Post by Cindy on Jan 23, 2016 13:29:25 GMT -5
I noticed another scripture that I've often just skimmed instead of looking at carefully, and it too is about family: “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8) I thought it might be a good idea to check and see just what the word "family" or "members of his household" means in the original language, as I'm aware that "family" doesn't mean the same thing today as it did then. I guess I was thinking along the same lines as the young man who asked Jesus who his neighbor was, hoping to minimize who he'd have to love. My reason for doing so however, was different. I wanted to be sure I included everyone the Lord intends for us to include.
In the original language, the word is oikeios and means, "belonging to a house or family, domestic, intimate. 1A belonging to one’s household, related by blood, kindred. 1B belonging to the household of God." Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. This was linked to another reference that said: one who belongs to a particular household or extended family—‘member of a family, relative.’ οἰκεῖος: εἰ δέ τις τῶν ἰδίων καὶ μάλιστα οἰκείων οὐ προνοεῖ ‘but if someone does not take care of his own relatives, especially members of his own family’ 1 Tm 5:8. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: Based on semantic domains. Next I wanted to check other verses with this word to see if I could learn more about it that way. It didn't take long to find one as the next one was just a few verses before the one we started with: “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.” (1 Timothy 5:4) and again a few verses after it in 1 Timothy 5:14.
I discovered that I wasn't alone in wanting to know what was included in the word family or household. Here's what a commentary and a history book had to say about it:
the conduct of household members in relation to each other was a major concern of Christian teaching and of its witness in society, especially in the light of their society’s expectations in this area. What constituted a “household” and what was its importance? The natural “household” extended to cover not only the blood relatives living together (parents and children, grandparents, other needy relatives) but also other dependents, especially the household slaves; at times the boundaries expanded yet further. This was regarded as the basic unit of Greco-Roman society, and on its stability rested the stability of the state. Roles and responsibilities were well-defined and deeply ingrained. A number of philosophers (e.g., Aristotle, Philo) therefore devoted a good deal of attention to proper conduct within this sphere. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary
Normally the family included everyone who shared a common dwelling place under the protection of the head of the family. They might be grandparents, servants, and visitors, as well as widowed daughters and their children. The extended family commonly included sons and their wives and children (Lev. 18:6–18). God counted Abraham’s slaves as part of the family group, for He required Abraham to circumcise them (Gen. 17:12–14, 23–27). In Israel’s early history, as many as four generations lived together. This was a normal part of the semi-nomadic lifestyle and the later agricultural one. Nelson's illustrated manners and customs of the Bible
We can see by this, that when the Bible talks about "family", it's basically talking about parents, their children, their children's spouses, and the grandchildren. We know that too because the NT often talks about children supporting their parents and helping them when they get older or to sick to help themselves. In looking through the Bible, while it does speak of helping family members financially, it also speaks of giving of our time and love to them as well. Let's look and see what some of the commentaries say about our verse: “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)
Any believer who fails to obey this command is guilty of: 1) denying the principle of compassionate Christian love (cf. John 13:35; Rom 5:5; 1 Thess 4:9); and 2) being “worse than an unbeliever.” Most pagans naturally fulfill this duty, so believers who have God’s command and power to carry it out and do not, behave worse than pagans. Cf. 1 Cor 5:1-2. The MacArthur study Bible
Failure to provide (pronoei means “to think ahead, to provide by seeing needs in advance”) for these family members gives the lie to any claim to know God (cf. Titus 1:16) and becomes de facto a denial of the faith. Indeed, such a failure renders the defaulting family member worse than an unbeliever, since even many non-Christians understand and fulfill their familial responsibilities. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
These also refer back to 1 Tim 5:4, so let's look at that again too:
“But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.” (1 Timothy 5:4)
Children and grandchildren are indebted to those who brought them into the world, reared them, and loved them. Fulfilling this responsibility is a mark of godly obedience (cf. Ex 20:12). The MacArthur study Bible
Believers show their love and respect for YHWH by honoring His word and will for maintaining strong family ties and responsibilities. Paul's Fourth Missionary Journey
Children and grandchildren are to repay (requite) their parents and grandparents, and not expect the church to put them on charity. Any Christian who does not take care of his own is worse than an unbeliever (v. 8). This is why the pastor and deacons must investigate every case of charity, and why individual church members or church groups ought not to do charitable work without first consulting with the spiritual leaders. Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament
Paul is concerned that they learn that they have a religious duty to their own family. This is actually “their own household.” This broadens the venue. Households could include children, parents, grandparents, and elderly relatives. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary
This gives us quite a lot to reflect on today, so I think I'll just leave it as it is and perhaps we can speak some more about it tomorrow.
