1 Timothy 5:9-10

1 Timothy 5:9-10

[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. 

What does 1 Timothy 5:9-10 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Evidently the Ephesian church had a "list" of "widows indeed" who received regular support from the congregation. A widow had to meet three qualifications to get her name on this list.
First, she had to be at least60 years old. At this age most widows probably became incapable of providing for their own needs, and most would no longer have the opportunity to remarry.
"Sixty was the recognized age in antiquity when one became an "old" man or woman ..." [1]
Second, she had to have been a one-man woman. The same qualification existed for elders and deacons ( 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:12). Following the same interpretation given in 1 Timothy 3:2, this would mean that she was unqualified if she had been unfaithful, promiscuous, or polyandrous. Polyandrous means married to more than one man at a time, which was a rare occurrence in Paul"s culture. Remarriage after the death of her spouse would not necessarily disqualify her.
Third, she had to have established a reputation for good works. Paul cited five typical examples of good works. (1) She had reared her children responsibly, assuming she had children. This evidenced good works in the home. (2) She had been hospitable. This demonstrated good works in her community. (3) She had humbly served her Christian brothers and sisters. "Washed the saints" feet" seems to be a figure of speech for humble service in the church family. (4) She had helped people in special need, an example of good works toward the needy. (5) She had "devoted herself" to good works. Good works had been important to her presumably as an expression of her faith in Christ.
Some writers believed that Paul was describing a special order of widows with spiritual and charitable duties to perform for which they received remuneration. [2] Such an order existed in later centuries, but its existence in the infancy of the church is indefensible. [3]