1 Timothy5

This chapter instructs Timothy on proper conduct within the church, emphasizing respectful interaction with different age and gender groups. It provides detailed guidelines for the care of widows, distinguishing between those truly deserving of church support and those who should be cared for by family or encouraged to remarry. Furthermore, it outlines the honour due to well-ruling elders and stresses the importance of impartiality and purity in leadership.

Listen to this chapter

Respectful Treatment of Believers

Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,

older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Care and Enrollment of Widows

Honor the widows who are truly widows.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

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.

But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.

Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man,

and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.

But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,

and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.

At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.

So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

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.

Guidelines for Church Elders and Discipline

Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.

Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later.

In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.

Study Notes for 1 Timothy 5

Verse 1

The Greek word for 'elder' (presbyteros) here refers primarily to an older man in age, though the principle applies equally to church officials. Timothy, though young, is instructed to correct older men with deference, treating them as a father.

Verse 3

To 'honour' (timē) widows means providing them with material support. Paul immediately establishes the criteria for which widows the church should officially support: those who are 'widows indeed.'

Verse 4

The primary responsibility for financial care rests with the family (children and descendants/grandchildren). This principle of requiting parents is viewed as a fundamental act of piety and duty before God.

Verse 5

A 'widow indeed' is defined as one who is truly desolate, without family support, and whose life is wholly committed to spiritual devotion, trust, and continuous prayer.

Verse 6

This contrasts sharply with the devout widow. A life focused on self-indulgence or pleasure (spatalao) is seen as spiritually barren, equating worldly focus with spiritual death.

Verse 8

A powerful statement emphasizing the ethical duty of believers to provide for their immediate family. Failure to do so is a denial of the practical love inherent in the Christian faith, placing the individual outside the bounds of basic morality.

Verse 9

This verse begins the criteria for official enrollment (katalegetai), likely referring to a list of women receiving ongoing church support or potentially serving in a formal capacity. Sixty years of age ensured maturity and stability.

Verse 10

The requirement focuses on a track record of practical Christian service, indicating that enrollment was not just a matter of need, but recognition of a life dedicated to good works and ministry.

Verse 11

Paul advises refusing younger widows, anticipating the difficulty of maintaining their commitment. 'Wax wanton against Christ' implies that their natural desires for marriage may override their dedication to the service they pledged upon enrollment.

Verse 12

The 'damnation' (krima) refers to the judgment incurred for breaking the solemn pledge or commitment ('first faith') they made when they were officially enrolled, not necessarily eternal condemnation.

Verse 13

Idleness leads to moral and social decay. Paul identifies the practical dangers of young, unsupported women wandering and becoming busybodies, which could harm the reputation of the church.

Verse 14

The practical solution for younger widows is marriage and domestic life. This prevents idleness and eliminates any opportunity for non-believers ('the adversary') to justly criticize the Christian community.

Verse 16

This restates the principle of v. 4: family members must support their own dependent widows so that the limited resources of the church can be focused exclusively on those truly 'widows indeed' who have no other means.

Verse 17

Double honour (timē) means both high respect and financial compensation. Paul distinguishes between elders who only govern ('rule well') and those whose primary function is teaching ('labour in the word and doctrine'), advocating for greater reward for the latter.

Verse 18

Paul supports the instruction for financial compensation by quoting both Deuteronomy 25:4 (the ox) and a saying of Jesus (Luke 10:7, 'the labourer is worthy of his reward'), establishing a clear scriptural basis for supporting ministers.

Verse 19

This instruction, reflecting the requirements of Old Testament law (Deut. 19:15), protects church leaders from frivolous or malicious accusations, ensuring due process and stability in leadership.

Verse 20

While accusations require multiple witnesses, proven sin must be addressed publicly. Public rebuke serves to maintain the moral integrity of the church and provides a powerful deterrent for others.

Verse 21

Invoking God, Christ, and the 'elect angels' adds immense solemnity to the charge, stressing that Timothy must exercise impartiality (doing nothing 'by partiality') in his judicial and administrative duties.

Verse 22

This refers to the practice of ordination or appointment to leadership (elders). Timothy must exercise extreme caution in selecting leaders, lest he become complicit in the sins of those he hastily elevates to office.

Verse 23

A personal and practical note demonstrating Paul’s concern for Timothy’s physical health, advising a common ancient remedy for digestive issues. This shows that rigid asceticism was not mandated, even for spiritual leaders.

Verse 24

This relates back to the caution in appointing leaders (v. 22). Some men's unsuitability is obvious ('open beforehand'), while others' character flaws only become evident after they have been appointed.

Verse 25

Just as some sins are hidden, some good works are not immediately apparent. Paul encourages patience and careful observation, trusting that true character, whether good or bad, will eventually be revealed.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

1 Timothy5

Respectful Treatment of Believers

Care and Enrollment of Widows

Guidelines for Church Elders and Discipline

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options