Paul begins by telling Timothy how to relate to people of every age. He writes: Don't rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father. Younger men are to be treated as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, in all purity. The church is to act like a family.
Paul then writes: Honor widows who are widows indeed. He means widows with no one else to care for them. If a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to show godliness toward their own family and repay their parents, because God is pleased by it. A widow who is truly alone has her hope set on God and continues in prayers night and day. Paul says that anyone who refuses to provide for his own family has denied the faith. Paul gives guidelines for which widows the church should support, describing those known for good works, kindness to strangers, and helping the afflicted.
Paul turns to elders. Elders who rule well, especially those who labor in the word and teaching, are worthy of double honor, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Accusations against elders need two or three witnesses, and those who keep sinning should be corrected publicly. Paul solemnly charges Timothy to do all this without partiality. He should not be hasty in appointing leaders. Keep yourself pure, he says. He also tells Timothy to use a little wine for his frequent illnesses. Finally, some sins and some good works are obvious, but even hidden ones will come to light.