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Speak To Everyone As You Would Your Own Family Members

Do not sharply-rebuke an older man, but be appealing-to[a] him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters in all purity.

Provide Church Support For Real Widows Attested By Faith And Good Works

Be honoring widows— the real[b] widows. Now if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to reverence[c] their own household and to give-back a return to their ancestors. For this is acceptable[d] in the sight of God. But the one who is a real widow and has been left-alone[e] has put her hope upon God, and continues-in petitions and prayers by night and by day. But the one living-indulgently is-dead while living. Indeed be commanding these things in order that they may be above-reproach. But if anyone does not provide-for his own relatives, and especially family-members, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Let a widow be put-on-the-list[f] having become not fewer than sixty years old, a woman of one man[g], 10 being attested by good works: if she brought-up-children, if she received-strangers[h], if she washed the feet of saints, if she aided ones being afflicted, if she followed-after every good work.

But Decline To Include The Young Widows; Let Them Marry

11 But be declining[i] younger[j] widows. For when they grow-sensual[k] against Christ, they want to marry— 12 having condemnation [upon themselves] because[l] they set-aside their first pledge. 13 And at the same time also they are learning to be idle[m], while going-around the houses. And not only idle, but also babblers and busybodies— speaking the things not being proper. 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to marry, to bear-children, to manage-the-house[n], to give to the one opposing no opportunity for the sake of reviling[o]. 15 For some already turned-aside after Satan. 16 If any believing-woman has widows, let her be aiding them, and let the church not be burdened in order that it may aid the real widows.

Give Unbiased Church Support And Respect To Elders Leading Well

17 Let the elders having led well be considered-worthy of double[p] honor, especially[q] the ones laboring in word[r] and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says “You shall not muzzle a threshing ox” [Deut 25:4], and “The worker is worthy of his wages” [Lk 10:7]. 19 Do not be accepting an accusation against an elder unless on the basis of two or three witnesses. 20 Be rebuking the ones sinning in the presence of all[s], in order that the rest also may have fear. 21 I solemnly-charge you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels that you keep these things without pre-judgment, doing nothing according-to[t] partiality[u]. 22 Be laying hands[v] on no one hastily, nor sharing[w] in the sins belonging-to-others; be keeping yourself pure. (23 No longer be-a-water-drinker, but be using a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent sicknesses). 24 The sins of some[x] people are clear-beforehand, going ahead-of them to judgment, but indeed for some they follow-after. 25 Similarly also the good works are clear-beforehand, and the ones having it otherwise[y] are not able to be hidden.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:1 Or, urging.
  2. 1 Timothy 5:3 As seen next, Paul means widows dependent on God alone in contrast to those with relatives, or whose character has not demonstrated a relationship to God or His family, or who are of marriageable age.
  3. 1 Timothy 5:4 That is, treat with reverence, show devotion to, respect.
  4. 1 Timothy 5:4 Or, pleasing.
  5. 1 Timothy 5:5 Or, made-alone.
  6. 1 Timothy 5:9 Or, enrolled, enlisted. That is, as financially supported by the church; or, as a deaconess serving the church.
  7. 1 Timothy 5:9 Or, a wife of one husband. Some think this refers in some sense to marital status; others, to marital fidelity.
  8. 1 Timothy 5:10 Or, showed-hospitality.
  9. 1 Timothy 5:11 That is, declining to put on the list.
  10. 1 Timothy 5:11 That is, such as would bear children, v 14.
  11. 1 Timothy 5:11 That is, desire the pleasures of marriage. Their desire for children and a home will lead them to pursue things other than the service to Christ as a widow to which they pledged themselves.
  12. 1 Timothy 5:12 Or, the condemnation that.
  13. 1 Timothy 5:13 Or, lazy, unproductive.
  14. 1 Timothy 5:14 Or, be-master-of-the-house.
  15. 1 Timothy 5:14 Or, insulting, abusing the church or the faith.
  16. 1 Timothy 5:17 Or, two-fold, twice-as-much.
  17. 1 Timothy 5:17 That is, in contrast to elders excelling in other forms of leadership.
  18. 1 Timothy 5:17 That is, the Word; or, speech.
  19. 1 Timothy 5:20 That is, all the elders; or, all the church.
  20. 1 Timothy 5:21 Or, by way of.
  21. 1 Timothy 5:21 Or, bias, partisanship.
  22. 1 Timothy 5:22 That is, to commission elders; or, to restore elders.
  23. 1 Timothy 5:22 Such is the case if one appoints leaders who turn out to be unqualified due to sin.
  24. 1 Timothy 5:24 That is, some on whom you might consider laying hands.
  25. 1 Timothy 5:25 That is, not openly apparent to people. These works will not stay hidden upon examination. Good character is verifiable.

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