1 Timothy 5
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Duties toward Believers
5 Do not speak harshly to an older man,[a] but speak to him as to a father, to younger men as brothers,(A) 2 to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters—with absolute purity.
3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 If a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn their religious duty to their own family and make some repayment to their parents, for this is pleasing in God’s sight.(B) 5 The real widow, left alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,(C) 6 but the widow[b] who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.(D) 7 Give these commands as well, so that they may be above reproach.(E) 8 And whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.(F)
9 Let a widow be put on the list if she is not less than sixty years old and has been married only once;[c] 10 she must be well attested for her good works, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.(G) 11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when their sensual desires alienate them from Christ, they want to marry, 12 and so they incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idle, gadding about from house to house, and they are not merely idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say.(H) 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, and manage their households, so as to give the adversary no occasion to revile us.(I) 15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan. 16 If any believing woman[d] has relatives who are widows, let her assist them; let the church not be burdened, so that it can assist those who are real widows.
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor,[e] especially those who labor in preaching and teaching,(J) 18 for the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain” and “The laborer deserves to be paid.”(K) 19 Never accept any accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may stand in fear.(L) 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, I warn you to keep these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality.(M) 22 Do not ordain[f] anyone hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.(N)
23 No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24 The sins of some people are conspicuous and precede them to judgment, while the sins of others follow them there. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden.
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
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
