1 Timothy 5:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

If any {G1536} man {G4103} or {G2228} woman that believeth {G4103} have {G2192} widows {G5503}, let them relieve {G1884} them {G846}, and {G2532} let {G916} not {G3361} the church {G1577} be charged {G916}; that {G2443} it may relieve {G1884} them that are widows {G5503} indeed {G3689}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, she should provide relief for them — the congregation shouldn’t be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are really in need.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Timothy 5:16 provides crucial instructions regarding the care of widows within the early Christian community, emphasizing that believing family members bear the primary responsibility for supporting their widowed relatives. This directive aims to prevent the church from being unduly burdened, thereby enabling its resources to be reserved for those who are "widows indeed"—those truly destitute and without any other means of support. The verse underscores principles of family responsibility, wise stewardship of church resources, and discerning benevolence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's comprehensive pastoral instructions to Timothy concerning the proper ordering and conduct of the church in Ephesus. Chapter 5 specifically addresses how to treat different groups within the congregation, including elders, younger men and women, and particularly widows. Paul dedicates a significant portion of the chapter (verses 3-16) to the care of widows, outlining criteria for who should be officially supported by the church. Verse 16 serves as a culminating instruction, reinforcing the principle established in earlier verses (e.g., [1 Timothy 5:4](/1_timothy/5-4 "1 Timothy 5:4 - Children and Grandchildren Should Support Their Own")) that family members should first fulfill their obligations before the church assumes responsibility. It acts as a practical application of the preceding theological and ethical considerations regarding church benevolence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, and particularly within Jewish society, widows were among the most vulnerable members of society. Without a husband, they often lacked legal protection, economic means, and social standing. There were no state-sponsored social welfare programs, making family or community support essential for survival. The early church, following Jewish tradition (e.g., [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Care for the Vulnerable")), quickly established ministries of care for its needy members, especially widows, as evidenced in [Acts 6:1-6](/acts/6-1-6 "Acts 6:1-6 - The Appointment of the Seven"). However, this benevolent work also presented challenges, including potential abuse or unsustainable demands on church resources. Paul's instructions here reflect a pragmatic and ethical approach to managing these challenges, ensuring that genuine need was met while preventing exploitation or misallocation of limited funds.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in 1 Timothy and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Family Responsibility**, asserting that the care of one's own household, particularly vulnerable relatives, is a primary Christian duty. This echoes the broader biblical principle of honoring parents and caring for one's own, as seen in [Ephesians 6:2](/ephesians/6-2 "Ephesians 6:2 - Children, Obey Your Parents") and even Paul's earlier statement in [1 Timothy 5:8](/1_timothy/5-8 "1 Timothy 5:8 - Providing for One's Own Household"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Wise Stewardship of Church Resources**. By directing family members to provide support, Paul ensures that the church's treasury is not unnecessarily depleted, allowing it to focus its benevolence on those truly without any other recourse—the "widows indeed." This reflects a commitment to responsible financial management and discerning compassion, ensuring that the church's charitable efforts are both effective and sustainable, a principle also seen in the early church's organization of care in [Acts 6](/acts/6 "Acts 6 - The Appointment of the Seven").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **believeth (Greek, _pistós'_):** From G4103, meaning "trustworthy" or "trustful." In this context, it refers to a "believer" or "faithful one." The phrase "man or woman that believeth" specifies that the responsibility for care falls upon members of the Christian community who have widowed relatives. This highlights that Christian faith is not merely intellectual assent but includes practical outworkings of love and duty within the family unit.
* **relieve (Greek, _eparkéō'_):** From G1884, meaning "to avail for," "to help," or "to be sufficient for." This verb denotes providing practical, material assistance and support. When applied to family members, it means they are to provide adequately for their widowed relatives, ensuring their needs are met. When applied to the church, it signifies the church's role in providing for those truly in need. The repetition of this word emphasizes the act of provision as the core duty.
* **indeed (Greek, _óntōs'_):** From G3689, an adverb meaning "really," "certainly," or "of a truth." This crucial qualifier distinguishes between widows who merely fit the demographic description and those who are genuinely destitute and have no family support. Paul uses this term to emphasize the authenticity of the need, ensuring that church resources are directed to those who are truly without other means and are therefore legitimate recipients of corporate Christian benevolence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If any man or woman that believeth have widows":** This clause establishes the scope of the instruction. It refers to any Christian individual, male or female, who has widowed relatives (e.g., a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, or daughter-in-law) within their extended family. The emphasis is on the *believer's* household, implying that Christian faith should manifest in practical care for one's own kin.
* **"let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged":** This is the core command. The believing family members are explicitly instructed to "relieve them," meaning to provide for their material needs. The immediate consequence and purpose of this family provision are "that the church be not charged" or burdened. This highlights a principle of responsible stewardship, preventing the church's resources from being drained by needs that should rightfully be met by family.
* **"that it may relieve them that are widows indeed":** This final clause articulates the ultimate goal and the church's specific role. By ensuring that family members fulfill their responsibilities, the church's capacity to "relieve" (provide for) those who are "widows indeed" is preserved. This refers to widows who are genuinely without any family support, truly desolate, and meet the specific criteria for church enrollment and support outlined earlier in the chapter (e.g., being sixty years old, having a good reputation, devoted to good works, [1 Timothy 5:9-10](/1_timothy/5-9-10 "1 Timothy 5:9-10 - Qualifications for Enrollment of Widows")).

