On Widows, Elders, and Slavery

In this section of Paul’s Letter to Timothy, he addresses some social constructs that created some issues within the Ephesian Church.  Quite understandably, this early movement broke all sorts of cultural norms by having young and old, Jew and Gentile, slave and free, and male and female worshippers together as one body.  The love they shared for one another had great impact not only within the church but also with those on the outside.  Paul reminds them and us that people will know we are Christians by the way we love one another.