1 Timothy 5:10 (KJV)
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
I was taught in Bible college that, in order for an event in church to be considered an ordinance, it must be:
- Instituted by the Lord in the Gospels
- Practiced in the book of Acts
- Instructed upon in the Epistles
It wasn’t until I began teaching in Bible college that I was challenged with a simple question—“Who set those criteria?” And the truth is, I don’t really know. But I can say this: all three are true of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and they are not true of foot washing.
I’ve recently been in conversation with a young Baptist man whose church does practice foot washing. From what he’s described, their practice doesn’t seem to match our text. In his case, men only wash men’s feet, women wash women’s, and it’s done before the Lord’s Supper—except occasionally, when they perform it in someone’s home as a “ministry” to them.
Foot washing in biblical times was practical—it had to do with dusty roads, their footwear, and the type of furniture they used. Barnes writes, “It is not certain whether this is to be understood literally, or whether it merely denotes that she had performed offices of a humble and self-denying kind—such as would be shown by washing the feet of others. It was one of the rites of hospitality in the East to wash the feet of the guest (Genesis 18:4), and Paul might have spoken of this as having been literally performed. There is not the slightest evidence that he refers to it as a religious rite, or ordinance…”
I am inclined to see it as a metaphor. She’s one who is a blessing, a help, a comfort to the saints.
And couldn’t we use more souls like that?
Whether man or woman, married or single, widowed or not—
Our churches, yea our world, could use a good dose of people who are known for being good to others!
#ServeTheSaints #BiblicalHospitality #NotAnOrdinance #GoodWorksMatter #BeABlessing
From Dusty Roads to Daily Kindness: A Call to Practical Christianity
🚿 Foot Washing: Ritual or Real Ministry?
1 Timothy 5:10 doesn’t call for a ceremony—it calls for a life of service. The Bible lifts up those who bless others, meet real needs, and follow every good work.
📜 What’s the difference between a symbol and a lifestyle?
💬 Do you think foot washing should be practiced today? Share your thoughts below!
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