Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
If any . . . have widows—of his family, however related to him. Most of the oldest manuscripts and versions omit "man or," and read, "If any woman that believeth." But the Received text seems preferable. If, however, the weightiest authorities are to prevail, the sense will be: He was speaking of younger widows; He now says, If any believing young widow have widows related to her needing support, let her relieve them, thereby casing the Church of the burden, I Timothy 5:3-4 (there it was the children and grandchildren; here it is the young widow, who, in order to avoid the evils of idleness and wantonness, the result of idleness, I Timothy 5:11, I Timothy 5:13; Ezekiel 16:49, is to be diligent in good works, such as "relieving the afflicted," I Timothy 5:10, thus qualifying herself for being afterwards a widow-presbyteress).
let them—rather as Greek, "let him," or "her"; "let such a one" (I Timothy 5:10).
be charged—literally, "be burdened" with their support.
widows indeed—really helpless and friendless (I Timothy 5:3-4).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Timothy 5:16:
1 Timothy 5:3
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