1 Rebuke not an elder sharply, but exhort [him] as a father, younger [men] as brethren, 2 elder women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honour widows who are really widows; 4 but if any widow have children or descendants, let them learn first to be pious as regards their own house, and to render a return on their side to [their] parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who [is] a widow indeed, and is left alone, has put [her] hope in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that lives in habits of self-indulgence is dead [while] living. 7 And these things enjoin, that they may be irreproachable. 8 But if any one does not provide for his own, and specially for those of [his] house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than the unbeliever. 9 Let a widow be put upon the list, being of not less than sixty years, [having been] wife of one man, 10 borne witness to in good works, if she have brought up children, if she have exercised hospitality, if she have washed saints' feet, if she have imparted relief to the distressed, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11 But younger widows decline; for when they grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 being guilty, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And, at the same time, they learn also [to be] idle, going about to people's houses; and not only idle, but also gossipers and meddlers, speaking things not becoming. 14 I will therefore that the younger marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary in respect of reproach. 15 For already some have turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or woman have widows, let them impart relief to them, and let not the assembly be charged, that it may impart relief to those [that are] widows indeed. 17 Let the elders who take the lead [among the saints] well be esteemed worthy of double honour, specially those labouring in word and teaching; 18 for the scripture says, Thou shalt not muzzle an ox that treadeth out corn, and, The workman [is] worthy of his hire. 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses. 20 Those that sin convict before all, that the rest also may have fear. 21 I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that thou keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing by favour. 22 Lay hands quickly on no man, nor partake in others' sins. Keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer only water, but use a little wine on account of thy stomach and thy frequent illnesses. 24 Of some men the sins are manifest beforehand, going before to judgment, and some also they follow after. 25 In like manner good works also are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.
1 Timothy 5 Darby Translation
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Cross references (25)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Leviticus 19:32; 1 Peter 5:5–6; Titus 2:2; Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 5:1
- 2 1 Timothy 4:12; Philippians 4:8; Matthew 12:50; 1 Timothy 5:3; John 19:26–27
- 3 Deuteronomy 27:19; Acts 6:1; Deuteronomy 14:29; Deuteronomy 10:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:6
- 4 Ephesians 6:1–3; John 19:26–27; Matthew 15:4–6; Genesis 47:12; Mark 7:11–13
- 5 1 Timothy 5:3; Luke 2:37; 1 Corinthians 7:32; Luke 18:1; 1 Timothy 5:16
- 6 James 5:5; Revelation 3:1; Revelation 18:7; Luke 15:24; Luke 15:32
- 7 1 Timothy 4:11; Titus 2:15; 2 Timothy 4:1; Titus 1:13; 1 Timothy 1:3
- 8 Galatians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 12:14; Luke 11:11–13; Isaiah 58:7; Titus 1:16
- 9 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 5:11; Luke 2:36–37; 1 Timothy 5:3–4; 1 Corinthians 7:39–40
- 10 1 Timothy 6:18; Titus 3:8; Acts 9:36; Titus 2:7; Titus 3:1
- 11 1 Timothy 5:14; Hosea 13:6; James 5:5; Isaiah 3:16; 1 Corinthians 7:39–40
- 12 Galatians 1:6; James 3:1; 1 Peter 4:17; 1 Corinthians 11:34; Revelation 2:4–5
- 13 Proverbs 20:19; 2 Thessalonians 3:6–11; Proverbs 31:27; Luke 10:7; Acts 20:30
- 14 Titus 2:5; 1 Timothy 6:1; Proverbs 31:27–29; Titus 2:8; 1 Corinthians 7:8–9
- 15 2 Peter 2:2; Jude 4–5; 2 Peter 2:20–22; 1 Timothy 1:20; 1 John 2:19
- 16 1 Timothy 5:3–5; 1 Timothy 5:8
- 17 Hebrews 13:17; Galatians 6:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13; Luke 10:7; Hebrews 13:7
- 18 Deuteronomy 25:4; 1 Corinthians 9:14; 1 Corinthians 9:7–10; Luke 10:7; Matthew 10:10
- 19 Matthew 18:16; Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1; Titus 1:6; Deuteronomy 17:6
- 20 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Timothy 1:20; Deuteronomy 13:11; Titus 1:13; Acts 5:11
- 21 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:13; 2 Peter 2:4; 2 Corinthians 5:16; 2 Timothy 2:14
- 22 Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 3:10; 1 Timothy 3:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; Acts 6:6
- 23 Psalm 104:15; Proverbs 31:4–7; 1 Timothy 4:4; 1 Timothy 3:8; 1 Timothy 3:3
- 24 2 Timothy 4:10; Acts 8:18; 2 Peter 2:20–21; Acts 5:1–11; Galatians 5:19–21
- 25 Proverbs 10:9; Luke 11:33; Psalm 37:5–6; Matthew 6:3–6; Matthew 5:16
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
Many consider that their own virtue is sufficient for their salvation, and if they duly regulate their own life, that nothing further is wanting to save them.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 13 (1889)
For she had "been the wife of one man," had requited her parents, had guided her house piously, was "well-reported of for good works," had "brought up children," as often travailing in birth of them as she saw them swerving from Thee.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
Hear even Paul pronouncing this widowhood blessed, and saying, "Now she that is a widow indeed and desolate, trusteth in the Lord." Because such an one will appear more approved, evincing as she doth greater patience.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
Despise not therefore them that eat, and because of the weakness of their bodies partake of food: nor yet blame these who use a little wine for their stomach's sake and their often infirmities: and neither condemn the men as sinners, nor abhor the flesh as strange food; for the Apostle knows some of this sort, when he says: …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
The apostle, for instance, in his charge to Timothy, associates the angels with them in the words, "I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels." We are not for alienating the angels from the rest of creation, and yet, it is argued, we do not allow of their being reckoned with the Father and …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 8 (1895)