(Vers. 15, 16.)
(Verse 15, 16.) Meditate on these things, be in them; so that your progress may be evident to everyone. Pay attention to yourself and to the teaching, persevere in them. For by doing this, you will save yourself and those who hear you. It reminds us to be a model to everyone not only in good works, but also in the exercise of teaching. For it should be evident that progress is made in exercise, not only in teaching, but also in actions; for a good tree produces good fruit (Matthew 12:17): similarly, good teaching cannot have bad works; so that when good works are seen, they may be understood as the fruit of divine teaching, and listeners may be able to progress. For then they understand that the things which are said are true and to be feared, when they seem to be observed with great veneration by the very person who is teaching. This benefits the leader of the people in two ways: both because of his own good works, and because he will receive the reward of those who listen; just as if he is negligent, he will be accountable not only for himself, but also for them.
Caput V.
(Vers. 1, 2.)
(Vers. 1, 2.) Do not rebuke an elder, but encourage him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, in all purity. Because of the honor and wisdom that comes with age, he should be taught gently and encouraged to do good works, so that he may be more willing to accept correction. For he may fear being rebuked later, which is shameful for an elder. Indeed, in all cultures, old age is esteemed and honorable. This is why both the Synagogue and later the Church had elders, without whom nothing was done in the Church without their counsel. I do not know by what negligence it became obsolete, unless perhaps through the laziness of learned men, or rather their pride, while they alone wish to be seen as something. He thinks that the younger ones should be admonished as if they were brothers, with affection for their love; so that, seeing that they are being advised out of love, they may correct themselves more easily, since they see that his actions do not differ from his preaching. But the elderly women as if they were mothers, so that while they see that they are being taught with gentle words, they do not receive it harshly, because they honorably progress; for it is harsh for the elderly when they are criticized by the younger ones. He wants to be calmed by a certain temperament, so as to make progress both in speaking and listening. He instructs young ladies as if they were sisters, to be taught so that they can readily acquire the discipline of good conversation. For when he sees that things necessary for a good life are not being insinuated to him with authority, he agrees, presenting himself as humble to the one admonishing him. For things that cannot be obtained by authority are usually obtained by flattery; for when animals guard their limbs, they still yield to flattery.
(Vers. 3.)
(Verse 3.) Honor widows who are truly widows. These widows should be considered honorable, who have been widows in fact: who, when they could have remarried in order to be better, and worthy of God, rejected second marriages. They knew that the marriage ceremony is blessed only once, imitating the most holy Anna, who served God with fasting and prayers night and day, having experienced the embrace of only one man (Luke 2:36).
(Vers. 4.)
(Verse 4) However, if a widow has children or grandchildren, she should first learn to show godliness at home and repay her parents with gratitude, for this is pleasing to God. The widow should be tested in her conduct and lifestyle, so that she may be deemed worthy of being called a widow of the church, who does not submit to the ecclesiastical discipline for the sake of gain, but for the sake of defense. Merit should precede, so that the appropriate honor may be bestowed upon her when she comes forward; for she who has shown godly affection towards her own, and has managed her household well, kept God's law, becomes worthy of recompense from the church.
(Vers. 5.)
(Verse 5.) For she who is truly widowed and desolate, hopes in God and devotes herself to prayers night and day. A widow who has children or grandchildren should not be easily admitted to the Church's support, because if she has managed her household piously and diligently, it is necessary for her to be repaid by her own, just as she has repaid her relatives. But if, as is often the case, impiety has caused her to be despised by her own, whom she has treated kindly, it is fitting for her to be received by the Church, because she has faithfully followed the law of the Lord. Therefore, the widowed and deserted woman, scorned by her own, puts her hope in God; for she sees that she has no support from any side, and with her whole heart she devotes herself to God, from whom alone she expects help for life and salvation.
(Vers. 6.)
(Verse 6.) For a widow who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. The phrase 'widow' signifies that she should devote herself to God, serving Him day and night in order to earn His favor through prayers; and to show that she has therefore despised second marriages, and that she is determined in following the discipline of the Lord. For if a widow indulges in pleasure or luxury, she is considered as living dead; because it is a kind of deceit, to do one thing and profess another: desiring not to serve and devote herself to God, but to seek the honor of being called a widow; whereas the very profession of the name indicates the choice of God, having rejected a husband, to whom she will serve with her whole mind for the sake of the promised life.
(Vers. 7.)
(Verse 7) And command these things, so that they may be blameless. It desires to have such great diligence of actions and character, that it cannot be reproached; for having been removed from the hope of worldly conversation and the duty of caring for the body, it has turned itself to God, in order to lead a commendable life. For by removing the occasions that usually open the door to sins, a good way of life can remain unharmed.
(Vers. 8.)
(Verse 8.) But if anyone does not take care of his own, especially of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. He says that this widow, who was negligent in her affections towards her own, to educate them in the discipline and correction of the Lord, should be disrespected; because just as the unfaithful one, she did not obey the law of the Lord, so that she may be considered worse. For it is necessary that he who acts under the law and fear of God, despising it, be worse than he who is not subject to the law; for the former does not know, but the latter, knowing, despises it.
(Vers. 9, 10.)
(Verse 9, 10) A widow should be chosen who is not less than sixty years old, who has been the wife of one man, having a good testimony in good works: if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. The widow is commended for her past deeds, and this is how she is instructed to be chosen; for her name is recorded in the church records by the judgment of the Lord, which her worthy old life declares. For by engaging in divine worship, and wearing oneself out in these things, one must be received in the bosom of the Church, to which one had once vowed oneself in lawful servitude.
(Vers. 11.)
(Verse 11) But refuse younger widows; for when they have lived in pleasure, they desire to marry in Christ. Thus, it is not fitting for younger widows to be taken into this profession, for faith should not easily be granted to the unstable age; especially since there are some examples of those who, after taking up the profession, do not have the name of widowhood in their deeds but are enticed by new marriages. For whoever thinks that they are living a life of pleasure in Christ does not continue to be innocent; for sensuality draws them towards its desires, so that they may be subject to sin; for pleasures are the gateway to sin. For it is not known where he aims, who loves a flowing life.
(Vers. 12.)
(Verse 12.) Having condemnation; because they made void the first faith. What remains for such, it shows; so that they may not easily dare what is difficult to accomplish: Or if the mind is devoted to this, let them hold it within themselves for now; because they have learned it is rash to profess what should not yet be believed by youth. For he becomes liable to condemnation, who turns away from what he had done rightly. For as praiseworthy as it is, if he accomplishes what is believed to be beyond his abilities; he will be all the more deserving of punishment if he dares to impose on himself by the presumption of rashness what he cannot bear: Nor should it pertain to forgiveness, for he who is found unfaithful from the beginning.
(Vers. 13.)
(Verse 13) But at the same time, even the idle learn to go around: not only the idle, but also the talkative and curious, saying things that should not be said. Some virgins or widows, with the approval of their profession (for the word for this is glorious), are welcomed into the homes of the wealthy, who engage in this activity; so that they may obey their wishes, walking and searching for what they can bring to them, to delight them, so that they may be rewarded with idle gifts: and according to a bad custom, they seek more in stories than in work with their hands; so that they may appear proud and put together, acting against their own profession. What tends to be contrary to them even in this life is revealed; for that which they always consider hidden is revealed. For what is it, that they speak those things which are not necessary? For they are close to marriage, participants in many secrets, flatterers, and complainers of servants.