1 Timothy 5

King James Version

Full text for 1 Timothy Chapter 5

1¶ Rebuke 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.

3¶ Honour 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.

17¶ Let 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

This chapter instructs Timothy on proper conduct within the church, emphasizing respectful interaction with different age and gender groups. It provides detailed guidelines for the care of widows, distinguishing between those truly deserving of church support and those who should be cared for by family or encouraged to remarry. Furthermore, it outlines the honour due to well-ruling elders and stresses the importance of impartiality and purity in leadership.

Medium Summary

Paul instructs Timothy on how to treat various members of the congregation, advising him to address elders as fathers and younger women as sisters with all purity. A significant portion details the church's responsibility towards widows, specifying that only "widows indeed"—those who are desolate and devoted to God—should be supported, with family members having the primary duty to care for their own. Strict qualifications are given for enrolling widows, including age, marital status, and a history of good works. Younger widows are discouraged from church enrollment, being advised instead to marry, bear children, and manage their homes to avoid idleness and reproach. The chapter also mandates double honour for elders who rule well and labour in doctrine, and requires multiple witnesses for accusations against them. Timothy is charged to act without partiality, to be cautious in ordaining, and to maintain personal purity.

Long Summary

First Timothy chapter five begins with instructions on how to respectfully interact with different groups within the church: elders are to be entreated as fathers, younger men as brethren, elder women as mothers, and younger women as sisters with all purity. A substantial section is dedicated to the care of widows. True widows, who are desolate, trust in God, and are devoted to prayer, are to be honoured. However, the primary responsibility for supporting widows falls upon their own children or nephews, who are to demonstrate piety at home by requiting their parents. If a believer has widows in their family, they are to provide for them, ensuring the church is not burdened and can focus on supporting those who are truly "widows indeed." The chapter sets forth specific criteria for widows to be enrolled for church support: they must be at least sixty years old, have been the wife of one man, and be well-reported for good works such as raising children, showing hospitality, washing the saints' feet, and relieving the afflicted. Younger widows are explicitly advised against being enrolled, as they are prone to becoming wanton, remarrying, and thereby casting off their first faith. Such younger widows may also become idle, tattlers, and busybodies, speaking things they ought not. Therefore, Paul encourages younger women to marry, bear children, guide their households, and give no occasion for adversaries to speak reproachfully, noting that some have already strayed after Satan. Further instructions concern elders: those who rule well, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine, are deemed worthy of double honour, supported by scriptural principles regarding a labourer's reward. Accusations against an elder must be substantiated by two or three witnesses. Those who persist in sin are to be rebuked publicly, serving as a warning to others. Timothy is solemnly charged before God, Christ, and the elect angels to observe these instructions without partiality. He is also cautioned against hastily laying hands on anyone, lest he partake in their sins, and is exhorted to keep himself pure. The chapter concludes with a personal note advising Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach and frequent infirmities, and a general observation that some sins and good works are immediately apparent, while others become known later.

Core Concepts

  • Respectful AdmonitionThe chapter instructs Timothy to address different age and gender groups within the church with appropriate respect and gentleness, treating elders as fathers and younger women as sisters with purity.
  • Care for Widows IndeedA significant focus is on the church's responsibility to support truly desolate widows who trust in God and are devoted to prayer, while also emphasizing that family members should primarily care for their own.
  • Qualifications for Church SupportSpecific criteria are outlined for widows to be enrolled for church assistance, including being over sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, and possessing a proven record of good works.
  • Dangers of IdlenessThe text warns against younger widows who, if not married and engaged in household duties, may become idle, gossips, and busybodies, potentially leading them to stray from their faith.
  • Honour for Ruling EldersElders who govern well and diligently teach the word and doctrine are deemed worthy of "double honour," implying both respect and financial support, with scriptural backing.
  • Impartiality in JudgmentTimothy is solemnly charged to administer justice and observe these instructions without partiality or favoritism, ensuring fairness in all church matters.
  • Personal Purity and CautionAn exhortation for Timothy to maintain personal purity, to be cautious in ordaining individuals (laying on hands), and to avoid complicity in others' sins.