1Timothy 5:7 - Not just for elders...

”And these be constantly commanding, in order that above reproach they may be.” 

-Repetition.  We just talked about this (see what’s happening here...?).  Repetition is the mother of all learning.  Aristotle said, “frequent repetition produces a natural tendency.”  It helps a skill move from conscious to subconscious.  In other words, you don’t even have to think about it any more.  It becomes natural.  Now Paul repeats the command for Timothy to be commanding this flock, the one he just gave 12 verses ago (1Timothy 4.11).  Same command.  So Paul says, be constantly commanding and repeating yourself, Timothy - and be commanding these things too.  And why is this?  Why all this repetition?  There is certainly an end game for Timothy - confidence as he shepherds this flock.  But for the flock?  What does Paul want to become natural for the flock?  Why does Pete need to fall out of the boat so that Repeat can do his thing?  What needs to be repeatedly repetitious?  Paul wants the whole flock to be naturally and thoroughly above reproach.

-That’s right, above reproach is not just for elders...!  The entire flock needs to be above reproach.  Widows need to be above reproach.  The least of these need to be above reproach.  Which means every last one of us, Christ-followers, from the greatest to the least, we all need to strive with all our stength - according to the power of His mighty Spirit Who is at work in us - to live up to this same standard.  Above reproach.  Untouchable, right?  Can’t lay even the smallest finger of accusation on me.  But based on the context, above reproach then includes NOT living this life of careless ease and of living for me first.  Not widows, but not me and you either.  All of us, free from the love of money and self and of careless ease.  The world instinctively knows this.  Do they not turn up their nose at all the religious posturing, the charlatans, at all the worldly excess and selfishness they observe coming not only from those so-called televangelists but from your average ordinary professing Christians?  The church is full of hypocrites, that’s what they say.  Is it not a stench in their nostrils (and those of our Lord), the holier-than-thou hypocrisy which strains out gnats and neglects the weightier things of God, things like love?  And caring for (widowed) parents (cf Matthew 15.4-7)?  Lukewarm devotion which is not all in and 100% sold out for the King and His kingdom?  Sell all you have - isn’t that what Jesus said (Matthew 19.21, Luke 18.22, cf Acts 2.45, 4.34)?  Shouldn’t we His people be erring somewhere on that side of things?  It doesn’t mean that there is no enjoyment of some of the all good things which God supplies (1Timothy 4.3-4, 6.17), by no means, but surely there ought to be a rising tide of pervasive others-centeredness at the heart of who I am (becoming).  Gratitude and openhanded generosity.  And it certainly starts in the family... Next verse!