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Caring for God’s family

Don’t correct an older man, but encourage him like he’s your father; treat younger men like your brothers, treat older women like your mother, and treat younger women like your sisters with appropriate respect.

Take care of widows who are truly needy.

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Instructions about Specific Groups

Do not address an older man harshly[a] but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers,[b] older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters—with complete purity.

Honor[c] widows who are truly in need.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:1 tn Or “Do not speak harshly to an older man.”
  2. 1 Timothy 5:1 tn No verb “speak” is stated in this clause, but it continues the sense of the preceding.
  3. 1 Timothy 5:3 sn The word honor here carries the double meaning of respect and financial support. This Greek word can imply both senses, and both are intended in this context.
  4. 1 Timothy 5:3 tn Grk “the real widows,” “those who are really widows.”