Honor Widows

(A)Do not sharply rebuke an (B)older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to (C)the younger men as brothers, to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Honor widows who are actually (D)widows; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, (E)they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is (F)acceptable in the sight of God. Now she who is actually a (G)widow and has been left alone (H)has set her hope on God, and she continues in (I)requests and prayers night and day. But she who (J)indulges herself in luxury is (K)dead, even while she lives. [a](L)Give these instructions as well, so that they may be above reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has (M)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

A widow is to be (N)put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been (O)the wife of one man, 10 having a reputation for (P)good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has (Q)shown hospitality to strangers, if she (R)has washed the [b]saints’ feet, if she has (S)assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to register younger widows, for when they feel (T)physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married, 12 thereby incurring condemnation, because they have [c]ignored their previous pledge. 13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also they become (U)gossips and (V)busybodies, talking about (W)things not proper to mention. 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get (X)married, have children, (Y)manage their households, and (Z)give the enemy no opportunity for reproach; 15 for some (AA)have already turned away to follow (AB)Satan. 16 If any woman who is a believer (AC)has dependent widows, she must (AD)assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually (AE)widows.

Concerning Elders

17 (AF)The elders who (AG)lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who (AH)work hard [d]at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “(AI)You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing,” and “(AJ)The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not accept an accusation against an (AK)elder except on the basis of (AL)two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, (AM)rebuke in the presence of all, (AN)so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 21 (AO)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 22 (AP)Do not lay hands upon anyone too quickly and [e]thereby share (AQ)responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself [f]free from sin.

23 Do not go on drinking only water, but (AR)use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

24 The sins of some people are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins (AS)follow after. 25 Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and (AT)those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:7 Or Keep commanding
  2. 1 Timothy 5:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  3. 1 Timothy 5:12 Or broken
  4. 1 Timothy 5:17 Lit in word
  5. 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit do not share
  6. 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit pure

Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren: the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth. These things also command, that they may be without reproach. But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work. 11 But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; 12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first [a]pledge. 13 And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I desire therefore that the younger [b]widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling: 15 for already some are turned aside after Satan. 16 If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 18 For the scripture saith, [c]Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire. 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. 21 I charge thee in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without [d]prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 23 Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after. 25 In like manner also [e]there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:12 Greek faith.
  2. 1 Timothy 5:14 Or, women
  3. 1 Timothy 5:18 Dt. 25:4.
  4. 1 Timothy 5:21 Or, preference
  5. 1 Timothy 5:25 Greek the works that are good are evident.