Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
An elder - in age; probably not in the ministry; these latter are not mentioned until 1 Timothy 5:17. Compare Acts 2:17, "your old men:" contrasted with "the younger men." As Timothy was admonished to give no man reason to despise his youth (1 Timothy 4:12), so he is told to behave with the modesty which becomes a young man toward his elders. "Rebuke" х Epipleexees (G1969)] - 'Strike hard upon:' Rebuke not sharply; a different word х epitimeeson (G2008)] (2 Timothy 4:2).
Entreat, х parakalei (G3870)] - exhort.
As brethren - therefore equals: not lording it over them (1 Peter 5:1-3).