In the original language, the word is oikeios and means, "belonging to a house or family, domestic, intimate. 1A belonging to one’s household, related by blood, kindred. 1B belonging to the household of God." Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. This was linked to another reference that said: one who belongs to a particular household or extended family—‘member of a family, relative.’ οἰκεῖος: εἰ δέ τις τῶν ἰδίων καὶ μάλιστα οἰκείων οὐ προνοεῖ ‘but if someone does not take care of his own relatives, especially members of his own family’ 1 Tm 5:8. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: Based on semantic domains. Next I wanted to check other verses with this word to see if I could learn more about it that way. It didn't take long to find one as the next one was just a few verses before the one we started with: “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.” (1 Timothy 5:4) and again a few verses after it in 1 Timothy 5:14.
I discovered that I wasn't alone in wanting to know what was included in the word family or household. Here's what a commentary and a history book had to say about it:
the conduct of household members in relation to each other was a major concern of Christian teaching and of its witness in society, especially in the light of their society’s expectations in this area. What constituted a “household” and what was its importance? The natural “household” extended to cover not only the blood relatives living together (parents and children, grandparents, other needy relatives) but also other dependents, especially the household slaves; at times the boundaries expanded yet further. This was regarded as the basic unit of Greco-Roman society, and on its stability rested the stability of the state. Roles and responsibilities were well-defined and deeply ingrained. A number of philosophers (e.g., Aristotle, Philo) therefore devoted a good deal of attention to proper conduct within this sphere. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary
Normally the family included everyone who shared a common dwelling place under the protection of the head of the family. They might be grandparents, servants, and visitors, as well as widowed daughters and their children. The extended family commonly included sons and their wives and children (Lev. 18:6–18). God counted Abraham’s slaves as part of the family group, for He required Abraham to circumcise them (Gen. 17:12–14, 23–27). In Israel’s early history, as many as four generations lived together. This was a normal part of the semi-nomadic lifestyle and the later agricultural one. Nelson's illustrated manners and customs of the Bible
We can see by this, that when the Bible talks about "family", it's basically talking about parents, their children, their children's spouses, and the grandchildren. We know that too because the NT often talks about children supporting their parents and helping them when they get older or to sick to help themselves. In looking through the Bible, while it does speak of helping family members financially, it also speaks of giving of our time and love to them as well. Let's look and see what some of the commentaries say about our verse: “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)
Any believer who fails to obey this command is guilty of: 1) denying the principle of compassionate Christian love (cf. John 13:35; Rom 5:5; 1 Thess 4:9); and 2) being “worse than an unbeliever.” Most pagans naturally fulfill this duty, so believers who have God’s command and power to carry it out and do not, behave worse than pagans. Cf. 1 Cor 5:1-2. The MacArthur study Bible
Failure to provide (pronoei means “to think ahead, to provide by seeing needs in advance”) for these family members gives the lie to any claim to know God (cf. Titus 1:16) and becomes de facto a denial of the faith. Indeed, such a failure renders the defaulting family member worse than an unbeliever, since even many non-Christians understand and fulfill their familial responsibilities. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
These also refer back to 1 Tim 5:4, so let's look at that again too:
“But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.” (1 Timothy 5:4)
Children and grandchildren are indebted to those who brought them into the world, reared them, and loved them. Fulfilling this responsibility is a mark of godly obedience (cf. Ex 20:12). The MacArthur study Bible
Believers show their love and respect for YHWH by honoring His word and will for maintaining strong family ties and responsibilities. Paul's Fourth Missionary Journey
Children and grandchildren are to repay (requite) their parents and grandparents, and not expect the church to put them on charity. Any Christian who does not take care of his own is worse than an unbeliever (v. 8). This is why the pastor and deacons must investigate every case of charity, and why individual church members or church groups ought not to do charitable work without first consulting with the spiritual leaders. Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament
Paul is concerned that they learn that they have a religious duty to their own family. This is actually “their own household.” This broadens the venue. Households could include children, parents, grandparents, and elderly relatives. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary
This gives us quite a lot to reflect on today, so I think I'll just leave it as it is and perhaps we can speak some more about it tomorrow.
!!
