1 Timothy 5:3-16

1 Timothy 5:3-16

[3] Honour  widows  indeed.  [4] But  widow  have  children  or  nephews,  let them learn  first  to shew piety  at home,  and  to requite  their parents:  for  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  give in charge,  that  blameless.  [8] But  provide  not  for his own,  and  specially  for those of his own house,  he hath denied  the faith,  and  worse than  an infidel.  [9] 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  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  already  turned aside  after  Satan.  [16] man  have  widows,  let them relieve  them,  and  not  the church  be charged;  that  it may relieve  them that are widows  indeed. 

What does 1 Timothy 5:3-16 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul gave instructions concerning the church"s responsibility for its widows to clarify how and for whom the church should provide special care. Widows have been and still are especially vulnerable individuals. As such God has always shown special concern for their protection (cf. Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 24:17; Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 1:17; Luke 2:37). The early church normally mirrored His attitude ( Acts 6:1; Acts 9:39). In the Greco-Roman world a female normally obtained her social status and identity from her male, either her father or, after marriage, her husband. [1]
". . . the real widow seems to be set up as an ideal in contrast to the young widows in much the same way that Timothy is in contrast to the false teachers ( 1 Timothy 4:6-16; 1 Timothy 6:11-16)." [2]
This whole discussion of widows appears to focus on the younger widows in particular. They may be the same women Paul spoke of in 2 Timothy 3:6-7 who were responding positively to the false teachers. This may explain the surprising length of the section. This is the most extensive treatment of a group in the whole epistle.