothy 5:2 in Multiple Translations

older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

To the older women as to mothers, to the younger as to sisters, with a clean heart.

older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with the highest standards of decency.

The elder women as mothers, the yonger as sisters, with all purenesse.

aged women as mothers, younger ones as sisters — in all purity;

the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Old women, as mothers: young women, as sisters, in all chastity.

Exhort/advise older women respectfully as you would exhort/advise your mother. Exhort/advise younger women gently as you would exhort/advise your sisters; but you must act in a completely proper way as you do that.

Or if it is an old woman, talk to her like she is your mother. Or if it is a young woman, respect her and talk to her like she is your sister.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Timothy 5:2

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1 Timothy 5:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK πρεσβυτερας ως μητερας νεωτερας ως αδελφας εν παση αγνεια
πρεσβυτερας presbuteros G4245 elder: Elder Adj-APF-C
ως hōs G5613 as/when Adv
μητερας mētēr G3384 mother Noun-APF
νεωτερας neos G3501 new Adj-APF-C
ως hōs G5613 as/when Adv
αδελφας adelphē G79 sister Noun-APF
εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep
παση pas G3956 all Adj-DSF
αγνεια hagneia G47 purity Noun-DSF
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Timothy 5:2

πρεσβυτερας presbuteros G4245 "elder: Elder" Adj-APF-C
An elder is an older person, often a respected leader in the community, like those mentioned in Matthew 15:2 and 1 Timothy 5:1-2.
Definition: πρέσβυς, -εως, ὁ poët. form of πρεσβύτης (which see), [in LXX (= πρεσβευτής, an ambassador): Num.21:20 (21), al. (מֲלְאָךְ), Isa.13:8 57:9 (צִיר), 1Ma.9:70, al. ;] an old man. Compar., πρεσβύτερος, -α, -ον, [in LXX chiefly for זָקֵן ;] __1. of age, elder: ὁ νἱὸς ὁ π., Luk.15:25; as subst., opposite to νεανίσκοι, Act.2:17; to νεώτερος, 1Ti.5:1-2; of the religious leaders of the past, Mat.15:2, Mrk.7:3, 5, Heb.11:2 (= οἱ πατέρες, Heb.1:1). __2. Of dignity, rank or office (as found in π. and Inscr. of civil and religious offices, including priesthood, in Asia Minor and in Egypt; see Deiss., BS, 154 ff., 233 If.; LAE, 373); __(a) among Jews: Mat.16:21 26:47, 57 27:3, 12 27:20, 41 28:12, Mrk.8:31 11:27 14:43, 53 15:1, Luk.7:3 9:22 20:1 22:52, Jhn.8:9, Act.4:5, 8 4:23 6:12 23:14 24:1; τ. Ἰουνδαίων, Act.25:15; τ. λαοῦ, Mat.21:23 26:3 27:1; __(b) among Christians: Act.11:30 14:23 15:2, 4 15:6, 22-23 16:4 21:18, 1Ti.5:17 5:19, Tit.1:5, II Jn 1, 3Jn.1, 1Pe.5:1 5:5; τ. ἐκκλησίας, Act.20:17, Jas.5:14; __(with) in the visions of the Apocalypse: Rev.4:4, 10 5:5-6, 8 5:11, 14 7:11, 13 11:16 14:3 19:4. (On the NT use of this word and its relation to ἐπίσκοπος (which see), cf. Lft., Phi., 93 ff., 189 ff.; CGT, Past. Epp., lvi ff.) † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 67 NT verses. KJV: elder(-est), old See also: 1 Peter 5:1; Luke 22:52; 1 Peter 5:5.
ως hōs G5613 "as/when" Adv
This word means as or when, showing a comparison or timing. It's used in many verses, like Mark 4:26 and 1 Corinthians 3:15, to show how things are done. It helps explain how or when something happens.
Definition: ὡς, adverbial form of the relative pron. ὅς, ἥ, ὅ. __I. As relat. adv. of manner, as, like as, just as, even as; __1. with a demonstrative, like οὕτως, expressed or understood: οὕτως . . . ὡς, Mrk.4:26, 1Co.3:15, Eph.5:28, Jas.2:12, al.; ὡς . . . οὕτως, Act.8:32, 1Co.7:17, al.; elliptically (sc. οὕτως, οὕτω), with nom., Mat.6:29, al.; with accusative, Mat.19:19, Mrk.12:31, al.; with prep., Mat.26:55, Mrk.14:48, Luk.22:52, Jhn.7:10, al.; with verb., Jhn.15:6, 2Co.3:1, Eph.2:3, 1Th.5:6, al.; with ptcp. (the ptcp. however not having the special force wh. it has in cl.; see Bl., §73, 5; 74, 6), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Heb.13:17, al.; freq implying opinion or belief, Rom.9:32; so esp, with genitive absol., 1Co.4:18, 2Co.5:20, 1Pe.4:12, 2Pe.1:3. __2. Before numerals, about, nearly: Mrk.5:13, Jhn.1:40, Act.5:7, al. __3. Before adjectives and adverbs, how: Rom.10:15 11:33, 1Th.2:10; with superl., ὡς τάχιστα, as quickly as possible, Act.17:15. __II. As conjunction; __1. temporal, __(a) as, when, since: Mrk.9:21 14:72, Luk.1:23, Jhn.2:9, al.; __(b) while, when, as long as: Luk.12:58, Jhn.12:36, Gal.6:10 (Field, Notes, 191); ὡς ἄν (M, Pr., 167, and see: ἄν), Rom.15:24, 1Co.11:34, Php.2:23. __2. Final, in order that; with inf., in order to (M, Pr., 204n), Luk.9:52, Act.20:24, Heb.7:9. