8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house,
8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
8 Anyone who neglects to care for family members in need repudiates the faith. That's worse than refusing to believe in the first place.
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
8 But those who won't care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:8
Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3-8
(Read 1 Timothy 5:3-8)
Honour widows that are widows indeed, relieve them, and maintain them. It is the duty of children, if their parents are in need, and they are able to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power. Widowhood is a desolate state; but let widows trust in the Lord, and continue in prayer. All who live in pleasure, are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses and sins. Alas, what numbers there are of this description among nominal Christians, even to the latest period of life! If any men or women do not maintain their poor relations, they in effect deny the faith. If they spend upon their lusts and pleasures, what should maintain their families, they have denied the faith, and are worse than infidels. If professors of the gospel give way to any corrupt principle or conduct, they are worse than those who do not profess to believe the doctrines of grace.