Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
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 are directions, I. Concerning the supporting of ministers. Care must be taken that they be honourably maintained (Ti1 5:17): Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour (that is, of double maintenance, double to what they have had, or to what others have), especially those who labour in the word and doctrine, those who are more laborious than others.
Commenting on 1 Timothy 5:17-25
Drink no longer water,.... Though it was commendable in him to keep under his body, as the apostle did, by abstemious living, and not pamper the flesh and encourage the lusts of it, and so preserve purity and chastity; yet it was proper that he should take care of his health, that it was not impaired by too much severity, and so he be incapable...