1 Timothy 5:1-11

Other Translations of 1 Timothy 5:1-11

King James Version

Responsibilities toward Others

5¹ Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; ² The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

³ Honour widows that are widows indeed. ⁴ But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety piety: or, kindness 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, house: or, kindred 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;

English Standard Version

Responsibilities toward Others

5¹ Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

³ Honor widows who are truly widows. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 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, ⁶ but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. ⁷ 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 members of his household, he has 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 the wife of one husband,Or a woman of one man ¹⁰ and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹ But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry

The Message

Responsibilities toward Others

5¹ Don't be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk to him as you would your own father, and to the younger men as your brothers. ² Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother, and the younger women as sisters.

³ Take care of widows who are destitute. ⁴ If a widow has family members to take care of her, let them learn that religion begins at their own doorstep and that they should pay back with gratitude some of what they have received. This pleases God immensely. ⁵ You can tell a legitimate widow by the way she has put all her hope in God, praying to him constantly for the needs of others as well as her own. ⁶ But a widow who exploits people's emotions and pocketbooks - well, there's nothing to her. ⁷ Tell these things to the people so that they will do the right thing in their extended family. ⁸ Anyone who neglects to care for family members in need repudiates the faith. That's worse than refusing to believe in the first place. ⁹ Sign some widows up for the special ministry of offering assistance. They will in turn receive support from the church. They must be over sixty, married only once, ¹⁰ and have a reputation for helping out with children, strangers, tired Christians, the hurt and troubled. ¹¹ Don't put young widows on this list. No sooner will they get on than they'll want to get off, obsessed with wanting to get a husband rather than serving Christ in this way.

New King James Version

Responsibilities toward Others

5¹ Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger as sisters, with all purity.

³ Honor widows who are really widows. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. ⁵ Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. ⁷ And these things command, that they may be blameless. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ⁹ Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, ¹⁰ well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. ¹¹ But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

New Living Translation

Responsibilities toward Others

5¹ Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. ² Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.

³ Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. ⁴ But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God. ⁵ Now a true widow, a woman who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. She prays night and day, asking God for his help. ⁶ But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives. ⁷ Give these instructions to the church so that no one will be open to criticism. ⁸ But those who won't care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. ⁹ A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband. ¹⁰ She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good? ¹¹ The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry.