”...in beautiful works being witnessed, if she raised children, if she welcomed strangers, if she washed feet of saints, if she helped the [ones] being afflicted, if she devoted to every good work.”
-Six more things which would have qualified an older, faithful widow to be added to the list of those receiving some form of assistance from the assembly. Suffice it to say, these are things to which younger women should aspire, life beacons, if you will, beckoning us on to a life which truly reflects the breathtaking goodness of God. Did they absolutely need to go six for six? I think we may be in a bit of a gray area there. My guess is that the heart of a woman who is truly devoted to following Jesus will naturally gravitate towards most if not all of these. They are like spiritual instincts - not so much an arduous wearying checklist of works, but rather, if you were to observe the life of any true Christ-follower, you would be able to glimpse most if not all of these, exuding naturally, not forced in the least. Nevertheless, such women do become godly examples, beacons of a sort, instructional signposts to help instruct younger women (and men as well) on how the life of Christ in a believer can and should manifest.
-One might ask (as we should) to what extent this list is influenced by the culture of the time and place in which Paul was writing. Excellent question. Like clearly, in a heavily patriarchal culture, women would be expected to raise children, and in fact, would have much of their perceived value placed on their ability simply to provide children (especially sons) for the would-be patriarch. Now, is this the perpetual purview of women, particularly in the family? Is that how God always and absolutely forever intends society to function? I do think that this is a both/and. Remember that both moms and dads are a part of this. In the beginning, God made them male AND female, and He blessed them, saying, be fruitful and multiply. In other words, have kids who have kids. Families. And it’s a team effort, both mom and dad. Even the men who would be elders (and deacons) must have a qualifying role in the family, remember? It looks different, of course - men and women are wired differently. The men are standing beautifully before the family, the household - there is this going before, protecting and providing, leading and guiding, buck-stopping and bullet-taking. There is authority and responsibility and a (different?) level of accountability. They are also helping the children to learn obedience - there is teaching and correction, no doubt. So do the moms do none of this? I do think the lines can blur from family to family, but theirs is a different role, a complementary one, a completely different word when it comes to family and kids. But before we get to kids, Paul first mentions...
-In beautiful works being witnessed... Beautiful works. These are on display for all to see. Would they see her in her prayer closet, or in her tithing? Things that are supposed to be hidden? Perhaps not. But people somehow see her in action. It is her faith in action, following her Savior, following in His footsteps, doing what HE would do if He were here (which He is, in fact - in her heart). Doing those things which beautify the name of Jesus. Doing them not to BE seen - the spotlight is on Jesus - but her works are clearly visible. Life beacons. You will know them by their fruit, Jesus said (Mt 7.20). And what beautiful works would Jesus do if He were here? Surely the list is long, but would no doubt include things like loving the least of these, compassion, helping people come to Jesus - including children...! (cf Luke 18.16)
-Raising children... So yes, this word is different than for the men, and it only appears here this one time in the entire New Testament. It literally means to feed, or nourish, children. The root verb is used in Matthew 6.26 and 25.37, as well as Luke 23.29. Nature, a case for argument by design, would certainly seem to indicate that feeding (not to mention birthing) kids is more the purview of the female. The word is broader than that, of course - it can refer to anything that goes into the raising of a child (cf Luke 4.16). And so one might ask, how much nature is it? Is it in the nature of the female to nurture? Are women more wired to nourish and bring up children? I think most would agree that most women are definitely better at this than most men. Does that mean that men shouldn’t ever have to feed or nurture their kids? I digress... The point Paul is making here does turn somewhat on whether or not you believe he is referring to an actual order of widows who were to be employed in the service of the church, caring for orphans and aliens and the poor, etc. Or were they just going to possibly receive some assistance? Either way, what we do see emerging, what Timothy should be looking for, is a heart of service, their beautiful works focused on serving the least of these, those who are more vulnerable or less fortunate. It’s is an others-centered task, this, the feeding and nurturing of children. And that’s precisely the point. This would certainly reflect the heart of our Savior Himself, He Who was gentle and humble and a servant in heart. Surely this heart serves as a beacon for us all, male AND female...
-Welcoming strangers... Not afraid of strangers - which is xenophobia - but welcoming strangers. This is the heart of God displayed throughout all of Scripture. Wealth in those days consisted primarily of land and flocks and herds, things which a foreigner would not have. They were generally classified among the most needy and vulnerable in society, and God repeatedly commands His people to help them (Exodus 23.9; Leviticus 19.10, 33-34, 25.47; Deuteronomy 10.18-19, 14.29, 24.17; Jeremiah 7.6, 22.3; Ezekiel 22.29; Zechariah 7.10; Malachi 3.5; cf Psalm 146.9). Welcoming strangers, taking them in, feeding them, caring for them, helping them on their way or land on their feet, would be another indicator of a widow’s heart which was truly after God’s own heart.
-Washing the feet of the saints... Surely our minds all gravitate here to the picture of Christ Himself, their leader, wrapping a towel around His waist and taking on the task of a slave, stooping to wash the disciples’ filthy smelly feet (John 13.3-5ff). An act of service, one of selfless kindness - others first, others better. Timothy should be looking for a heart that is ready to and regularly does serve the body of Christ, even and including doing those things which are menial and thankless. A humble readiness to lower myself. To do the dirty work. I am not too good for this...
-Helping those being afflicted... Those who are crushed, oppressed, in trouble. Perhaps they’ve fallen and they can’t get up. But more likely, life - or some ne’er-do-well with power - is dealing them a blow upside the head. Knocking them down. They need some assistance, someone to come to their aid. The verb means to suffice upon - whatever will suffice to meet the need of the hour, that’s where these widows - and God’s people - should be stepping up and stepping in...
-Devoted to every good work... The idea here is that of following upon something or someone. Following in the steps of Jesus, for example, Who left us an example to follow (1Peter 2.21). Here Paul talks about following after every good work. Eyes open and peeled, at the ready, taking advantage of any and every opportunity to do something good, to do what is right, to do what God wants and what blesses others. That’s the kind of heart that Paul says Timothy’s church should look for in the widows they would honor... If you belong to an assembly, you know just the people Paul is describing. She is a shining beacon of light and life, standing out not like a sore thumb but rather like a rose among thorns, a fragrant perfume, a sweet-smelling aroma of Christ which blesses all those who come in contact with her. You wish you had a dozen more like her. And may her tribe increase...!
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