1 Timothy 5:3

KJV

¶ Honour widows that are widows indeed.

KJV (with Strong's)

Honour {G5091} widows {G5503} that are widows {G5503} indeed {G3689}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Show respect to widows who are really in need.

Berean Standard Bible

Honor the widows who are truly widows.

American Standard Version

Honor widows that are widows indeed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Timothy 5:3, "Honour widows that are widows indeed," serves as a foundational directive from the Apostle Paul to Timothy, outlining a crucial aspect of the early church's compassionate care and responsible stewardship. This verse introduces a section dedicated to the church's obligation to support its most vulnerable members, particularly those women who are genuinely destitute and without familial support, emphasizing that such "honour" involves tangible provision and discerning aid.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates a significant section within [1 Timothy 5](/1_timothy/5 "1 Timothy 5 - Pastoral Instructions") where Paul provides specific guidelines for church leadership and community care. Having addressed general pastoral duties and the qualifications for overseers and deacons in previous chapters, Paul now turns his attention to the practical administration of the church's resources and responsibilities toward various groups. Specifically, [1 Timothy 5:3-16](/1_timothy/5-3-16 "1 Timothy 5:3-16 - Instructions Regarding Widows") offers detailed instructions concerning widows, distinguishing between those who qualify for church support ("widows indeed") and those who should be cared for by their families or are able to remarry. This careful delineation underscores the importance of both compassion and wise stewardship within the burgeoning Christian community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Greco-Roman world, and particularly within Jewish society, widows were often among the most vulnerable and marginalized members. Without a husband, who typically served as the primary provider and protector, a widow could face severe economic hardship, social ostracism, and a lack of legal standing. There were no state-sponsored social safety nets, making familial support or community charity essential for survival. The early Christian church, following the example of the Old Testament's emphasis on caring for the fatherless and the widow (e.g., [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Care for the Vulnerable")), quickly became a vital source of support for these vulnerable individuals. The historical precedent of caring for widows is evident from the earliest days of the church, as seen in [Acts 6:1-6](/acts/6-1-6 "Acts 6:1-6 - The Appointment of Deacons to Serve Widows").
* **Key Themes:** The instruction in [1 Timothy 5:3](/1_timothy/5-3 "1 Timothy 5:3 - Honouring Widows Indeed") contributes to several overarching themes in Paul's pastoral epistles. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **compassionate care** for the vulnerable, a hallmark of genuine Christian faith and practice, echoing the call in [James 1:27](/james/1-27 "James 1:27 - Pure Religion") to care for orphans and widows. Secondly, it emphasizes **discernment and wise stewardship** of church resources. The qualification "widows indeed" is crucial, indicating that not all widows were to receive ongoing financial support from the church, but only those who were truly destitute, without family, and living a life of godly devotion. This theme is further developed in subsequent verses of [1 Timothy 5](/1_timothy/5 "1 Timothy 5 - Pastoral Instructions"). Finally, the concept of **"honour" as provision** is central. The Greek word implies more than mere respect; it denotes active material support, aligning with other biblical injunctions to honor parents or elders through tangible provision (e.g., [Matthew 15:6](/matthew/15-6 "Matthew 15:6 - Honouring Parents")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Honour (Greek, _timáō'_):** From G5091, this verb means "to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere." In this context, "honour" extends beyond mere respect or reverence to encompass active, tangible provision and material support. It signifies valuing someone highly enough to meet their essential needs, often financially or through practical care.
* **Widows (Greek, _chḗra'_):** From G5503, this feminine noun refers to "a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively." It denotes a woman who has lost her husband and is therefore often in a vulnerable social and economic position. The repetition of this term in the verse, coupled with the qualifier, underscores the specific group being addressed.
* **Indeed (Greek, _óntōs'_):** From G3689, this adverb means "really:--certainly, clean, indeed, of a truth, verily." When paired with "widows," it serves as a critical qualifier, distinguishing those who are truly desolate and dependent from those who might have other means of support or family to care for them. It signifies a genuine, verifiable state of need.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Honour widows":** This is an imperative command, instructing the church (through Timothy) to actively provide for and value women who have lost their husbands. The "honour" here is not merely a sentiment but a practical demonstration of care, involving material provision such as food, shelter, and financial assistance. It reflects the community's responsibility to uphold the dignity and well-being of its most vulnerable members.
* **"that are widows indeed":** This crucial qualifying phrase specifies *which* widows are to receive this particular form of church support. It refers to those who are genuinely desolate, without any family (children or grandchildren) to care for them, and who are truly dependent on the church for their sustenance. This distinction emphasizes the need for discernment in the distribution of church resources, ensuring that aid is directed to those in verifiable, profound need, and that family responsibilities are upheld first.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Repetition** ("widows that are widows indeed") to emphasize the specific category of individuals Paul is addressing, highlighting the importance of discernment. This repetition serves as a **Qualifier**, narrowing the focus from all widows to a select group meeting specific criteria for church support. The use of the **Imperative Mood** ("Honour") underscores the command's authoritative and obligatory nature, presenting the care for these widows not as an option but as a divine mandate for the Christian community. Furthermore, the word "honour" functions as a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the concept of respect and high regard stands for the tangible actions of material provision and support that flow from such esteem.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This directive in [1 Timothy 5:3](/1_timothy/5-3 "1 Timothy 5:3 - Honouring Widows Indeed") deeply reflects God's character and the nature of His covenant people. Throughout Scripture, God consistently identifies Himself as the defender and provider for the vulnerable, especially the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner. This divine concern is mirrored in the church's mandate to care for those who are marginalized and without recourse, demonstrating that true faith is active and compassionate. The church, as God's household, is called to embody His justice and mercy, ensuring that no member of the community is left in destitution. This instruction also highlights the principle of wise stewardship, balancing boundless compassion with responsible management of communal resources, ensuring that generosity is both heartfelt and strategic.

