1 Timothy 5:10 - Exposition

Hath for have , A.V. (five times); used hospitality to for lodged , A.V. Well reported of ( μαρτυρουμένη ; see 1 Timothy 3:7 and note). This use is frequent in the Epistle to the Hebrews ( Hebrews 7:8 ; Hebrews 11:2 , Hebrews 11:4 , Hebrews 11:5 , Hebrews 11:39 ), also in 3 John 1:6 , 3 John 1:12 . Good works ( ἔργοις καλοῖς ). The phrase occurs frequently in the pastoral Epistles, both in the singular and in the plural ( 1 Timothy 2:10 ; 1 Timothy 3:1 ; in this verse; verse 25; 1 Timothy 6:18 ; 2 Timothy 2:21 ; 2 Timothy 3:17 ; Titus 1:16 ; Titus 2:7 , Titus 2:14 ; Titus 3:1 , Titus 3:8 , Titus 3:14 ). Our Lord had first used the phrase, and taught how "good works" were to be the distinctive marks of his disciples ( Matthew 5:16 ), as they were evidences of his own mission ( John 10:32 , John 10:33 ). It denotes all kinds of good actions as distinguished from sentiments . Love, e.g. is not a good work . Feeding the hungry and clothing the naked and visiting the sick are good works (see Matthew 25:35 , etc.). Brought up children ( ἐτεκνοτρύφησεν ); only here in the New Testament or LXX ., but found, as well as τεκνοτροφία , in Aristotle. The word must mean "brought up children of her own," because τέκνον does not mean "a child" with reference to its age, but "a child" with reference to its parent who bare it. The only apparent exception in Holy Scripture is 1 Thessalonians 2:7 , where the nurse's alumni are called "her own children," but obviously this is no rent exception. The classical usage is the same. We must, therefore, understand the apostle here to mean "if she hath brought up her children well and carefully, and been a good mother to them." The precept corresponds to that laid down for an ἐπίσκοπος in 1 Timothy 3:4 . Possibly, as Grotius suggests, a contrast may be intended with the conduct of some heathen mothers, who, if they were very poor, exposed their children. Used hospitality to ( ἐξενοδόχησεν ); only here in the New Testament or LXX ., but, as well as ξενοδόκος and ξενοδοχία , not uncommon in classical Greek. The common form in the New Testament is ξενίζειν . (For the inculcation of hospitality, see 1 Timothy 3:2 , note, and 3 John 1:5 .) Washed the saints' feet (see John 13:5-8 ; anti comp. Luke 7:44 , where the omission to provide water to wash the feet of a guest is reprobated as inhospitable). The saints ( Romans 12:13 ). Hath relieved ( ἐπήρκεσεν ); only here and twice in 1 Timothy 3:16 in the New Testament, and. in 1Ma 8:26 and 11:35; but common in classical Greek. The afflicted ( τοῖς θλιβομενοις ); used of any kind of trouble or afflictions ( θλίψις ); compare, for the precept, Romans 13:1-14 :15. Diligently followed . The idea is somewhat similar to that of "pressing on toward the goal," in Philippians 3:14 (see also Philippians 3:12 , where διώκω is rendered in A.V., "I follow after"). Good work. Here ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ , as in Acts 9:36 ; Romans 2:7 , Romans 2:10 ; Romans 13:3 ; 2 Corinthians 9:8 ; Ephesians 2:10 ; and frequently in the pastoral Epistles ( 1 Timothy 2:10 ).