TRV
Translation
King James Version
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
Complete Jewish Bible
Now the widow who is really in need, the one who has been left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
Berean Standard Bible
The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.
American Standard Version
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
World English Bible Messianic
Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And shee that is a widowe in deede and left alone, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and praiers night and day.
Young's Literal Translation
And she who is really a widow and desolate, hath hoped upon God, and doth remain in the supplications and in the prayers night and day,
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Commentary on 1 Timothy 5 verses 3–16
3 ¶ Honour widows that are widows indeed.
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 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
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.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
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.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
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.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
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.
Directions are here given concerning the taking of widows into the number of those who were employed by the church and had maintenance from the church: Honour widows that are widows indeed. Honour them, that is, maintain them, admit them into office. There was in those times an office in the church in which widows were employed, and that was to tend the sick and the aged, to look to them by the direction of the deacons. We read of the care taken of widows immediately upon the first forming of the Christian church (Act 6:1), where the Grecians thought their widows were neglected in the daily ministration and provision made for poor widows. The general rule is to honour widows that are widows indeed, to maintain them, to relieve them with respect and tenderness.
I. It is appointed that those widows only should be relieved by the charity of the church who were pious and devout, and not wanton widows that lived in pleasure, Ti1 5:5, Ti1 5:6. She is to be reckoned a widow indeed, and it to be maintained at the church's charge, who, being desolate, trusteth in God. Observe, It is the duty and comfort of those who are desolate to trust in God. Therefore God sometimes brings his people into such straits that they have nothing else to trust to, that they may with more confidence trust in him. Widowhood is a desolate estate; but let the widows trust in me (Jer 49:11), and rejoice that they have a God to trust to. Again, Those who trust in God must continue in prayer. If by faith we confide in God, by prayer we must give glory to God and commit ourselves to his guidance. Anna was a widow indeed, who departed not from the temple (Luk 2:37), but served God with fasting and prayer night and day. But she is not a widow indeed that lives in pleasure (Ti1 5:6), or who lives licentiously. A jovial widow is not a widow indeed, not fit to be taken under the care of the church. She that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives, is no living member of the church, but as a carcase in it, or a mortified member. We may apply it more generally; those who live in pleasure are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses and sins; they are in the world to no purpose, buried alive as to the great ends of living.
II. Another rule he gives is that the church should not be charged with the maintenance of those widows who had relations of their own that were able to maintain them. This is mentioned several times (Ti1 5:4): If any widow have children or nephews, that is grandchildren or near relations, let them maintain them, and let not the church be burdened. So Ti1 5:16. This is called showing piety at home (Ti1 5:4), or showing piety towards their own families. Observe, The respect of children to their parents, with their care of them, is fitly called piety. This is requiting their parents. Children can never sufficiently requite their parents for the care they have taken of them, and the pains they have taken with them; but they must endeavour to do it. It is the indispensable duty of children, if their parents be in necessity, and they in ability to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power, for this is good and acceptable before God. The Pharisees taught that a gift to the altar was more acceptable to God than relieving a poor parent, Mat 15:5. But here we are told that this is better than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices; this is good and acceptable, etc. He speaks of this again (Ti1 5:8), If any provide not for his own, etc. If any men or women do not maintain their own poor relations who belong to them, they do in effect deny the faith; for the design of Christ was to confirm the law of Moses, and particularly the law of the fifth commandment, which is, Honour thy father and mother; so that those deny the faith who disobey that law, much more if they provide not for their wives and children, who are parts of themselves; if they spend that upon their lusts which should maintain their families, they have denied the faith and are worse than infidels. One reason why this care must be taken that those who are rich should maintain their poor relations, and not burden the church with them is (Ti1 5:16) that it may relieve those who are widows indeed. Observe, Charity misplaced is a great hindrance to true charity; there should be prudence in the choice of the objects of charity, that it may not be thrown away upon those who are not properly so, that there may be the more for those who are real objects of charity.
