New Testament
1 Timothy 5
Overview
Paul instructs Timothy on relating to the church as a family: do not rebuke an older man harshly but exhort him as a father, treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters in all purity. He then gives extended directions about widows, distinguishing the widow who is truly alone and devoted to prayer, whom the church should honor and support, from younger widows and from those who have families obligated to care for them—insisting that anyone who does not provide for relatives has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. He sets criteria for enrolling widows over sixty with a record of good works, counsels younger widows to marry and manage households rather than fall into idleness and gossip, and warns that some have already strayed after Satan. Paul turns to elders, teaching that those who rule well, especially in preaching and teaching, are worthy of double honor, supporting this with Scripture ("The laborer deserves his wages"); he establishes due process for accusations against elders, public rebuke of those who persist in sin, and impartiality without prejudgment. He cautions Timothy not to be hasty in laying on hands, to keep himself pure, to take a little wine for his stomach's sake, and observes that some people's sins and good works are evident now while others appear only later.
1Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
3Honour widows that are widows indeed.
4But 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.
5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
8But 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.
9Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10Well 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.
11But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13And 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.
14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15For some are already turned aside after Satan.
16If 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.
17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
21I 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.
22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
24Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.