1 Timothy 5:3

χήρας τίμα κ.τ.λ. Honour as widows those that are widows indeed.

ἡ ὄντως χήρα is a bona fide widow, i.e. one who is alone in the world without husband or grown-up children to support her. This is apparent from the next verse. The force of τίμα has been disputed; but although τιμᾷν does not as a rule carry the idea of material support, it does not exclude it (cp. διπλῆς τιμῆς in 1 Timothy 5:17 and St Matthew 15:5 ff.), and it is plain that to an ὄντως χήρα due honour and respect would necessarily involve such assistance. In the earliest days of the Church the support of widows was counted a Christian duty, as the narrative of Acts 6:1 ff. shews. Cp. Ignat. Polyc. 4 χῆραι μὴ�.