1 Timothy 5:3-25

Other Translations of 1 Timothy 5:3-25

King James Version

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; 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.

¹⁷ Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸ For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. ¹⁹ Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before before: or, under two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. ²¹ I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. ²² Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. ²³ Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. ²⁴ Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. ²⁵ Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

English Standard Version

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 ¹² and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. ¹³ Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. ¹⁴ So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. ¹⁵ For some have already strayed after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." ¹⁹ Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. ²¹ In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. ²² Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. ²³ (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) ²⁴ The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. ²⁵ So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

The Message

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. ¹² By breaking their word, they're liable to go from bad to worse, ¹³ frittering away their days on empty talk, gossip, and trivialities. ¹⁴ No, I'd rather the young widows go ahead and get married in the first place, have children, manage their homes, and not give critics any foothold for finding fault. ¹⁵ Some of them have already left and gone after Satan. ¹⁶ Any Christian woman who has widows in her family is responsible for them. They shouldn't be dumped on the church. The church has its hands full already with widows who need help.

¹⁷ Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ Scripture tells us, "Don't muzzle a working ox," and, "A worker deserves his pay." ¹⁹ Don't listen to a complaint against a leader that isn't backed up by two or three responsible witnesses. ²⁰ If anyone falls into sin, call that person on the carpet. Those who are inclined that way will know right off they can't get by with it. ²¹ God and Jesus and angels all back me up in these instructions. Carry them out without favoritism, without taking sides. ²² Don't appoint people to church leadership positions too hastily. If a person is involved in some serious sins, you don't want to become an unwitting accomplice. In any event, keep a close check on yourself. ²³ And don't worry too much about what the critics will say. Go ahead and drink a little wine, for instance; it's good for your digestion, good medicine for what ails you. ²⁴ The sins of some people are blatant and march them right into court. The sins of others don't show up until much later. ²⁵ The same with good deeds. Some you see right off, but none are hidden forever.

New King James Version

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, ¹² having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. ¹³ And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. ¹⁴ Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. ¹⁵ For some have already turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." ¹⁹ Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. ²¹ I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. ²² Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure. ²³ No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. ²⁴ Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. ²⁵ Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

New Living Translation

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. ¹² Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge. ¹³ And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people's business and talking about things they shouldn't. ¹⁴ So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them. ¹⁵ For I am afraid that some of them have already gone astray and now follow Satan. ¹⁶ If a woman who is a believer has relatives who are widows, she must take care of them and not put the responsibility on the church. Then the church can care for the widows who are truly alone.

¹⁷ Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain." And in another place, "Those who work deserve their pay!" ¹⁹ Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others. ²¹ I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone. ²² Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. ²³ Don't drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often. ²⁴ Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. ²⁵ In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.