1 Timothy 5:5

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.

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

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1 Timothy 5:5

A widow indeed, and desolate - The word rendered "desolate" means "solitary, alone." It does not necessarily imply the idea of discomfort which we attach to the word desolate. The sense is, that she had no children or other descendants; none on whom she could depend for support.

Trusteth in God - She has no one else to look to but God. She has no earthly reliance, and, destitute of husband, children, and property, she feels her dependence, and steadily looks to God for consolation and support.

And continueth in supplications and prayers night and day - Continually; compare notes on I Timothy 2:1; see also the description of Anna in Luke 2:36-37. The apostle regards this as one of the characteristics of those who were "widows indeed," whom he would have received into the class to be maintained by the church, and to whom the charge of younger members of the church might be entrusted.

**Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 1 Timothy 5:5:**

1 Timothy 5:3
1 Timothy 5:12
1 Timothy 5:16
1 Timothy 5:17
Titus 2:3
2 Peter 3:15

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1 Timothy 5:6 >>

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