[1 Timothy 5:1-3 KJV] “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed.”
Offenses are a normal part of all relationships and networks, but how we react when they come is very important. In your works as a minister or an overseer; it’s important to remember that, no matter what you think the problem is, you are out of order when you rebuke an elder.
An elder must be entreated as a father; older women as mothers; and younger women as sisters with all purity. This is what the Bible says. God will never call a man to speak disrespectfully and rebuke older men as if he is speaking to children or his equals. We must get this straight.
Although the older man may be wrong, you are also wrong if you rebuke him. You can only entreat him as a father. The word of God is so clear on this issue; even younger men must be entreated as brothers.
Let us be careful as we stand in God’s pulpit. We shall give account of every word we speak. I pray that we will learn to use polite and humane language in the pulpit and as bishops, we must not strive.
Be blessed
