Without Reproach
WRITTEN BY DREW MATZ
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8
While it can be easy for conversations about the application of Biblical principles to wander aimlessly off the rails, in his letter to Timothy, Paul gives us an insight into how we should think of professing believers who do not act upon the faith to which they are called. It is here that Paul discusses the headship duty of a husband in light of his relationship with his family. The husband has a sacred calling to sacrificially love, but also to provide and care for his family. Paul has such a high view of this duty that to fail to do so would be tantamount to unbelief. Moreover, his Greek word for unbelief, apistos, is utilized numerous times to refer to the unbelieving world (1 Cor 10: 27, 2 Cor 2:4).
The Impact of Leading
The significance of Paul’s Christ-centered reasoning is wide ranging, and raises several questions to the extent of its application. What is clear, though, are general principles that Paul is trying to get across to Christian households. First, the husband is admonished to provide for his relatives and household. The immediate context is that of providing support to widows, presumably both financial and material. A man ought to be able to feed his family, and must work to do so. Furthermore, the support must reach beyond the material. The man must also lead his household spiritually. He must tend to the spiritual and emotional needs of his wife and children (1 Tim 3:5), and ensure that they are instructed in the things of God.
The Blessing of Godly Leadership
What the husband provides for his family is of great spiritual benefit. It fulfills the purpose of marriage being an icon of Christ’s relationship with his Church. Wholly dependent on Jesus, the Church receives all from him. He provides pastors to shepherd his people. By the word and sacraments, he nourishes the body, soul, and spirit. As the good shepherd, we could not fathom Christ not caring for even the least of these. Mirroring Jesus’ example, the husband must be willing to sacrifice what he wants – even to lay down his own life for his family. When a husband loves sacrificially, his family is blessed by his example.
Proper Nuance
“A loss of a job or a bout with depression leading to hardship should not be immediately viewed as legitimate neglect of one’s family and responsibility.”
Understanding the role of the husband in the household, we must be careful not to hastily apply the unbeliever label to men who are struggling with circumstances outside of their control. A loss of a job or a bout with depression leading to hardship should not be immediately viewed as legitimate neglect of one’s family and responsibility. Like most familial problems, the issue is best addressed when brought to the pastor who can assist with admonition or encouragement. However, as Paul’s warning notes, a husband should always be encouraged and supported to uphold his God-given roles and responsibilities to those entrusted to him.
