1 Timothy 5

¹Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as a father. Treat younger men as brothers,[#After a few words of general advice based on common sense (1 Tm 5:1–2), the letter takes up, in its several aspects, the subject of widows. The first responsibility for their care belongs to the family circle, not to the Christian community as such (1 Tm 5:3–4, 16). The widow left without the aid of relatives may benefit the community by her prayer, and the community should consider her material sustenance its responsibility (1 Tm 5:5–8). Widows who wish to work directly for the Christian community should not be accepted unless they are well beyond the probability of marriage, i.e., sixty years of age, married only once, and with a reputation for good works (1 Tm 5:9–10). Younger widows are apt to be troublesome and should be encouraged to remarry (1 Tm 5:11–15).; #Lv 19:32; Ti 2:2.]

²older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters with complete purity.

Rules for Widows.

³Honor widows who are truly widows.

⁴But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these first learn to perform their religious duty to their own family and to make recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing to God.

⁵The real widow, who is all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.[#Jer 49:11; Lk 2:37; 18:7.]

⁶But the one who is self-indulgent is dead while she lives.

⁷Command this, so that they may be irreproachable.

⁸And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years old, married only once,

¹⁰with a reputation for good works, namely, that she has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the holy ones, helped those in distress, involved herself in every good work.[#Jn 13:14; Heb 13:2.]

¹¹But exclude younger widows, for when their sensuality estranges them from Christ, they want to marry

¹²and will incur condemnation for breaking their first pledge.

¹³And furthermore, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers but gossips and busybodies as well, talking about things that ought not to be mentioned.[#2 Thes 3:11.]

¹⁴So I would like younger widows to marry, have children, and manage a home, so as to give the adversary no pretext for maligning us.[#1 Cor 7:9.]

¹⁵For some have already turned away to follow Satan.

¹⁶If any woman believer has widowed relatives, she must assist them; the church is not to be burdened, so that it will be able to help those who are truly widows.[#: some early Latin manuscripts and Fathers have a masculine here, while most later manuscripts and patristic quotations conflate the two readings, perhaps to avoid unfair restriction to women.]

Rules for Presbyters.

¹⁷Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching.[#1 Cor 16:18; Phil 2:29.]

¹⁸For the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing,” and, “A worker deserves his pay.”[#Dt 25:4; 1 Cor 9:8 / Mt 10:10; Lk 10:7.]

¹⁹Do not accept an accusation against a presbyter unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.[#Dt 17:6; 19:15; Mt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1.]

²⁰Reprimand publicly those who do sin, so that the rest also will be afraid.[#Gal 2:14; Eph 5:11; 2 Tm 4:2; Ti 1:9, 13.]

²¹I charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to keep these rules without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

²²Do not lay hands too readily on anyone, and do not share in another’s sins. Keep yourself pure.[#4:14; 2 Tm 1:6.]

²³Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

²⁴Some people’s sins are public, preceding them to judgment; but other people are followed by their sins.

²⁵Similarly, good works are also public; and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.