1 Timothy 5
New American Standard Bible
Honor Widows
5 (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, 2 to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are actually (D)widows; 4 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. 5 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. 6 But she who (J)indulges herself in luxury is (K)dead, even while she lives. 7 [a](L)Give these instructions as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8 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.
9 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 Timothy 5:7 Or Keep commanding
- 1 Timothy 5:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- 1 Timothy 5:12 Or broken
- 1 Timothy 5:17 Lit in word
- 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit do not share
- 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit pure
1 Timothy 5
Holman Christian Standard Bible
5 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and with all propriety, the younger women as sisters.
The Support of Widows
3 Support[a] widows(A) who are genuinely widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. 5 The real widow, 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 they won’t be blamed. 8 But if anyone does not provide(D) for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith(E) and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 No widow should be placed on the official support list[b] unless she is at least 60 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[c] believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.
Honoring the Elders
17 The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium,[d] 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,(R)[e] 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 also 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[f](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, going before them to judgment,(X) but the sins of others surface[g] later. 25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 5:3 Lit Honor
- 1 Timothy 5:9 Lit be enrolled
- 1 Timothy 5:16 Other mss add believing man or
- 1 Timothy 5:17 Or of respect and remuneration; lit of double honor
- 1 Timothy 5:18 Dt 25:4
- 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit to lay hands on = to ordain
- 1 Timothy 5:24 Lit follow
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