1Timothy 5:1-2 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
‘Elder’ [Greek: presbuteros] Here it means an elderly person – one advanced in years. If an elderly person makes a mistake he should be entreated as a father with great respect. The Greek for rebuke is epiplesso, to strike at; rebuke or reprove sharply; to reproach harshly. Do not do this to an elderly person.
Commands for twelve classes: Elderly men (5:1). Young men. Elderly women (5:2). Young women. Elderly widows (5:3-10, 16). Young widows (5:11-15). Officers or elders (5:17-19). Anyone who sins (5:20). Servants (6:1). Masters (6:2). Teachers (6:3-5). Rich men (6:9-10, 17-19).
‘All purity’ – the condition or quality of being pure; freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, pollutes, etc. White garments in the Word of God, are a figurative exhortation to perpetual purity of character and conduct (Rev. 7:13; 19:14). The whiteness of snow is used for purity in Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18; Lamentation 4:7; Daniel 7:9; Matthew 28:3 and Revelation 1:14.
Living the Word 