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The New Testament › 1 Timothy

1 Timothy 5

1Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as a father; treat younger men as brothers, 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3Honor widows who are truly widows. 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to practice devotion to God toward their own household and to repay their parents and grandparents, for this is acceptable before God. 5The woman who is truly a widow and has been left alone has set her hope on God and persists in requests and prayers night and day. 6But the woman who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7Command these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8If someone does not provide for his own, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9Let a widow be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, 10and has a reputation for good deeds: if she has raised children, welcomed strangers, washed the feet of the holy ones, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good deed. 11But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their sensual desires turn them against Christ, they want to marry, 12incurring judgment because they have set aside their first pledge. 13At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going around from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they should not. 14So I want younger widows to marry, bear children, manage a household, and give the opponent no opportunity for slander. 15For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16If a believing woman has widows in her care, let her help them, and let the assembly not be burdened, so that it may help those who are truly widows.

17Let the elders who lead well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in speaking and teaching. 18For the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it threshes,” and, “The worker deserves his wages.” 19Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 20Rebuke those who sin before everyone, so that the rest may also be afraid. 21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels to keep these instructions without prejudgment, doing nothing out of favoritism. 22Do not be hasty in laying hands on anyone, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24Some people's sins are evident, going ahead of them to judgment, while others' sins follow behind. 25Likewise, good deeds are evident, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Translation notes 7

3:2, 12; 5:9 — “Husband of one wife”; “wife of one husband.” The reciprocal expressions are preserved. Whether they require marital fidelity, forbid concurrent spouses, or exclude remarriage is debated.

5:3–5 — “Truly widows.” In this discussion the phrase identifies widows left without family support, whose conduct is also described. “Honor” includes practical provision.

5:9–12 — Enrollment and “first pledge.” A recognized list of widows is in view. Its precise duties are not given. “First pledge” probably refers to a prior commitment associated with their devotion to Christ; “first faith” is also possible. A formal vow of lifelong celibacy is not explicitly described.

5:10 — “Holy ones.” The people usually called “saints”: members of the believing community, not a specially canonized group.

5:16 — “A believing woman.” The Greek base specifies a woman. A variant expands this to a believing man or woman.

5:17–18 — “Double honor.” Respect and material support belong together here, as the following quotations about food and wages show. The text does not specify a salary calculation.

5:19–22 — Elders, rebuke, and laying on hands. The setting concerns leadership and accountability. The laying on of hands probably concerns appointing leaders, though restoration after discipline has also been proposed. “Those who sin” in verse 20 most naturally continues the discussion of elders.