FocusRespect and support for widows
Connection to the wholePaul distinguishes family responsibilities from the church's continuing support, placing provision for one's household within faithful conduct.
interpretation 1 Timothy 5:2
KJVThe elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
Read it in context
Care within the church
Start reading at 1 Timothy 5:1 (1 Timothy 5:1 to 1 Timothy 5:16).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Paul distinguishes family responsibilities from the church's continuing support, placing provision for one's household within faithful conduct.
- 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
- 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
- 5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
- 5:4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
- 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
- 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
- 5:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
- 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
- 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
- 5:10 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.
- 5:11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
- 5:12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
- 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
- 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
- 5:15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
- 5:16 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Paul is the named author, the traditional attribution of this pastoral letter; some historical scholars dispute the authorship of the Pastoral Epistles. Biblical references: 1 Timothy 1:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Timothy 4:1–6:21): Paul instructs Timothy in teaching and caring for the congregation, including its older and younger members, widows, elders, servants, and wealthy members. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Timothy, Paul's true son in the faith, charged with ministry at Ephesus. The instructions also govern how the church is to conduct itself. Biblical references: 1 Timothy 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:15. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Care within the church. Read 1 Timothy 5:1 through 1 Timothy 5:16 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Paul distinguishes family responsibilities from the church's continuing support, placing provision for one's household within faithful conduct. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The letter recalls Paul's departure into Macedonia and Timothy's charge at Ephesus. It does not give a calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Timothy's assignment is associated with Ephesus. Some instructions concern assemblies and households rather than a single scene. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Care within the church (1 Timothy 5:1 to 1 Timothy 5:16). Start reading at 1 Timothy 5:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The letter presents Christ's saving work and, in the KJV, confesses God manifested in the flesh. Read the household and ministry instructions in relation to the truth the church is charged to uphold. See 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 Timothy 3:15, 1 Timothy 3:16. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Guard sound teaching, practice godliness, and care responsibly for the congregation and vulnerable people. Keep the addressed situations visible when applying instructions about leaders and households. interpretation
Cited: 1 Timothy 5:1, 1 Timothy 5:16, 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 Timothy 3:15, 1 Timothy 3:16
Who wrote it, and how we know
Paul the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysPaul names himself in the opening verse.
1 Timothy 1:1
Early traditionUniform early tradition names Paul.
What is debatedMany critical scholars treat the three Pastoral Epistles as later, based on vocabulary and church structure.
Related passages
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 Timothy 5
Paul writes to Timothy, whom he left at Ephesus to address contrary teaching. Instructions concern doctrine, prayer, leadership, households, and conduct in the house of God.
1 Timothy 1:1 1 Timothy 1:2 1 Timothy 1:3 1 Timothy 3:15
Elders and Timothy's judgment
1 Timothy 5:17–25FocusHonour, evidence, and impartiality
Connection to the wholeDirections about support, accusations, correction, and laying on hands require careful judgment without prejudice or haste.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 Timothy
Paul writes to Timothy, whom he left at Ephesus to address contrary teaching. Instructions concern doctrine, prayer, leadership, households, and conduct in the house of God.
1 Timothy 1:1 1 Timothy 1:2 1 Timothy 1:3 1 Timothy 3:15
The charge and the gospel
1 Timothy 1:1–20FocusSound teaching and Paul's mercy
Connection to the wholePaul identifies the problem of contrary teaching and grounds Timothy's charge in the gospel and the mercy shown to Paul.
interpretation Prayer, conduct, and leadership
1 Timothy 2:1–3:16FocusOrder in God's house
Connection to the wholeDirections concerning worship and qualifications for overseers and deacons lead to the stated concern for behaviour in the church of the living God.
interpretation False teaching and faithful ministry
1 Timothy 4:1–16FocusDoctrine joined to example
Connection to the wholePaul warns of departure from the faith and instructs Timothy to nourish the church through sound teaching and visible faithfulness.
interpretation FocusAge groups, widows, elders, and servants
Connection to the wholePractical directions apply the church's calling to material support, honour, correction, and daily relationships.
interpretation The final charge
1 Timothy 6:3–21FocusGodliness, wealth, and keeping the trust
Connection to the wholePaul contrasts godliness with the love of money and closes by charging Timothy and the wealthy to live faithfully under God's sight.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.