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey his instructions with clarity and force. There is a clear **Contrast** established between widows who have believing family members capable of support and "widows indeed" who are genuinely destitute. This distinction is crucial for understanding the nuanced application of benevolence. The repetition of the verb "relieve" (Greek: _eparkéō_) creates **Emphasis**, underscoring the central action of providing care, whether by family or by the church. The entire passage carries a strong **Didactic Tone**, characteristic of Paul's pastoral epistles, as he provides direct, practical instructions for the orderly and ethical functioning of the church. The use of the qualifying phrase "widows indeed" acts as a form of **Specification**, narrowing the scope of the church's primary financial responsibility to a truly vulnerable and deserving subset of widows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the biblical balance between individual and family responsibility and the corporate benevolence of the church. Theologically, it resonates with God's consistent concern for the vulnerable and marginalized throughout Scripture, particularly widows, orphans, and the poor. However, it also emphasizes that this divine compassion is to be channeled through ordered and responsible human structures, starting with the family. The principle of wise stewardship of resources is paramount, ensuring that the church's charitable efforts are not haphazard but strategic, maximizing their impact for those truly in desperate need. This reflects a mature understanding of Christian love, which is not merely sentimental but practical, discerning, and ordered, aiming to foster responsibility while genuinely alleviating suffering.

* [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "God's Care for the Vulnerable")
* [James 1:27](/james/1-27 "Pure and Undefiled Religion")
* [Romans 12:13](/romans/12-13 "Contributing to the Needs of the Saints")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Timothy 5:16 offers enduring wisdom for believers and churches today. In an era where social welfare systems often exist, the verse still challenges us to prioritize family responsibility. It reminds us that caring for our elderly and vulnerable relatives is not merely a social obligation but a spiritual one, a tangible expression of our faith. For churches, it serves as a vital guide for benevolence ministries, urging careful discernment in distributing aid. It encourages us to establish clear criteria, ensuring that resources are directed to those with genuine, pressing needs who lack other support, rather than becoming a substitute for family duty. This approach fosters both compassion and responsibility, preventing dependency and ensuring that the church's capacity to serve is preserved for its most critical functions. Ultimately, it calls us to embody a holistic love that is both generous and wise, reflecting God's own character in our care for others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my personal understanding and practice of family responsibility, especially concerning elderly or vulnerable relatives?**
* **In what ways can my local church better implement principles of wise stewardship and discernment in its benevolence and outreach ministries?**
* **Considering the emphasis on "widows indeed," how can I, as an individual or part of a community, more effectively identify and support those who are truly without other means of help?**

### FAQ
**What does "widows indeed" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "widows indeed" (Greek: _ontōs chērai_) refers to a specific category of widows who are truly desolate and have no family members capable or willing to support them. Paul outlines several criteria for these "widows indeed" in [1 Timothy 5:3-15](/1_timothy/5-3-15 "Instructions Concerning Widows"). They are typically older (at least sixty years old), have a proven record of godliness and good works, and are completely dependent on the church for their sustenance because they have no children or grandchildren to care for them. The distinction is crucial for the church's responsible stewardship of its limited resources, ensuring that aid goes to those with genuine and undeniable need.

**Does this verse imply that the church should not help all widows, only those without family?**

Answer: This verse does not suggest that the church should *never* help widows who have family. Instead, it establishes a clear priority: family members who are believers have the primary responsibility to care for their widowed relatives. The purpose of this directive is to prevent the church from being "charged" or unduly burdened by responsibilities that rightfully belong to the family. By ensuring family members fulfill their duties, the church's resources are preserved to "relieve them that are widows indeed"—those who are truly destitute and have no other means of support. It's a matter of wise stewardship and discerning compassion, ensuring that the most vulnerable who lack any other support system are adequately cared for by the community of faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Timothy 5:16 provides practical instructions for church administration, its underlying principles find their ultimate fulfillment and motivation in Christ. Jesus consistently demonstrated profound compassion for the vulnerable, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and identifying with the marginalized (e.g., [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")). His life was a testament to selfless service, culminating in His ultimate act of love on the cross. He became poor that we, through His poverty, might become rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")), providing for our greatest spiritual destitution. The church, as the body of Christ ([1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "You Are the Body of Christ")), is called to continue this ministry of compassion, reflecting His character and extending His care to a broken world. Our acts of charity, whether within our families or through the church's benevolence, are not merely social obligations but an overflow of the grace we have received from Christ, a tangible expression of His love working through us to provide for those in need, both physically and spiritually.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Timothy 5:3

¶ Honour widows that are widows indeed.

1 Timothy 5:5

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

1 Timothy 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.