1 Timothy 5:3

Translations

Modern

Honor the widows who are truly widows.

Traditional

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

Literal

Honor widows who are truly widows.

Latin

…viduas honora, quæ vere viduæ sunt.

Original

Greek

English

Honor the widows who are truly widows.

Notes

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:

the old and young (5:1–2),
widows (5:3–16),
old people (5:17–25), and
slaves (6:1–2a).

Showing respect within the household goes beyond social boundaries.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Concern for the Poor Social Justice

Related verses

Deuteronomy 27:19
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Deuteronomy 14:29
Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands.
Deuteronomy 10:18
He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.
Acts 6:1
In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
Deuteronomy 16:14
And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.
1 Timothy 5:16–17
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.
Psalm 146:9
The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.
Matthew 15:6
…he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
1 Peter 2:17
Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
1 Thessalonians 2:6
Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
Psalm 68:5
A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.

1 Timothy 5:3

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