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 436 NT verses. KJV: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed See also: 1 Corinthians 3:1; 2 Timothy 1:3; 1 Peter 1:14.
μητερας mētēr G3384 "mother" Noun-APF
A mother is described by this word, used literally or figuratively, as in Matthew 1:18 and Galatians 4:26.
Definition: μήτηρ genitive, μητρός, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for אֵם ;] mother: Mat.1:18 2:11, al.; figuratively, of one who takes the place of a mother, ἰδοὺ, ἡ μ. μου, Mat.12:49 (cf. Mat.12:50, Mrk.3:35, Jhn.19:27, Rom.16:13, 1Ti.5:2); of a city, ἥτις ἐσὶν μ. ἡμῶν, Gal.4:26; symbolically of Babylon, ἡ μ. τ. πορνῶν, Rev.17:5 (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 78 NT verses. KJV: mother See also: 1 Timothy 5:2; Mark 3:34; Revelation 17:5.
νεωτερας neos G3501 "new" Adj-APF-C
The Greek word for new or youthful, used to describe someone or something as fresh or recently created, like new wine in Matthew 9:17. It can also mean regenerate, or spiritually renewed. This word appears in the New Testament, including Titus 2:4.
Definition: νέος, -α, -ον [in LXX for נַעַר (Gen.37:2, Exo_33:11, al.), חָדָשׁ (Lev.23:16, Num.28:26, al.), etc.; compar. -ώτερος for קָטָן, צָעִיר, etc. ;] __1. young, youthful: Tit.2:4. __2. new (prop., in respect of time; see: καινός): οἶνος (cf. οἶ. καινός, Mat.26:20), Mat.9:17, Mrk.2:22, Luk.5:37-39; φύραμα (figuratively), 1Co.5:7; διαθήκη (cf. καινὴ δ., Heb.9:15), Heb.12:24; metaphorically, ἄνθρωπος (cf. καινὸς ἀ, Eph.2:15), Col.3:10. __3. Compar., -ώτερος, -α, -ον, younger: Luk.15:12-13 22:26, Jhn.21:18; pl., οἱ ν., Act.5:6 (Rackham, in l), 1Ti.5:11, Tit.2:6; opposite to πρεσβύτεροι, 1Ti.5:1, 1Pe.5:5; αἱ ν., 1Ti.5:2 5:14. __4. Νέα Πόλις, Neapolis: Act.16:11 (Rec., Νεάπολις, which see) νεώτερος, see: νέος SYN.: καινός, which see (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 20 NT verses. KJV: new, young See also: 1 Corinthians 5:7; Luke 5:37; 1 Peter 5:5.
ως hōs G5613 "as/when" Adv
This word means as or when, showing a comparison or timing. It's used in many verses, like Mark 4:26 and 1 Corinthians 3:15, to show how things are done. It helps explain how or when something happens.
Definition: ὡς, adverbial form of the relative pron. ὅς, ἥ, ὅ. __I. As relat. adv. of manner, as, like as, just as, even as; __1. with a demonstrative, like οὕτως, expressed or understood: οὕτως . . . ὡς, Mrk.4:26, 1Co.3:15, Eph.5:28, Jas.2:12, al.; ὡς . . . οὕτως, Act.8:32, 1Co.7:17, al.; elliptically (sc. οὕτως, οὕτω), with nom., Mat.6:29, al.; with accusative, Mat.19:19, Mrk.12:31, al.; with prep., Mat.26:55, Mrk.14:48, Luk.22:52, Jhn.7:10, al.; with verb., Jhn.15:6, 2Co.3:1, Eph.2:3, 1Th.5:6, al.; with ptcp. (the ptcp. however not having the special force wh. it has in cl.; see Bl., §73, 5; 74, 6), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Heb.13:17, al.; freq implying opinion or belief, Rom.9:32; so esp, with genitive absol., 1Co.4:18, 2Co.5:20, 1Pe.4:12, 2Pe.1:3. __2. Before numerals, about, nearly: Mrk.5:13, Jhn.1:40, Act.5:7, al. __3. Before adjectives and adverbs, how: Rom.10:15 11:33, 1Th.2:10; with superl., ὡς τάχιστα, as quickly as possible, Act.17:15. __II. As conjunction; __1. temporal, __(a) as, when, since: Mrk.9:21 14:72, Luk.1:23, Jhn.2:9, al.; __(b) while, when, as long as: Luk.12:58, Jhn.12:36, Gal.6:10 (Field, Notes, 191); ὡς ἄν (M, Pr., 167, and see: ἄν), Rom.15:24, 1Co.11:34, Php.2:23. __2. Final, in order that; with inf., in order to (M, Pr., 204n), Luk.9:52, Act.20:24, Heb.7:9. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 436 NT verses. KJV: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed See also: 1 Corinthians 3:1; 2 Timothy 1:3; 1 Peter 1:14.
