Paul writes to Timothy, his spiritual son and a young overseer in Ephesus. In 1 Timothy 4:12, he exhorted Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers…”—meaning that though Timothy is young, he is still to lead with boldness. But in the very next chapter, Paul balances that command with a call for humility and honor in leadership.
1 Timothy 5:1–2 reads:
“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.”
This passage, though brief, outlines the spirit of Christian family that should characterize all interactions within the church.
“Do not rebuke an older man…”
The Greek word for “rebuke” here is ἐπιπλήξῃς (epiplēxēs), which conveys the idea of a harsh or forceful verbal attack. Paul is not saying that older men are above correction—he’s instructing Timothy to not do it disrespectfully.
Even when spiritual authority is necessary, it must be seasoned with gentleness, especially toward those who are older. A pastor or leader is not above the law of love and respect. In Leviticus 19:32, the law commanded,
“You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.”
Then we read:
“But exhort him as a father…”
Instead of harsh rebuke, Paul says to “exhort”—the Greek word here is παρακάλεσον (parakaleson), from parakaleō, meaning to encourage, to call alongside, to comfort. This is the same root word used for the Holy Spirit as our Comforter (John 14:26). This is not a soft avoidance of truth, but a respectful call to righteousness, treating an older man as you would a father—with honor, not condemnation.
“Younger men as brothers…”
Here the tone changes from honor to equality. Younger men are not to be looked down upon or lorded over. They are to be treated like brothers—equals in the household of faith. This aligns with Philippians 2:3, which says:
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
There is no room for spiritual pride in the way we treat younger believers. Titles do not make someone superior—Christ is the head, and we are all members of one body.
“Older women as mothers…”
Just as older men are to be treated with the respect due a father, so older women are to be honored as mothers. This echoes the fifth commandment:
“Honor your father and your mother…” (Exodus 20:12).
Paul is framing the church as a family—not a corporation or a class system. Older women are to be cherished, not dismissed. Their counsel should be honored, and their dignity preserved. Paul later exhorts them in Titus 2:3–5 to teach the younger women, showing how this mutual respect enables fruitful discipleship across generations.
“Younger women as sisters, with all purity.”
This final phrase adds a key qualifier: “with all purity.” The Greek word ἁγνείᾳ (hagneia) refers to moral and sexual purity. Paul knew the potential dangers of misused authority, especially between young men and young women. In an age where sin is so often covered with spiritual excuses, Paul calls Timothy—and by extension, every pastor—to treat younger women with the sacred respect due to a sister.
Purity here is not just the absence of sin, but the presence of clean motives, clean actions, and clean speech. It’s protecting others from sin, not using them to gratify flesh. A pure heart toward a sister in Christ guards her dignity, her calling, and her holiness.
Application Across the Church
Though this passage is written to a younger elder, the principle extends to all believers. The church is called a family for a reason. We are members of one another (Romans 12:5), and the way we treat each other must reflect the love, honor, and order of God’s household.
Ephesians 5:21 says, “submitting to one another in the fear of God.” That mutual submission does not erase roles; it exalts Christlike humility.
My Final Thoughts
The beauty of 1 Timothy 5:1–2 is that it sets the tone for every interaction in the church: with honor, purity, humility, and love. Older believers are not to look down on the younger, nor are the younger to despise the experience of the elders. We are to relate to one another as family—honoring the fathers and mothers, walking with our brothers and sisters, and doing it all in the fear of the Lord.
Church is not a hierarchy of worth, but a family of faith. And when we walk in that spirit, Christ is glorified, and the household of God becomes a place of safety, growth, and holiness.
