1 Timothy 5 4

1 Timothy 5:4 kjv

But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

1 Timothy 5:4 nkjv

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.

1 Timothy 5:4 niv

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

1 Timothy 5:4 esv

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.

1 Timothy 5:4 nlt

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.

1 Timothy 5 verses

1 Timothy 5 4 Meaning

This verse instructs believers on how to properly honor and care for widows within the Christian community. It specifically focuses on widows who are truly alone and have no other family support, stating that they should be honored. The implication is that such widows have a special claim on the church's resources and attention because of their vulnerable situation.

1 Timothy 5 4 Context

This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Timothy 5 that addresses the proper conduct and support within the church. Paul is giving instructions to Timothy, a young leader, on how to manage the church in Ephesus. Specifically, chapter 5 deals with instructions on dealing with older men, older women, younger men, younger women, and finally, widows. This verse directly addresses how the church should minister to widows, distinguishing between those who have family support and those who are truly destitute and alone. The cultural context of the Roman world often left elderly, widowed women without family support in vulnerable positions. The early church took seriously the mandate to care for such individuals as an expression of their faith.

1 Timothy 5 4 Word Analysis

• ei tis (εἴ τις): "if anyone," "if any." This is a conditional particle introducing a possibility.
• chei (χει): "has" (from chō, a primary verb, to have). Indicates possession or relationship.
• oikian (οἰκίαν): "household," "home," "family." Refers to a domestic unit and its members.
• echein (ἔχειν): "to have," "to possess," "to hold." In this context, it means having or supporting family members.
• periouSian (περιούσιαν): "property," "possessions," "estate," "goods," "superfluity." It refers to resources or assets that could be used for support.
• epilegVstai (ἐπιλογέσθαι): "to choose for oneself," "to select," "to choose out." Implies a conscious decision or preference.
• tois oikeiOis (τοῖς οἰκείοις): "one's own relatives," "one's own family members," "kinsfolk." Refers to immediate family who are responsible for one another.
• asHkHsan (ἀσκήσαν): "to practice," "to exercise," "to train oneself." Implies the habitual practice or duty of caring for family.
• proThsKenhsin (προσήκησιν): "approaching," "concerning," "regarding." Here, it denotes the relationship or duty owed.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "If anyone has a household": This phrase, "ei tis chei oikian" (εἴ τις ἔχει οἰκίαν), sets up a condition concerning one's domestic or familial responsibilities. It speaks to those who are not alone in their living situation but have dependents or those who ought to depend on them.
• "and supports [them]": The inclusion of "echein periousian" (ἔχειν περιούσιαν) signifies that the individual has the means, the resources, or the property to provide for these dependents. It’s about having the capacity to support.
• "let them learn first to show piety to their own family": "epilegVstai tois oikeiOis asHkHsan proThsKenhsin" (ἐπιλογέσθαι τοῖς οἰκείοις ἀσκήσαν προσήκησιν) highlights a primary duty. Before looking outwards to broader acts of charity (implied as supporting certain widows), the established obligation to one's own household and blood relatives is paramount. This establishes a hierarchy of responsibility.

1 Timothy 5 4 Bonus Section

The Greek word "periousian" (περιούσιαν) can be understood not just as material possessions, but also as having dependents or a household unit for whom one is responsible. This broadens the understanding of having the capacity to support. The verse, therefore, contrasts those who have such familial support with those who are truly widows (mentioned in verse 3) and lack any such support system. This distinction is crucial for understanding who the church is primarily called to support directly versus who should first be supported by their own family. The underlying principle connects to God’s provision and humanity's response in caring for the vulnerable within their God-ordained structures of relationship, beginning with the family.

1 Timothy 5 4 Commentary

This verse emphasizes the principle of prioritized responsibility within Christian ethics. The immediate family has the primary obligation to care for its vulnerable members. If a person has the means and the family connection, their first duty is to support their own kin, particularly parents or grandparents in their old age and need. This is not merely a suggestion but a learned practice and an expressed piety that reflects one’s understanding of familial duty. The church's role in supporting widows is secondary to the family's responsibility, although the church has a distinct role for widows who truly have no one else.

• Practical implication: Individuals are to first ensure their own parents or needy elderly relatives are provided for before extending significant personal resources to church initiatives or other needy individuals outside their direct family responsibility, provided they have the capacity.