1 Timothy 5
Christian Standard Bible
5 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.
The Support of Widows
3 Support[a] widows(A) who are genuinely in need. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. 5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God(B) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; 6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.(C) 7 Command this also, so that they will be above reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide(D) for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith(E) and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, 10 and is well known for good works(F)—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,(G) washed the saints’ feet,(H) helped the afflicted,(I) and devoted herself to every good work.(J) 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry(K) 12 and will therefore receive condemnation(L) because they have renounced their original pledge. 13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips(M) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. 14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry,(N) have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.(O) 15 For some have already turned away(P) to follow Satan. 16 If any[b] believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.
Honoring the Elders
17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor,[c] especially those who work hard(Q) at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,[d](R) and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”(S)
19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.(T) 20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid. 21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe(U) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. 22 Don’t be too quick to appoint[e](V) anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.(W) 23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 24 Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment,(X) but the sins of others surface[f] later. 25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.
1 Timothy 5
New Life Version
Teaching About Women Whose Husbands Have Died
5 Do not speak sharp words to an older man. Talk with him as if he were a father. Talk to younger men as brothers. 2 Talk to older women as mothers. Talk to younger women as sisters, keeping yourself pure. 3 Help women whose husbands have died. 4 If a woman whose husband has died has children or grandchildren, they are the ones to care for her. In that way, they can pay back to their parents the kindness that has been shown to them. God is pleased when this is done. 5 Women whose husbands have died are alone in this world. Their trust is in the Lord. They pray day and night. 6 But the one who lives only for the joy she can receive from this world is the same as dead even if she is alive.
7 Teach these things so they will do what is right. 8 Anyone who does not take care of his family and those in his house has turned away from the faith. He is worse than a person who has never put his trust in Christ. 9 A woman over sixty years old whose husband has died may receive help from the church. To receive this help, she must have been the wife of one man. 10 She must be known for doing good things for people and for being a good mother. She must be known for taking strangers into her home and for washing the feet of Christians. She must be known for helping those who suffer and for showing kindness.
11 Do not write the names of younger women whose husbands have died together with the names of others who need help. They will turn away from Christ because of wanting to get married again. 12 Then they would be thought of as guilty of breaking their first promise. 13 They will waste their time. They will go from house to house carrying stories. They will find fault with people and say things they should not talk about. 14 I think it is best for younger women whose husbands have died to get married. They should have children and care for their own homes. Then no one can speak against them. 15 Some of these women have already turned away to follow Satan. 16 If you have any women whose husbands have died in your family, you must care for them. The church should not have to help them. The church can help women whose husbands have died who are all alone in this world and have no one else to help them.
Teaching About Leaders
17 Leaders who do their work well should be given twice as much pay, and for sure, those who work hard preaching and teaching. 18 The Holy Writings say, “When a cow is walking on the grain to break it open, do not stop it from eating some” (A), and “A person who works should be paid.” (B)
19 Do not listen to what someone says against a church leader unless two or three persons say the same thing. 20 Show those who keep on sinning where they are wrong in front of the whole church. Then others will be afraid of sinning. 21 I tell you from my heart that you must follow these rules without deciding before the truth is known. God and Jesus Christ and the chosen angels know what I am saying. Show favors to no one. 22 Do not be in a hurry about choosing a church leader. You do not want to have any part in other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure.
23 Do not drink water only. Use a little wine because of your stomach and because you are sick so often.
24 The sins of some men can be seen. Their sins go before them and make them guilty. The sins of other men will be seen later. 25 In the same way, good works are easy to see now. But some that are not easy to be seen cannot always be hid.
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