III. He gives directions concerning the characters of the widows that were to be taken into the number to receive the church's charity: not under sixty years old, nor any who have divorced their husbands or been divorced from them and have married again; she must have been the wife of one man, such as had been a housekeeper, had a good name for hospitality and charity, well reported of for good works. Observe, Particular care ought to be taken to relieve those, when they fall into decay, who, when they had wherewithal, were ready to every good work. Here are instances of such good works as are proper to be done by good wives: If she have brought up children: he does not say, If she have borne children (children are a heritage of the Lord), that depends on the will of God; but, if she had not children of her own, yet if she had brought up children. If she have lodged strangers, and washed the saints' feet; if she have been ready to give entertainment to good Christians and good ministers, when they were in their travels for the spreading of the gospel. Washing of the feet o their friends was a part of their entertainments. If she have relieved the afflicted when she had ability, let her be relieved now. Observe, Those who would find mercy when they are in distress must show mercy when they are in prosperity.
IV. He cautions them to take heed of admitting into the number those who are likely to be no credit to them (Ti1 5:11): The younger widows refuse: they will be weary of their employments in the church, and of living by rule, as they must do; so they will marry, and cast off their first faith. You read of a first love (Rev 2:4), and here of a first faith, that is, the engagements they gave to the church to behave well, and as became the trust reposed in them: it does not appear that by their first faith is meant their vow not to marry, for the scripture is very silent on that head; besides the apostle here advises the younger widows to marry (Ti1 5:14), which he would not if hereby they must have broken their vows. Dr. Whitby well observes, "If this faith referred to a promise made to the church not to marry, it could not be called their first faith." Withal they learn to be idle, and not only idle, but tattlers, etc., Ti1 5:13. Observe, It is seldom that those who are idle are idle only, they learn to be tattlers and busy-bodies, and to make mischief among neighbours, and sow discord among brethren. Those who had not attained to such a gravity of mind as was fit for the deaconesses (or the widows who were taken among the church's poor), let them marry, bear children, etc., Ti1 5:14. Observe, If housekeepers do not mind their business, but are tattlers, they give occasion to the adversaries of Christianity to reproach the Christian name, which, it seems, there were some instances of, Ti1 5:15. We learn hence, 1. In the primitive church there was care taken of poor widows, and provision made for them; and the churches of Christ in these days should follow so good an example, as far as they are able. 2. In the distribution of the church's charity, or alms, great care is to be taken that those share in the public bounty who most want it and best deserve it. A widow was not to be taken into the primitive church that had relations who were able to maintain her, or who was not well reported of for good works, but lived in pleasure: But the younger widows refuse, for, when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry. 3. The credit of religion, and the reputation of Christian churches, are very much concerned in the character and behaviour of those that are taken into any employment in the church, though of a lower nature (such as the business of deaconesses), or that receive alms of the church; if they do not behave well, but are tatlers and busy-bodies, they will give occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 4. Christianity obliges its professors to relieve their indigent friends, particularly poor widows, that the church may not be charged with them, that it may relieve those that are widows indeed: rich people should be ashamed to burden the church with their poor relations, when it is with difficulty that those are supplied who have no children or nephews, that is, grand-children, who are in a capacity to relieve them.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 3–16. Public domain.
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Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Concerning Widows 9.56
And you, O widow, find those who will pray for you. If as a true widow and desolate you hope in God, continue constant in supplications. Persist in prayers. Treat your body as dying daily, that by dying you may live again. Avoid pleasures, that you, too, being sick, may be healed.
