Notes on Former Queries: Vol. 2, 100

From: Bible Student: Volume 2, 1882

1 Timothy 5:9‑16 • 3 min. read • grade level: 7

Q. 100. 1 Timothy 5:9-16⁹Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. ¹¹But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; ¹²Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. ¹³And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. ¹⁴I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. ¹⁵For some are already turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. (1 Timothy 5:9‑16). The difficulty is, if widows over 60 only, should be taken into the number of those relieved by the assembly, and thus exclude all others under that age being relieved. Does not ver. 16 suppose relationship and means? J. H.

A. We think the whole passage is strictly literal. The widows who were under 60, were not to be kept by the church and natural relationships are meant in ver. 16.

With reference to Q. 121 a correspondent asks whether it is possible to distinguish between the blood, cross, and death of Christ, and we would say that while it is impossible to separate them, we think Scripture fully bears out the distinction drawn in the answer. With a view of showing this forcibly and distinctly, we add the principal passages in which the words respectively occur.

Blood.

Matthew 26:20²⁰Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. (Matthew 26:20). —This is my blood of the new testament. Mark 14:24²⁴And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. (Mark 14:24); Luke 22:20²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20); 1 Corinthians 11:25²⁵After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (1 Corinthians 11:25).

John 6:54⁵⁴Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:54). —Whoso...drinketh my blood hath eternal life.

John 19:34³⁴But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. (John 19:34). —Forthwith came there out blood and water.

Acts 20:28²⁸Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28). —The church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Romans 3:25²⁵Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25). —A propitiation through faith in his blood.

Romans 5:9⁹Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:9). —Being now justified by his blood.

1 Corinthians 10:16¹⁶The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16). —The cup... the communion of the blood of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:27²⁷Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 11:27). —Guilty of the body and flood of the Lord.

Ephesians 1:7⁷In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7). —Redemption through his blood. Colossians 1:14¹⁴In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14); 1 Peter 1:19¹⁹But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:19); Revelation 5:9⁹And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9).

Ephesians 2:13¹³But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13). —Are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Colossians 1:20²⁰And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20). —Having made peace through the blood of his cross.