1 Timothy 5:3-16

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).

1 Timothy 5:3 forms a single paragraph. It is usual to refer 1 Timothy 5:3 to the maintenance of widows, and 1 Timothy 5:9 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. 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.