1 Timothy 5:3 kjv
Honour widows that are widows indeed.
1 Timothy 5:3 nkjv
Honor widows who are really widows.
1 Timothy 5:3 niv
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.
1 Timothy 5:3 esv
Honor widows who are truly widows.
1 Timothy 5:3 nlt
Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her.
1 Timothy 5 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 5:3 | Honor widows who are widows indeed. | Direct Command |
| Luke 14:13 | When you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. | Parallels generousity |
| Matt 25:40 | Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. | Connecting actions to Christ |
| James 1:27 | Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. | Defines true religion |
| Deut 10:18 | He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. | Old Testament command |
| Ps 68:5 | A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. | God's character |
| Ps 146:9 | The Lord watches over the foreigner and upholds the fatherless and the widow, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. | God's protection |
| Isa 1:17 | learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. | Prophet's exhortation |
| Acts 6:1-3 | In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained about the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 The Twelve called all the disciples to them and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men who are well known, full of the Spirit and wisdom, to whom we can give this duty.” | Practical application |
| Acts 9:36-41 | In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek, Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became ill and died... 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning to Dorcas, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41 Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the meeting of the saints and widows and presented her to them alive. | Example of honorable service |
| 1 Thess 4:11 | and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you. | Emphasis on proper conduct |
| Rom 12:8 | If your ministry is to give, give all out; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. | Ministry of giving |
| Prov 31:20 | She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. | Virtuous widowhood |
| Luke 21:2-4 | He saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their offerings out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in everything—all she had to live on.” | Value of sacrifice |
| John 13:34-35 | “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” | Basis of Christian love |
| 1 Cor 7:8 | Now to the unmarried and to the widows I say: It is good for them to remain as they are, even as I am. | Counsel to widows |
| 1 Cor 7:39 | A wife is bound to her husband as long as he is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must do so in the Lord. | Marriage and widowhood |
| Gal 6:10 | Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. | Doing good to believers |
| Matt 15:6 | you annul the word of God for the sake of your tradition. | Warning against human tradition |
| Eph 6:1-3 | Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— | Honor in family relations |
1 Timothy 5 verses
1 Timothy 5 3 Meaning
The apostle Paul instructs Timothy to treat a widowed woman with genuine honor if she is a widow indeed. This honor extends to providing for her needs, particularly if she is destitute. The primary condition for this esteemed treatment is that she is truly alone in her widowhood and without sufficient support from family.
1 Timothy 5 3 Context
First Timothy 5 is a pastoral epistle focused on guiding Timothy in leading the church at Ephesus. This chapter provides instructions on how to handle church members, including elders, younger men, younger women, and widows. Specifically, this verse is part of a section dealing with the care and qualifications of widows within the church community. The economic and social realities of the first century meant that many widows lacked the support of male relatives, making them vulnerable. The church was tasked with providing for such genuine needs, demonstrating the practical outworking of Christian love and commitment. Paul addresses the specific case of widows to establish order and ensure that genuine needs are met without becoming a burden or encouraging idleness.
1 Timothy 5 3 Word analysis
Honor (τιμὴν - timēn): This is the accusative case of τιμή (timē), meaning "honor," "value," "price," or "respect." In this context, it refers to rendering proper respect, consideration, and value. It implies more than just a mental acknowledgment; it suggests outward actions that demonstrate this respect, including practical support. This word is used elsewhere to signify the honor due to parents (Eph 6:2) and the honor Christ receives (1 Pet 1:7).
Widows (χήρας - chēras): This is the accusative plural of χήρα (chēra), meaning "widow." It refers to women whose husbands have died and are thus without their primary male protector and provider within the patriarchal society of that time.
Who are (τὰς ὄντως - tas ontōs): Literally "the truly" or "the indeed." This emphatic phrase modifies "widows," stressing the authenticity of their widowhood in the sense of being truly without other means of support. It's crucial for distinguishing genuine need from those who might present themselves as needy but have other available provisions.
Widows indeed (ἐν χήρᾳ - en chēra): This construction uses the preposition ἐν (en - in) with the dative singular noun χήρᾳ (chēra - widowhood). It emphasizes a state or condition of being in widowhood. The repetition of the root word reinforces the concept of a true and unassuaged state of widowhood, often implying a lack of family support or personal means.
Honor widows (χήρας τιμᾷν - chēras timān): The infinitive "to honor" is directly governed by the implied instruction of caring for, valuing, and respecting. It's an active imperative of honoring, involving tangible actions of support.
Widows indeed (ὄντως χήρας - ontōs chēras): This emphasizes genuine need. It is a conditional statement requiring authenticity in the state of being a widow who is genuinely without familial or financial backing. This prevents the church’s resources from being misused.
Provide for them (διατρέφεσθαι - diatrophesthai): This is a deponent infinitive of διατρέφω (diatrephō), meaning "to nourish," "to sustain," or "to support." It indicates a providing of food, clothing, shelter, and maintenance. It signifies a sustained effort of care rather than a one-time act.
1 Timothy 5 3 Bonus Section
The distinction of "widows indeed" has led to the establishment of specific ministries within the early church, as seen in Acts 6 where "daily distribution" concerned the neglect of Grecian widows. This demonstrates that establishing procedures for charity was a practical necessity to ensure fairness and proper stewardship. The concept of honor also relates to a dignity that should be maintained for these women, not just a handout. Their continued support was a testament to the church’s spiritual maturity and its embodiment of Christ's love. The subsequent verses in 1 Timothy 5 go on to discuss criteria for placing widows on a formal list for support, indicating a structured approach beyond this initial commendation.
1 Timothy 5 3 Commentary
Paul’s instruction to “honor widows who are widows indeed” is a foundational principle for the church’s responsibility towards vulnerable members. The term "honor" signifies treating them with profound respect and dignity. The qualification "widows indeed" points to those who are genuinely bereft of support—lacking living husbands, children, or extended family who could provide for their basic needs. This emphasizes that the church's resources were to be directed towards authentic need, distinguishing genuine helplessness from those who might misuse charitable provisions. The underlying societal context of the first century made widows particularly susceptible to destitution, as women often lacked independent means of income or inheritance protection without a male head of household. Thus, this command reflects the compassionate heart of Christianity and its commitment to social justice within the community of faith. It requires discernment to ensure the provision goes to those truly in need, reflecting God's own care for the vulnerable.