3 honour widows who are really widows; 4 and if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to their own house to show piety, and to give back a recompense to the parents, for this is right and acceptable before God. 5 And she who is really a widow and desolate, hath hoped upon God, and doth remain in the supplications and in the prayers night and day, 6 and she who is given to luxury, living—hath died; 7 and these things charge, that they may be blameless; 8 and if any one for his own—and especially for those of the household—doth not provide, the faith he hath denied, and than an unbeliever he is worse. 9 A widow—let her not be enrolled under sixty years of age, having been a wife of one husband, 10 in good works being testified to: if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers, if saints' feet she washed, if those in tribulation she relieved, if every good work she followed after; 11 and younger widows be refusing, for when they may revel against the Christ, they wish to marry, 12 having judgment, because the first faith they did cast away, 13 and at the same time also, they learn 'to be' idle, going about the houses; and not only idle, but also tattlers and busybodies, speaking the things they ought not; 14 I wish, therefore, younger ones to marry, to bear children, to be mistress of the house, to give no occasion to the opposer to reviling; 15 for already certain did turn aside after the Adversary. 16 If any believing man or believing woman have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the assembly be burdened, that those really widows it may relieve.
17 The well-leading elders of double honour let them be counted worthy, especially those labouring in word and teaching, 18 for the Writing saith, 'An ox treading out thou shalt not muzzle,' and 'Worthy 'is' the workman of his reward.' 19 Against an elder an accusation receive not, except upon two or three witnesses. 20 Those sinning, reprove before all, that the others also may have fear; 21 I testify fully, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the choice messengers, that these things thou mayest keep, without forejudging, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Be laying hands quickly on no one, nor be having fellowship with sins of others; be keeping thyself pure; 23 no longer be drinking water, but a little wine be using, because of thy stomach and of thine often infirmities; 24 of certain men the sins are manifest beforehand, leading before to judgment, and certain also they follow after; 25 in like manner also the right works are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise are not able to be hid.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3-25
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.
Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9-16
(Read 1 Timothy 5:9-16)
Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted to them. Those who are idle, very seldom are only idle, they make mischief among neighbours, and sow discord among brethren. All believers are required to relieve those belonging to their families who are destitute, that the church may not be prevented from relieving such as are entirely destitute and friendless.
Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:17-25
(Read 1 Timothy 5:17-25)
Care must be taken that ministers are maintained. And those who are laborious in this work are worthy of double honour and esteem. It is their just due, as much as the reward of the labourer. The apostle charges Timothy solemnly to guard against partiality. We have great need to watch at all times, that we do not partake of other men's sins. Keep thyself pure, not only from doing the like thyself, but from countenancing it, or any way helping to it in others. The apostle also charges Timothy to take care of his health. As we are not to make our bodies masters, so neither slaves; but to use them so that they may be most helpful to us in the service of God. There are secret, and there are open sins: some men's sins are open before-hand, and going before unto judgment; some they follow after. God will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make known the counsels of all hearts. Looking forward to the judgment-day, let us all attend to our proper offices, whether in higher or lower stations, studying that the name and doctrine of God may never be blasphemed on our account.