Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

1 TIMOTHY 5:1KJV
Know the Bible

1 Timothy 5:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Timothy 5:1 mean?

1 Timothy 5:1 instructs Timothy not to harshly correct an older man in the church, but instead to treat him with the respect one would show a father, and to treat younger men as brothers. The verse sets a tone of gentleness and family-like respect in how church members should relate to each other, especially across generations.

Paul is writing to Timothy, a young church leader, giving him practical advice on how to handle relationships within the Christian community. The verse comes in a section where Paul is guiding Timothy on caring for different groups in the church, emphasizing that correction and guidance should always be done with kindness and honor, not with severity or disrespect.

The Greek behind 1 Timothy 5:1

  • "Rebuke" (ἐπιπλήξῃς, epiplēxēs): This Greek word often carries the sense of sharply or harshly scolding someone. Paul’s choice of this word highlights that Timothy should avoid a severe or disrespectful tone when addressing older men.
  • "Elder" (πρεσβύτερος, presbyteros): In this context, the word refers to an older man, not necessarily someone holding an official church office. This clarifies that Paul is talking about age-based respect, not just leadership roles.
  • "Intreat" (παρακάλεσον, parakaleson): This word means to encourage, appeal to, or urge gently. Paul is urging Timothy to approach older men with a spirit of encouragement and respect, rather than confrontation.

Why 1 Timothy 5:1 matters

  • This verse clears up that respect for age and gentle correction are important values in Christian relationships, not just formal church discipline.
  • The instruction connects to the wider passage, where Paul gives Timothy guidance on treating different groups in the church as family, showing that the church community should reflect the warmth and respect of a healthy family.
  • The verse helps prevent misunderstandings about authority and correction, reminding leaders not to use their position as an excuse for harshness, especially toward those who are older.

Where else these words appear

“men” Greek G3501 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
  • Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
  • 1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

“elder” Greek G4245 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
  • Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
  • 1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

“intreat” Greek G3870 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • Acts 16:39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.