Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
Do not harshly rebuke an elder man, but exhort him as you would your father. Correction is medicine and always bitter; respect for age makes him more willing to bear reproof. Yet this does not mean sparing old men to sin without correction, only that you moderate your tone so they may hear you.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Timothy 5:1-25
Here the apostle gives rules to Timothy, and in him to other ministers, in reproving. Ministers are reprovers by office; it is a part, though the least pleasing part, of their office; they are to preach the word, to reprove and rebuke, Ti2 4:2.
Commenting on 1 Timothy 5:1-2
Rebuke not an elder,.... By whom is meant, not an elder in office, but in age; for elders by office are afterwards spoken of, and particular rules concerning them are given, Ti1 5:17. Besides, an elder is here opposed, not to a private member of a church, but to young men in age; and the apostle is here giving rules to be observed in rebuking...