1 Timothy 5
25 verses
Paul's instructions on honoring widows establishes gradated concern: true widows—left alone, persisting in petitions and prayers—deserve the community's support, while younger widows whose desire grows stronger than their devotion to Christ risk becoming lazy gossips and busybodies. The principle to honor means to provide materially, making concrete financial support the form of honor, while the stipulation that no widow be enrolled except at age sixty with a record of good deeds establishes stewardship criteria. The command that elders who lead well, especially those who preach and teach, deserve double honor—wages and respect—treats honor and material remuneration as inseparable, making proper compensation for gospel workers a moral obligation grounded in their faithful labor. The prohibition never accept an accusation against an elder without two witnesses protects leadership from slanderous attack while establishing evidentiary standards reflecting OT law (Deut 19:15), showing Paul's rooting of church order in scriptural precedent. The personal note about Timothy's stomach—use a little wine—bridges pastoral instruction with pastoral care, acknowledging Timothy's physical vulnerability while encouraging moderation rather than asceticism. The instruction to keep yourself pure amid the surrounding temptations emphasizes Timothy's own sanctification as prerequisite for guiding others, making personal integrity inseparable from pastoral authority.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. ...
1
Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
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2
The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
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3
Honour widows that are widows indeed.
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4
But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
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5
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
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6
But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
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7
And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
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8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
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9
Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
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10
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
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11
But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
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12
Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
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13
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
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14
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
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15
For some are already turned aside after Satan.
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We bring nothing; He provides everything.. Their context of persecution gives these words a weight we often miss.. My gr...
16
If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
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God is faithful in every circumstance.. Faith isn't the absence of doubt — it's choosing to believe despite it.. God is ...
17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
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18
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
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19
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
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20
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
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21
I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
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22
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
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23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
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I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every...
24
Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
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We bring nothing; He provides everything.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. This is one of those passages that re...
25
Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
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