51 Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers: 2 To the older women as to mothers, to the younger as to sisters, with a clean heart.
3 Give honour to widows who are truly widows. 4 But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God. 5 Now she who is truly a widow and without family puts her hope in God, giving herself to prayer day and night. 6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she is living. 7 Give orders to this effect, so that no evil may be said of anyone. 8 If anyone has no care for his family and those in his house, he is false to the faith, and is worse than one who has no faith. 9 Let no woman be numbered among the widows who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the wife of one man, 10 And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works. 11 But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:1-11
Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:1-2
(Read 1 Timothy 5:1-2)
Respect must be paid to the dignity of years and place. The younger, if faulty, must be rebuked, not as desirous to find fault with them, but as willing to make the best of them. There is need of much meekness and care in reproving those who deserve reproof.
Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3-8
(Read 1 Timothy 5:3-8)
Honour widows that are widows indeed, relieve them, and maintain them. It is the duty of children, if their parents are in need, and they are able to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power. Widowhood is a desolate state; but let widows trust in the Lord, and continue in prayer. All who live in pleasure, are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses and sins. Alas, what numbers there are of this description among nominal Christians, even to the latest period of life! If any men or women do not maintain their poor relations, they in effect deny the faith. If they spend upon their lusts and pleasures, what should maintain their families, they have denied the faith, and are worse than infidels. If professors of the gospel give way to any corrupt principle or conduct, they are worse than those who do not profess to believe the doctrines of grace.
Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9-16
(Read 1 Timothy 5:9-16)
Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted to them. Those who are idle, very seldom are only idle, they make mischief among neighbours, and sow discord among brethren. All believers are required to relieve those belonging to their families who are destitute, that the church may not be prevented from relieving such as are entirely destitute and friendless.