1 Timothy 5:3

Treatment of Church Members

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,

2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

Honor True Widows

3 Honor widows who are really widows.

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and ^ato repay their parents; for this is¹ good and acceptable before God.

5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers ^anight and day.

6 But she who lives in¹ pleasure is dead while she lives.

7 And these things command, that they may be blameless.

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, ^aand especially for those of his household, ^bhe has denied the faith ^cand is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,

10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

11 But¹ refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first¹ faith.

13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

15 For some have already turned aside after Satan.

16 If any believing¹ man or woman has widows, let them² relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

Honor the Elders

17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

18 For the Scripture says, ^a“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, ^b“The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
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What Does 1 Timothy 5:3 Mean?

1 Timothy 5:3-4

What Paul says here often presents great difficulties under modern conditions, especially when young people must choose between caring for parents and furthering their ambitions or establishing a home. Paul teaches that not only children but also grandchildren have a definite obligation to live their religion by providing for their needy parents or grandparents. He bluntly states that they are to repay them for all their kindness and sacrifices. A child can never wholly repay this debt, but still he should consider it a sacred obligation to make it up as much as possible.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Fifth Commandment (1997)

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Treatment of Church Members

Honor True Widows

Honor the Elders

What Does 1 Timothy 5:3 Mean?

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning