1 TIMOTHY 5:16 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“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.”
If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her help them; let the church not be burdened, so that it may help those who are truly widows — the principle of subsidiarity: family members (especially believing women) bear primary responsibility for widows' support, sparing the church's resources for those with no kinship support. Efficient stewardship reflects ecclesiastical wisdom.
Church Fathers on 1 Timothy 5:16
Observe how again he speaks of those as “widows indeed,” who are left destitute, and have no resource from any other quarter. It was better to have it so. For thus two great objects were attained. Those had an opportunity of doing good, while these were honorably maintained, and the Church not burdened. And he has well said, “If any believer.” For it is not fit that believing women should be maintained by unbelievers, lest they should seem to stand in need of them. And…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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