αδελφας adelphē G79 "sister" Noun-APF
In the Bible, this word means a biological sister or a sister in the Christian faith community, as seen in Romans 16:1 and 1 Corinthians 7:15.
Definition: ἀδελφή, -ῆς, ἡ (ἀδελφός), [in LXX for אָהוֹת ;] a sister: Mat.19:29, al.; metaphorically (MM, VGT, see word), of a member of the Christian community: Rom.16:1, 1Co.7:15 Jas.21:15, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 25 NT verses. KJV: sister See also: 1 Corinthians 7:15; Luke 10:39; James 2:15.
εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep
This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.
Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.
παση pas G3956 "all" Adj-DSF
This word means all or every, as in Matthew 3:10 and Romans 7:8, where it refers to everything or all people, emphasizing the universal nature of God's message.
Definition: πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν, genitive, παντός, πάσης, παντός, [in LXX chiefly for כֹּל ;] all, every. __I. As adj., __1. with subst. anarth., all, every, of every kind: Mat.3:10 4:23, Mrk.9:49, Luk.4:37, Jhn.2:1o, Act.27:20, Rom.7:8, Rev.18:17, al. mult.; pl., all, Act.22:15, Rom.5:12, Heb.1:6, al.; of the highest degree, π. ἐξουσία (προθυμία, χαρά), Mat.28:18, Act.17:11, Phi 2:29, al.; also the whole (though in this sense more frequently with art.), Mat.2:3, Act.2:36, Rom.11:26. __2. C. art. (before the art., after the noun, or, denoting totality, between the art. and noun), all, whole: Mat.8:32 13:2, Mrk.5:33, Luk.1:10, Act.7:14, Rom.3:19, Gal.5:14, Eph.4:16, al.; pl., Mat.2:4, Mrk.4:13, Rom.1:5, al. __II. As pron., __1. masc. and fem., every one: Mrk.9:49, Luk.16:16, Heb.2:9; before rel. pron., Mat.7:24, Act.2:21, Gal.3:10, al.; with ptcp. (anarth.), Mat.13:19, Luk.11:4; with ptcp. (with art.), Mat.5:22, Mrk.7:8, Luk.6:47, Jhn.3:8, Rom.1:16, al.; pl., πάντες, absol., all, all men, Mat.10:22, Mrk.13:13, Luk.20:38, Jhn.1:7 3:26, 1Co.8:1, al.; οἱ π. (collectively, as a definite whole), Rom.11:32, 1Co.1:17, Eph.4:13, al.; π. οἱ (ὅσοι), Mat.4:24, Mrk.1:32, Luk.4:40, al. __2. Neut., __(a) sing., πᾶν, everything, all: πᾶν τό, with ptcp., 1Co.10:25, 27, Eph.5:13, 1Jn.2:16 5:4 (sc. ὄν); πᾶν ὅ, Jhn.17:2, Rom.14:23; collectively, of persons (Westc., in l.), Jhn.6:37, 39; with prep., in adverbial phrases, διὰ παντός, always, Mat.18:10, al.; ἐν παντί, in everything, in every way, 2Co.4:8, Phi 4:6, al.; __(b) pl., πάτνα, all things: absol., Jhn.1:3, 1Co.2:10, Heb.2:8, al.; of certain specified things, Mrk.4:34, Luk.1:3, Rom.8:28, 1Th.5:21, al.; accusative, πάντα, adverbially, wholly, in all things, in all respects, Act.20:35, 1Co.9:25, al.; with art., τὰ π., all things (a totality, as distinct from anarth. πάντα, all things severally; cf. Westc, Eph., 186f.), absol.: Rom.11:36, 1Co.8:6, Eph.3:9, Heb.1:3, al.; relatively, Mrk.4:11, Act.17:25, Rom.8:32, al.; πάντα, with ptcp., Mat.18:31, al.; πάντα ταῦτα (ταῦτα π.), Mat.6:32, 33, al.; πάντα, with prep, in adverbial phrases, πρὸ πάντων, above all things, Jas.5:12, 1Pe.4:8; ἐν π́, in all things, in all ways, 1Ti.3:11, 1Pe.4:11, al.; κατὰ πάντα, in all respects, Act.17:22, al. __3. C. neg., πᾶς οὐ (μή) = οὐδείς, see: οὐ and μή, and cf. M, Pr., 245f. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1080 NT verses. KJV: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Peter 1:15.
αγνεια hagneia G47 "purity" Noun-DSF
Purity means being clean and chaste, as seen in 1 Timothy 4:12 and 5:2, where it refers to moral cleanliness.
Definition: ἁγνεία (WH, ἁγνία), [in LXX for טָהֳרָה, נָזִיר, נֶזֶר, etc. ;] purity: 1Ti.4:12, 5:2 (Cremer, 58. For exx. of ceremonial use in π., see MM, Exp., iv).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: purity See also: 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 5:2.