John ChrysostomAD 407
HOMILIES ON 1 THESSALONIANS 6
To whom is this said? To those who have no children, because they are more highly approved and have a greater opportunity of pleasing God, because all their chains are loosened to them. There is no one to hold them fast, no one to compel them to drag their chains after them. You are separated from your husband but are united to God. You have not a fellow servant for your associate, but you have your Lord.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 1 Timothy 13
"Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth." She who being a widow has not made choice of a worldly life, is a widow indeed; she who trusts in God as she ought, and continues instant in prayer night and day, is a widow indeed. Not that she, who has children, is not a widow indeed. For he commends her who brings up children as she ought. But if any one has not children, he means, she is desolate, and her he consoles, saying, that she is most truly a widow, who has lost not only the consolation of a husband, but that arising from children, yet she has God in the place of all. She is not the worse for not having children, but He fills up her need with consolation, in that she is without children. What he says amounts to this. Grieve not, when it is said that a widow ought to bring up children, as if, because thou hast no children thy worth were on that account inferior. Thou art a widow indeed, whereas she who liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
JeromeAD 420
LETTERS 54.7
A widow who has ceased to have a husband to please, and who in the apostle’s language is a widow indeed, needs nothing more earnestly than perseverance. Remembering past enjoyments, she knows what gave her pleasure and what she has now lost. By rigid fasting and vigils she must quench the fiery darts of the devil.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
LETTERS 130.16.29-30
When the Lord exhorted us to pray always and not to faint, he told of the widow whose continuous appeal brought a wicked and impious judge, who scorned both God and man, to hear her cause. From this it can be easily understood how widows, beyond all others, have the duty of applying themselves to prayer, since an example was taken from widows to encourage us all to develop a love of prayer. But, in a practice of such importance, what characteristic of widows is singled out but their poverty and desolation? Therefore, insofar as every soul understands that it is poor and desolate in this world, as long as it is absent from the Lord, it surely commends its widowhood, so to speak, to God its defender, with continual and most earnest prayer.
CassiodorusAD 585
EXPLANATION OF THE PSALMS 131.15
The church is called Christ’s widow, because she is stripped of all worldly help and places her hope solely in the Lord. Like a widow, she suffers the shameful actions of evil men, the most cruel plunderings of the wicked. Like a woman deprived of a husband’s aid, she always grieves and is always worn out, yet she enjoys the unchanging steadfastness of a most chaste mind.… She is called a widow because she is bereft of worldly protection and has placed her hope in her heavenly Bridegroom, who has transformed her swarthiness into beauty, her error into uprightness, her cruelty into devotion and her frailty into total constancy.
OecumeniusAD 990
COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY
But the widow who is truly alone has hoped in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But the one who lives in luxury has died while still living.
But the widow who is truly alone. Since Paul ordered that those who are truly widows to be honored, he now says what kind of women are truly widows, characterizing them in an explanation. He says she is isolated, both from children and from descendants.
has hoped in God and continues in supplications and prayers. Therefore, this is the true widow, who hopes in God and waits with prayers. For since she is abandoned of human help, it is reasonable that she turns to God.
But the one who lives in luxury has died while still living. For many choose widowhood in order to act with greater authority in things that are not proper, Paul says: "But the one who lives in luxury," that is, the one living in indulgence, "though living, has died." How? For life seems to be the life now. The eternal life has been lost. Therefore, she has died through sin, as far as eternal life is concerned.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
First Timothy 5:5 meticulously describes the "widow indeed," a specific category of vulnerable women in the early church deemed worthy of official support. Paul portrays her as genuinely desolate and without human provision, a circumstance that profoundly deepens her reliance on God. Her distinguishing marks are an unwavering trust in the Almighty and a life characterized by continuous, fervent supplications and prayers, demonstrating a spiritual discipline that endures "night and day."
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated within Paul's practical instructions to Timothy concerning the administration and internal order of the church in Ephesus. Chapter 5 specifically addresses the care of various demographics, with a significant portion dedicated to widows. Paul distinguishes between different types of widows, emphasizing that not all were eligible for the church's formal support. The "widow indeed" of 1 Timothy 5:5 is contrasted with younger widows who might remarry or become idle (1 Timothy 5:11-15) and with those who have family members capable of providing for them (1 Timothy 5:16). Paul's directives aim to ensure that church resources are wisely stewarded and directed towards those truly in need who also exhibit genuine spiritual character, as outlined in 1 Timothy 5:3.
Historical & Cultural Context: In the ancient world, women, particularly widows, were highly vulnerable without the protection and provision of a male family member. Society offered few safety nets beyond the immediate family. Jewish tradition, rooted in the Old Testament, emphasized care for widows and orphans, often viewing it as a measure of a community's righteousness. The early Christian church, in its nascent stages, became a unique social structure that extended this care, often stepping in where traditional family support was absent or insufficient. This context highlights the profound desolation a widow could experience and the radical nature of the church's commitment to its most vulnerable members, provided they met certain criteria of genuine need and spiritual devotion.
