Keraia
1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy 5:16

Honoring True Widows · 1 Timothy 5:3–16
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Translations

Modern
If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.
Traditional
If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
Literal
If any believing woman has widows, let her give relief to them, and let the church not be burdened, so that it may give relief to those truly widows.
Latin
Si quis fidelis habet viduas, subministret illis, et non gravetur ecclesia: ut iis quæ vere viduæ sunt, sufficiat.

Original

Greek
English
If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.

Notes

1 Timothy 5:16

Individual Christian households kept their roles and identities within the church (see 2:15; 3:15). The church did not control them. However, the household of God is central to the identity of the Christian community (see Mark 3:31–35).

1 Timothy 5:3–16

A widow without wealth or family was alone in a world that did not support her. The Christian community was expected to care for such widows among its members (see Deuteronomy 10:17–19; Isaiah 1:17; compare Acts 6:1–6; James 1:27). Some suggest this passage implies a religious order of widows in the first-century AD church at Ephesus. However, there is no obvious evidence of such an order, only of a ministry to help community members without financial means.

1 Timothy 5:1–6:2

Proper behavior in God's spiritual household involves everyone, including:

Showing respect within the household goes beyond social boundaries.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Concern for the Poor Social Justice

Parallels

Ruth 1:1–5

Glossary

Church Meetings Timothy, First Letter to Widow

Topics

Beneficence: General Scriptures Concerning Christian Minister: Charge Delivered To Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Helping Widows Liberality: General Scriptures Concerning Poor: Duty To Widow: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Widows: should be Relieved by Their Friends Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To