1 Timothy
Chapter 5
Overview
Timothy is caring for a community of believers where faith must take practical form—in family life, shared resources, and fair leadership. This chapter explains how people of different ages should be treated, which widows truly need the community’s support, and how leaders should be honored or corrected. The advice is both compassionate and realistic: kindness needs good judgment, especially when money, reputation, and responsibility are involved. The chapter closes by warning Timothy not to make quick decisions about people, since character, like fruit on a tree, does not always become visible at once.
1Do not speak harshly to an older man. Instead, appeal to him as you would to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with complete purity in your conduct toward them.
3Honor and care for widows who are truly without support.
4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to put their devotion to God into practice by caring for their own family. In this way they can repay their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
5A woman who is truly a widow and has been left alone has placed her hope in God. She continues asking for his help and praying night and day.
6But a widow who lives only for pleasure is dead inside even while she is alive.
7Give these instructions so that the people concerned may live beyond reasonable criticism.
8Anyone who does not care for relatives, especially members of their own household, has rejected what the faith teaches and is worse than someone who does not believe.
9A widow may be placed on the community’s support list only if she is at least sixty years old and has been faithful to her husband.
10She must be known for doing good: raising children, welcoming strangers, humbly washing the feet of God’s people, helping those in distress, and devoting herself to every kind of good work.
11Do not put younger widows on this list. When their desires pull them away from their commitment to the Messiah, they want to marry,
12and they bring judgment on themselves because they have broken their first pledge.
13They may also get into the habit of being idle and going from house to house. They become not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things they should not discuss.
14So I want younger widows to marry, have children, manage their homes, and give the opponent no opportunity to insult the community.
15Some have already turned away to follow Satan.
16If a believing woman has widows in her family, she should support them. The community of believers should not have to carry that burden, so it can support widows who are truly alone.
17The elders who lead the community well should be considered worthy of generous honor and support, especially those who work hard at speaking and teaching.
18Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is threshing grain,” and, “A worker deserves to be paid.”
19Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
20Correct leaders who continue doing wrong in front of everyone, so that the others will take the warning seriously.
21Before God, the Messiah Jesus, and the angels God has chosen, I solemnly command you to follow these instructions without judging anyone in advance or doing anything out of favoritism.
22Do not be quick to place your hands on anyone to appoint that person as a leader. Do not share responsibility for other people’s sins. Keep yourself morally pure.
23Stop drinking only water. Because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses, use a little wine as well.
24Some people’s sins are obvious and reach judgment ahead of them. The sins of others become clear only afterward.
25In the same way, good works are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.