What are his commandments?

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294» 1Tim 5:1b . .Speak to the younger men as you would to your own kin.

In this case, the "kin" would be sort of like a man's younger siblings; viz: his
kid brothers. Young boys look up to their big brothers; who by all rights
should be setting the example as role models that a growing boy can be
proud of. Big brothers ought to be available too, and not treat their younger
siblings as excess baggage and/or uncool nerds and morons beneath their
dignity to be seen with.

* Church officers who grew up in dysfunctional homes, where human
relationships were an ongoing cold war, are going to find that 1Tim 5:1b is
very difficult to obey in a manner that exemplifies peace, love, and
understanding. But were they to speak to the younger men in church the
very same way that they're accustomed to speaking to their families growing
up; it would produce disastrous results.
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295» 1Tim 5:2a . . Speak to the older women as mothers,

Honoring one's mother means giving her the respect that her age and her
maternal position deserve. It means watching your language, and it means
keeping a civil tongue in your head. It means speaking to her as a grown-up
instead of a child. It means treating her as one's betters and you as the
lesser. It means deferring to her wishes instead of demanding your own.

NOTE: In some cultures, elders have to earn respect, i.e. they have to
deserve it; whereas in Christianity their respect is taken for granted; they
don't have to earn it. For example: according to Lev 19:32 the younger
generation is expected to honor the older; not because they deserve it, but
because God requires it. Why? Because He too is an elder. The Bible places
quite a bit of importance upon things like seniority, age, parenting, and
primogeniture.
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296» 1Tim 5:2b . . Speak the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Officers should especially avoid speaking to the young women in church as if
they've met in a beer joint or a bowling alley.
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297» 1Tim 5:3-4 . . Give proper recognition to those widows who are really
in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, her kin 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.

A widow in real need would be one who is unable to work and has no one of
her own to look out after her. Here in modern America that situation isn't
nearly as serious as it is in third world countries where there are no
government assistance programs for senior citizens. So you can see that in
those circumstances a widow's church may be the only thing between her
and grinding poverty and/or a homeless life on the streets.

A widow's Christian progeny have a sacred obligation to provide for their
aging ancestor.

● 1Tim 5:8 . .Those who won't care for their own kin, especially those living
in the same household, have disregarded what we believe. Such people are
worse than infidels.
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297» 1Tim 5:5-7 . .The widow who is really in need, and left all alone, puts
her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for
help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give
the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame.

The New Testament Greek word for "pleasure" means voluptuous; which
Webster's defines as luxury and/or sensual gratification.

People who live only for the best that life has to offer generally regard
religion as a ball and chain holding them back from living their lives to the
fullest. Well; not everyone has access to either the means or the
wherewithal to live life to the fullest. For some, life offers no options other
than a tin shack, a dirt floor, and a bowl of white rice; if that.

Basic necessities aren't the issue here, rather, the goal to satisfy one's
appetite for the best that life has to offer. It's said that one cannot serve
God and money, well neither can one serve God and one's inherent cravings.
True, it's difficult to stop one's self from craving the best that life has to
offer; but one can choose whether to let the satisfaction of those cravings be
the dominant force in their life.

● Mark 4:18-19 . . Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;
but the concerns of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for
other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
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298» 1Tim 5:9-10 . . No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she
is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her
good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the
feet of the saints, helping those in trouble, and devoting herself to all kinds
of good deeds.

There are unprincipled individuals out there who love nothing better than
taking advantage of a church's good nature, and its desire to be helpful.
Following Paul's directive is a good way to avoid being victimized by one of
them. (cf. Ruth 2:11)
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299» 1Tim 5:11 . . Refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun
to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation
because they have cast off their first faith.

The Greek words for "first faith" don't necessarily have to do with
chronology. They also can refer to priority, i.e. order of importance.

The passage seems to me a caution that there's always the possibility that
young widows will want to get married bad enough to do so contrary to
Christ's wishes (2Cor 6:14, 1Cor 7:39) thus failing to maintain their
submission to a higher power. (cf. Luke 14:26-27)
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