1 Timothy 5:3 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

Widows. The space devoted to widows indicates the existence of a special difficulty in Asia. Paul gives Timothy definite instructions. (a) Deserving widows really left alone should be maintained from Church funds (1 Timothy 5:3). (b) The funds, however, must not be burdened by widows with descendants or friends capable of assisting. Descendants must make it their first charge to fulfil the family obligation involved. Otherwise they disown the Christian way of life, and acknowledge a standard lower than that of unbelievers (1 Timothy 5:4; 1 Timothy 5:8; 1 Timothy 5:16). (c) The mark of a true widow is that, avoiding dissipation, which is spiritual death (cf. Revelation 3:1), she has forsaken domestic ties (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:33 f.) for the wholehearted service of God (1 Timothy 5:5 f.; contrast 1 Timothy 5:11 f.). (d) None should be placed on the official roll who is not (i) sixty years old, (ii) of proved self-restraint, (iii) of established reputation for good works (1 Timothy 5:9 f.). (e) Young widows should not be included, because (i) they may wish to remarry, and so violate their troth to Christ; (ii) in their visiting they may become busybodies. Since, then, they cannot control their natural instincts, let them marry again and attend to household cares (so 1 Corinthians 7:8 f.). Actual experience shows this to be wise (1 Timothy 5:11-15).

1 Timothy 5:3-16 forms a single paragraph. It is usual to refer 1 Timothy 5:3-8 to the maintenance of widows, and 1 Timothy 5:9-16 to the selection of an order within the Church's official ministry. Though the maintained widows doubtless rendered some service, this sub-division is improbable, because (a) the subject of maintenance is still prominent in 1 Timothy 5:16, (b) the same word widow would not bear two different meanings within a few verses, (c) a minimum age-limit of sixty is more natural in charity than in service.

1 Timothy 5:3. honour: as context proves, embraces the idea of maintain.

1 Timothy 5:4. grandchildren: the old meaning of nephews (AV).

1 Timothy 5:7. these things: the points made in 1 Timothy 5:3-6. The but of 1 Timothy 5:8 shows the descendants to be included in those to be without reproach.

1 Timothy 5:9. wife, etc., 1 Timothy 3:2 * (mutatis mutandis).

1 Timothy 5:10. children: whether her own or adopted. Care of orphans ranked among the good works encouraged by Judaism (Edersheim, Jewish Social Life, p. 138).

1 Timothy 5:14. adversary: i.e. human opponents.

Related Commentaries of 1 Timothy 5:3

1 Timothy 5:3-16

3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew pietya at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house,b he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

10 Well 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.

11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 And 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.

14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

16 If 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.