20160915 Thursday, September 15 2016
1 Timothy 05: Where Did Respect First Happen?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect ... And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?"

The English-language word "respect" originated from a Latin word, respecio, that meant to look back - with the applied meaning to consider. The words "species" and "specify" originated from the same word - again, with the applied meaning of to look and consider i.e. species are specified by looking at them and considering how they are unique. As such, all forms of the word meant to place a value.

Imagine if someone demanded that others love them. Whatever the response, would it be true love? Not hardly.

So too with respect. It cannot be demanded or forced. It isn't negotiable either. It's something that someone is judged, by observation, to be worthy of - or not. Otherwise, it's fear, not respect, or love.

The first respect in recorded history was that of the LORD (see The Identity Of The LORD God and The LORD God Our Saviour) for Abel - because of what Abel did. But notice carefully, that there was no favoritism or unfairness. The LORD told Cain that he could be respected too, if he did what was worthy of respect.

"4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.

And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." (Genesis 4:3-7 KJV)

Notice how the apostle Paul (see Paul, The Apostle To The World) taught respect - for those who were worthy of it. It was a principle that applied to young or old, male or female, rich or poor, weak or powerful. But by the grace of God, anyone could have been someone else.

"5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 5:4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 5:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

5:11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 5:12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 5:15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

5:24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 5:25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid." (1 Timothy 5:1-25 KJV)

Fact Finder: What does "countenance" mean i.e. "And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell"?
See What Is Your Countenance Saying?