Chapters 5 and 6 pretty much go together, but Paul lays out some pretty interesting guidance in chapter 5 for Timothy concerning widows, elders, and dealing with sin in the church amongst elders, and finally being cautious about laying on of hands too soon for a leader that is new to the faith.
AMEN to the opening two verses of 1 Timothy 5!
Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers.2Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.
Is this a lost art today? If you asked me last October when I was on vacation in the southern part of the country (not SoCal), I would say not at all. Young’ns were replying “Yes Sir” or “No Ma’am” to those in authority, it was refreshing to see and hear that level of respect again. So is this a lost art in our church? I think that it could be better, our kids may not give an elder a "Yes Sir" or "No Ma'am" response, but I do believe that it is getting better especially with the integration of young and older folk into our life groups.
There really is a lot of great wisdom in this chapter, but what stood out to me the most were the final two verses:
24Remember, the sins of some people are obvious (Ezekiel 21:24), leading them to certain judgment (Rev 20:12-13). But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later (2 Corinthians 5:10). 25In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).
Be blessed!