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
International Standard Version
Treatment of Widows
5 Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him as if he were your father. Treat[a] younger men like brothers, 2 older women like mothers, and younger women like sisters, with absolute purity.
3 Honor widows who have no other family members to care for them.[b] 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to respect their own family by repaying their parents, for this is pleasing in God’s sight. 5 A woman who has no other family members to care for her[c] and who is left all alone has placed her hope in God and devotes herself to petitions and prayers night and day. 6 But the self-indulgent widow[d] is just as good as dead.
7 Continue to give these instructions, so that they may be blameless. 8 If anyone does not take care of his own relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 A widow may be put on the widows’[e] list if she is at least sixty years old and has been the wife of one husband.[f] 10 She must be well known for her good actions as a woman who has raised children, welcomed strangers, washed the saints’ feet, helped the suffering, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.
11 But do not include younger widows on your list.[g] For whenever their natural desires cause them to lose their devotion to the Messiah,[h] they want to remarry. 12 They receive condemnation because they have set aside their prior commitment to the Messiah.[i] 13 At the same time, they also learn how to be lazy while going from house to house. Not only this, but they even become gossips and keep busy by interfering in other people’s lives, saying things they should not say.
14 Therefore, I want younger widows to remarry, have children, manage their homes, and not give the enemy any chance to ridicule them. 15 For some widows[j] have already turned away to follow Satan. 16 If any woman[k] is a believer and has relatives who are widows, she should help them. The church should not be burdened, so it can help those widows who have no other family members to care for them.[l]
Elders and Their Duties
17 Elders who handle their duties[m] well should be considered worthy of double compensation,[n] especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox while it is treading out grain,”[o] and, “A worker deserves his pay.”[p] 19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported “by two or three witnesses.”[q] 20 As for those who keep on sinning, rebuke them in front of everyone so that the rest will also be afraid. 21 With God as my witness, as well as the Messiah[r] Jesus and the chosen angels, I solemnly call on you to carry out these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality. 22 Do not ordain[s] anyone hastily. Do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 23 Stop drinking only water, but use a little wine for your stomach because of your frequent illnesses.
24 The sins of some people are obvious, leading them to judgment. The sins[t] of others follow them there. 25 In the same way, good actions are obvious, and those that are not cannot remain hidden.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 5:1 The Gk. lacks Treat
- 1 Timothy 5:3 Lit. who are really widows
- 1 Timothy 5:5 Lit. who is really a widow
- 1 Timothy 5:6 Lit. the one
- 1 Timothy 5:9 The Gk. lacks widows’
- 1 Timothy 5:9 Or devoted to her husband; lit. a woman of one man
- 1 Timothy 5:11 The Gk. lacks on your list
- 1 Timothy 5:11 Or Christ
- 1 Timothy 5:12 The Gk. lacks to the Messiah
- 1 Timothy 5:15 The Gk. lacks widows
- 1 Timothy 5:16 Other mss. read man or woman
- 1 Timothy 5:16 Lit. who are really widows
- 1 Timothy 5:17 Or who rule
- 1 Timothy 5:17 Or honor
- 1 Timothy 5:18 Cf. Deut 25:4
- 1 Timothy 5:18 Cf. Luke 10:7
- 1 Timothy 5:19 Cf. Deut 17:6; 19:15
- 1 Timothy 5:21 Or Christ
- 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit. lay hands on
- 1 Timothy 5:24 Lit. Those
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