5. Care of Timothy (5:21-23)

Timothy is to show no partiality or favoritism (v.21) nor elevate people too quickly to positions of authority (v.22); moreover, he is to keep himself pure (v.22), and take care of himself physically (v.23). God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels is an unusual triad but one signifying the solemnity of the charge Paul is giving Timothy. A little wine indicates moderation and probably is a comment on the local water. Perhaps Timothy may be interpreting purity more physically/ascetically than Paul intended.