* [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Love for the Vulnerable")
* [James 1:27](/james/1-27 "James 1:27 - Pure and Undefiled Religion")
* [Acts 6:1-6](/acts/6-1-6 "Acts 6:1-6 - The Apostles Address the Needs of Widows")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The timeless instruction to "honour widows that are widows indeed" calls the contemporary church to a profound reflection on its commitment to compassionate care and responsible stewardship. It challenges believers to actively identify and support the truly vulnerable within their communities, extending beyond just widows to include any who are genuinely destitute, marginalized, and without a safety net. This requires not only a heart of compassion but also a spirit of discernment, ensuring that resources are directed to those in authentic need while upholding the biblical principle of familial responsibility. For individuals, it prompts us to consider how we can personally contribute to the welfare of the needy, whether through direct financial support, practical assistance, or advocating for the vulnerable. For churches, it serves as a reminder to establish clear, compassionate, and wise policies for benevolence, balancing the call to radical generosity with the imperative to be good stewards of God's provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my church currently identify and support the truly vulnerable in our community?**
* **In what ways can I personally "honour" those in genuine need, beyond just financial contributions?**
* **How can we balance compassionate giving with wise stewardship, ensuring resources are used effectively for those "indeed" in need?**
* **What role does family responsibility play in caring for the elderly and vulnerable, and how can the church encourage this?**

### FAQ
**What does "honour" mean in the context of 1 Timothy 5:3?**

Answer: In [1 Timothy 5:3](/1_timothy/5-3 "1 Timothy 5:3 - Honouring Widows Indeed"), the word "honour" (Greek: _timáō_) means much more than just showing respect or reverence. While respect is certainly implied, the primary sense here is that of providing tangible, material support. It signifies valuing someone highly enough to meet their essential needs, such as food, shelter, and financial assistance. This understanding aligns with other biblical uses of "honour," such as [Matthew 15:6](/matthew/15-6 "Matthew 15:6 - Honouring Parents"), where "honouring" parents involves providing for them, especially in their old age. For widows, this meant ensuring their basic survival and dignity in a society where they often lacked support.

**Who are the "widows indeed" that Paul refers to?**

Answer: The phrase "widows indeed" (Greek: _óntōs chḗra_) refers to a specific category of widows who were truly desolate, without any family members (children or grandchildren) able or willing to support them, and who were entirely dependent on the church for their sustenance. Paul elaborates on this in the subsequent verses of [1 Timothy 5](/1_timothy/5 "1 Timothy 5 - Pastoral Instructions"), describing them as older women (at least sixty years old, [1 Timothy 5:9](/1_timothy/5-9 "1 Timothy 5:9 - Age Requirement for Widows")), who had lived a life of godly devotion, prayer, and good works ([1 Timothy 5:5](/1_timothy/5-5 "1 Timothy 5:5 - Godly Widows")). This distinction was crucial for the early church to wisely steward its resources and ensure that aid was directed to those in genuine, verifiable need, rather than those who had other means of support or who could remarry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The instruction to "honour widows that are widows indeed" finds its ultimate fulfillment and motivation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our Lord consistently demonstrated profound compassion for the marginalized and vulnerable, embodying the very heart of God who is a "father to the fatherless and protector of widows" ([Psalm 68:5](/psalm/68-5 "Psalm 68:5 - God, Defender of the Vulnerable")). Jesus' ministry was marked by His active care for the poor, the sick, and those on the fringes of society, as seen in His healing of countless individuals and His teaching on radical generosity (e.g., [Matthew 25:34-40](/matthew/25-34-40 "Matthew 25:34-40 - The Judgment of the Nations")). The church, as the body of Christ, is called to continue this ministry, becoming His hands and feet in the world. By honoring and providing for "widows indeed," believers participate in Christ's ongoing work of compassion, reflecting His sacrificial love and demonstrating the tangible reality of the Kingdom of God. This act of care is not merely social work but a spiritual act of worship, an extension of the very character of Christ who gave Himself for the needy, ultimately fulfilling the law's demands for justice and mercy through grace.

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

Deuteronomy 27:19

Cursed [be] he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Acts 6:1

¶ And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Deuteronomy 14:29

And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

Deuteronomy 10:18

He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

1 Peter 2:17

Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Exodus 20:12

¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

1 Timothy 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.