1 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; 2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. 3 Honor widows who are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. 6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work. 11 But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 13 Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. 15 For already some have turned away after Satan. 16 If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed. 17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. 21 I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure. 23 Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. 25 In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.
1 Timothy · World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
1 Timothy 5 World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (1)
- "World English Bible" is a trademark of eBible.org; the text is shown unaltered.
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)