Key Themes: The passage contributes to several key themes within 1 Timothy and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the church's responsibility for the vulnerable, particularly those who are truly without other means of support. Secondly, it highlights the nature of authentic faith and dependence on God, especially in times of profound desolation. The "widow indeed" serves as a model of someone whose circumstances drive her into deeper reliance on God rather than despair. Thirdly, it emphasizes the spiritual discipline of persistent prayer as a vital expression of trust and a source of strength. Her continuous "supplications and prayers night and day" echo the devotion of figures like the prophetess Anna in the Gospel of Luke, who served God with fasting and prayer.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. Contrast is implicitly used, as the "widow indeed" stands apart from other categories of widows discussed in the surrounding verses, highlighting her unique spiritual and material qualifications. The phrase "night and day" functions as a merism, where two opposing parts (night and day) are used to represent a complete whole (continuous, unceasing activity). This emphasizes the unwavering consistency of her prayer life. Furthermore, the "widow indeed" serves as a type or embodiment of genuine spiritual dependence and devotion, her life becoming a living example of profound trust in God amidst desolation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The "widow indeed" embodies a profound theological truth: true spiritual dependence blossoms most fully when human resources are exhausted. Her desolation, rather than leading to despair, becomes the crucible in which her unwavering trust in God is forged and demonstrated. This radical reliance on the Almighty aligns with God's character as the ultimate provider and protector, particularly for the vulnerable. Her consistent prayer life is not merely a coping mechanism but a vibrant expression of faith, acknowledging God's sovereignty and accessibility. This example challenges believers to cultivate a similar posture of complete reliance on God, especially when facing life's inevitable seasons of desolation or lack, recognizing that our greatest strength is often found in our utter dependence on Him.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The portrait of the "widow indeed" in 1 Timothy 5:5 offers timeless lessons for all believers, extending far beyond the specific demographic of widows. Her defining characteristics—genuine desolation, unwavering trust in God, and persistent prayer—provide a powerful model for navigating life's challenges. In a world that often encourages self-reliance and material security, this verse calls us to a radical dependence on God, especially when our human support systems fail or our circumstances leave us feeling isolated. It reminds us that periods of desolation can be divine invitations to deepen our trust in the One who truly sees and provides. Her continuous "supplications and prayers night and day" underscore the transformative power of a consistent prayer life, urging us to cultivate an ongoing dialogue with God, not just in moments of crisis, but as a daily posture of faith and communion. For the church, this passage serves as a vital reminder to discern and genuinely care for those among us who are truly in need, both materially and spiritually, recognizing that their profound dependence on God is a testament to His faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "widow indeed" mean, and why is it important in this passage?
Answer: The term "widow indeed" (Greek: chḗra ontōs) in 1 Timothy 5:5 refers to a specific category of widows whom the early church was to officially support. It signifies a woman who is genuinely without any other means of human or familial support, truly "desolate" (memonoménē). Paul distinguishes this type of widow from younger widows who might remarry (1 Timothy 5:11) or those who have family members capable of caring for them (1 Timothy 5:16). The importance lies in both her material need and, crucially, her spiritual character: she "trusteth in God" and "continueth in supplications and prayers night and day." This combination of genuine desolation and profound spiritual devotion made her a prime candidate for the church's special care, ensuring that resources were directed towards those who were truly dependent on God and lacked other provisions.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound dependence of the "widow indeed" on God, manifested in her unwavering trust and ceaseless prayer, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect expression in Jesus Christ. While she trusts in God, the New Covenant reveals that this God is fully embodied in Jesus, the Son. Her desolation, driving her to divine reliance, foreshadows the believer's complete dependence on Christ for salvation, sustenance, and comfort. Just as she "continueth in supplications and prayers night and day," so too did Christ model a life of constant communion with the Father, often withdrawing to pray for extended periods (Luke 6:12). He is the ultimate answer to the desolate heart, inviting all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28). Furthermore, the church's compassionate care for the "widow indeed" is a direct outworking of Christ's own heart for the vulnerable, reflecting His ministry of compassion and justice (Acts 6:1-7). In Christ, the abstract "trust in God" becomes a personal, relational faith in the living Lord who is both our High Priest interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25) and the very source of our hope and strength (Colossians 1:27).