Study Notes — 1 Timothy 5:2

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
2 Matthew 12:50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
3 Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
4 1 Timothy 5:3 Honor the widows who are truly widows.
5 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
6 John 19:26–27 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home.
7 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Timothy 5:2 Summary

This verse reminds us to treat older women with the same respect and care that we would show to our own mothers, and to treat younger women with the same kindness and purity that we would show to our own sisters. This means being mindful of our words and actions, and avoiding any behavior that could be hurtful or misleading. As we strive to live out this verse, we can look to examples in the Bible, such as the relationship between Paul and Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:2, or the instructions for relationships in Titus 2:1-6. By following these principles, we can build strong, respectful relationships with those around us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to treat older women as mothers?

This means showing respect, care, and kindness towards them, just as we would to our own mothers, as instructed in Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:2-3.

How can we show absolute purity in our interactions with younger women?

We can do this by being mindful of our words and actions, and avoiding any behavior that could be misinterpreted or cause harm, as warned in Matthew 5:28 and 1 Thessalonians 4:7.

Is this verse only applicable to men, or does it apply to women as well?

While the verse is addressed to Timothy, a male leader, the principle of treating others with respect and purity applies to all believers, as seen in Titus 2:3-5 and 1 Peter 3:1-6.

What is the significance of treating younger women as sisters?

This emphasizes the importance of a sibling-like relationship, characterized by mutual respect, trust, and care, as demonstrated in Romans 12:10 and Hebrews 13:1-3.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can I demonstrate respect and care towards the older women in my life, such as mothers, grandmothers, or mentors?
  2. What are some ways I can promote a culture of purity and respect in my interactions with others, especially those of the opposite sex?
  3. How can I balance the need for boundaries with the desire to show love and kindness to those around me, particularly in my relationships with younger women?
  4. What does it mean to me personally to treat others with 'absolute purity', and how can I apply this principle in my daily life?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Timothy 5:2

The elder women as mothers,.... When they offend in any point, they are to be reasoned, and argued, and pleaded with, as children should with their mothers; see Hosea 2:2 and are to be considered as

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 5:2

The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. With all purity. Respectful treatment of the other sex promotes "purity."

