This paragraph serves as something of a transition in the argument. On the one hand, it flows naturally out of 4:11–16, with a set of two more imperatives to Timothy (in the second person singular), and the content continues to reflect concern over Timothy’s relationship to the church community, now in very specific ways related to his own youthfulness.

This content, on the other hand, also serves as a kind of introduction to what follows: a long section on widows, old and young (vv. 3–16), a section on elders (vv. 17–25), and a concluding brief word to believing slaves (6:1–2). Thus, in form and concern the paragraph belongs with 4:11–16; in content it anticipates, with some general guidelines, the specific instructions of 5:3–25.

5:1–2 In 4:12 Paul reminded Timothy, “Don’t let anyone l…