1 Timothy 5:9

Translations

Modern

A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, faithful to her husband,

Traditional

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

Literal

Let a widow be enrolled, being not less than sixty years old, the wife of one man,

Latin

Vidua eligatur non minus sexaginta annorum, quæ fuerit unius viri uxor,

Original

Greek

English

A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, faithful to her husband,

Notes

1 Timothy 5:9

at least sixty: Young widows needed a different approach (5:11–15). People were usually divided between young and old at around forty. Elderly people were probably those over fifty (see Titus 2:2).
the wife of one man: The grammar is the same in 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6.

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

1 Timothy 3:2
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
1 Timothy 5:11
But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,
Luke 2:36–37
There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years,
1 Corinthians 7:10–11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
1 Timothy 3:12
A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
1 Timothy 5:3–4
Honor the widows who are truly widows.
1 Corinthians 7:39–40
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.
1 Timothy 5:14
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

1 Timothy 5:9

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