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:2

The elder women as mothers; the same prudence also is to be used to matrons and aged women. The younger as sisters; yea, and to younger women too, considering our relation and equality in Christ. With all purity; only as to them, (considering their sex), a further gravity and prudence is to be used, that we give no occasion to lust, or unclean motions.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:2

2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Ver. 2. With all purity] Not with some only, but "with all purity," for fear of the worst, ενπασηαγνεια: and lest any impure motion therewhile creep into the heart unawares. The souls of ministers should be purer than the sunbeams, saith Chrysostom. They are by their office the lights of the world: let no snuff abide in them, they are fullones animarum, fullers of men’ s souls, to make and keep them white; let them take heed of a smutch. Turpe est doctori, &c. Nihil turpius est Peripatetico claudo. It is a shame for a teacher to be found faulty.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:2

(2) The elder women as mothers.—The same watchful care against all assumption of superiority must also be exercised in his dealings with the Christian matrons of Ephesus. The younger as sisters, with all purity.—In the case of the younger women, St. Paul adds to his directions respecting brotherly and sisterly regard a grave word, urging upon Timothy, and all official teachers like Timothy, to add to this self-denying, loving friendship a ceaseless watchfulness in all their conversation, so as not to afford any ground for suspicion; for, above all things, the recognised teacher of Christianity must be pure. No one can read and forget the quaint words of advice of St. Jerome: “Omnes puellas et virgines Christi, aut æqualiter ignora aut ægualiter dilige.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:2

Verse 2. The elder women as mothers] Treating them with the respect due to their age. The younger as sisters] Feel for every member of the Church, old and young, male and female; consider them as fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters; treat them all with gentleness; and labour to keep them in, not to expel them from, the Church. With all purity.] ενπασηαγνεια. With all chastity. See note on 1 Timothy 4:12. There are some who seem to take a barbarous pleasure in expelling members from, the Church. They should be continued in as long as possible; while they are in the Church-under its ordinances and discipline, there is some hope that their errors may be corrected; but when once driven out again into the world, that hope must necessarily become extinct. As judgment is God's strange work, so excommunication should be the strange, the last, and the most reluctantly performed work of every Christian minister.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 5:2

2. with all purity] Accurately in; the R.V. shews the connexion of the phrase with ‘the younger’ by a colon instead of comma after ‘mothers.’ Jerome’s rule is well quoted here ‘omnes puellas et virgines Christi aut aequaliter ignora aut aequaliter dilige.’ There is no simpler safeguard against illnatured remark and gossip than to maintain an even level of careful courteous intercourse, and what old George Herbert calls ‘grave liveliness.’

Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 5:2

The elder women as mothers - Showing still the same respect for age, and for the proprieties of life. No son who had proper feelings would rebuke his own mother with severity.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:2

2. Mothers—So that all these successive terms of relation render the Church a holy family. All purity—A caution of momentous importance to all young ministers.

Sermons on 1 Timothy 5:2

SermonDescription
Jim Logan Spiritual Warfare - 2 "Resistance" by Jim Logan In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of resisting temptation and standing against the attacks of the enemy. He uses the analogy of two missionaries finding a wallet
Clement of Rome How Carefully Stumbling-Blocks Must Be Avoided by Clement of Rome Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of being cautious and avoiding situations that may lead to temptation or false accusations, even if it means refraining from good deeds li
Zac Poonen (Sex, Love & Marriage) 3. Opposite Poles Attract by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen discusses the natural attraction between the sexes, emphasizing that while it is normal to seek friendship and admiration from the opposite sex, it is crucial to maintai
Clement of Rome Joseph and Potiphar's Wife by Clement of Rome Clement of Rome preaches about the story of Joseph, highlighting his faithfulness, wisdom, and fear of God in the face of temptation from Potiphar's wife. Despite her persistent ad
A.W. Tozer (1 Peter - Part 22): Our Walk in the Presence of the Unsaved by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living an honest and upright life among non-believers. He highlights that God never gives us instructions to live without
David Wilkerson "Where Are the Praying People?" by David Wilkerson This sermon emphasizes the speaker's strong desire to remain separate from the sinful influences of the world, committing to prayer, Bible reading, and standing against immorality.
Jacob Prasch Holy Ghost Last Days by Jacob Prasch In this sermon, the speaker discusses the last days and the warnings given by Paul to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4. The speaker highlights the dangers of falling away from the faith and

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