Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
If she hath brought up children (ei eteknotrofhsen). Condition of first class. Late and rare word (Aristotle, Epictetus), first aorist active indicative of teknotrofew (teknotrofov, from teknon, trefw), here only in N.T. Qualification for her work as leader.
If she hath used hospitality to strangers (ei ecenodoxhsen). First aorist again and same condition. Late form (Dio Cassius) of old verb cenodokew (Herodotus), to welcome strangers (cenouv dexomai). Only here in N.T. Hospitality another qualification for such leadership (I Timothy 3:2).
If she hath washed the saints' feet (ei agiwn podav eniyen). Same condition and tense of niptw (old form nizw), common in N.T. (John 13:5). Proof of her hospitality, not of its being a church ordinance.
If she hath relieved the afflicted (ei qlibomenoiv ephrkesen). Same condition and tense of eparkew, to give sufficient aid, old word, in N.T. only here and verse I Timothy 5:16. Experience that qualified her for eleemosynary work.
If she hath diligently followed (ei ephkolouqhsen). Same condition and tense of epakolouqew, old verb, to follow close upon (epi). So here, verse I Timothy 5:24; I Peter 2:21. In a word such a widow must show her qualifications for leadership as with bishops and deacons.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Timothy 5:10:
John 13:14
1 Corinthians 7:39
1 Timothy 5:3
1 Timothy 5:16
1 Timothy 5:24
1 Peter 2:21
2 John 1:10
3 John 1:5
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