1 Timothy 5:3-16

Instructions for the Church

3 Honor widows d who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn e to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for f this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She g who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and h continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but i she who is self-indulgent is j dead even while she lives. 7 k Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for l members of his household, he has m denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been n the wife of one husband, 1 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has n shown hospitality, o has washed the feet of the saints, has p cared for the afflicted, and has q devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when r their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also s gossips and t busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have u younger widows marry, bear children, v manage their households, and w give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 x For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those y who are truly widows.

  1. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:5
    She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
    1 Timothy 5:16
    If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 15:4 - 6
    For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.
    Mark 7:10 - 13
    For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.
    Ephesians 6:1 - 2
    Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
    Genesis 45:9 - 11
    Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry.
  3. Cross References
    1 Timothy 2:3
    This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.
  4. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:3
    Honor widows who are truly widows.
    1 Timothy 5:16
    If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
  5. Cross References
    Luke 2:37
    And then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
    Luke 18:1 - 5
    And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
  6. Cross References
    James 5:5
    You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
    Ezekiel 16:49
    Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.
  7. Cross References
    Revelation 3:1
    And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
  8. Cross References
    1 Timothy 4:11
    Command and teach these things.
    1 Timothy 6:2
    Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
  9. Cross References
    Galatians 6:10
    So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
  10. Cross References
    Revelation 2:13
    'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
    2 Timothy 3:5
    Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
    Titus 1:16
    They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
    2 Peter 2:1
    But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
    Revelation 3:8
    'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
  11. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:2
    Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.
  12. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:9
    Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband.
  13. Cross References
    Genesis 18:4
    Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.
  14. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:16
    If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
  15. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:18
    They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.
  16. Cross References
    Revelation 18:3
    For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.
    Revelation 18:7
    As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, 'I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.
    Revelation 18:9
    And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning.
  17. Cross References
    3 John 1:10
    So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
  18. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 3:11
    For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
    1 Peter 4:15
    But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:9
    But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
  20. Cross References
    Titus 2:5
    To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
  21. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:1
    Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
    Titus 2:5
    To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
    Titus 2:8
    And sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
  22. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:20
    Among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
  23. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:3
    Honor widows who are truly widows.
    1 Timothy 5:5
    She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.