1 Timothy 5 5

1 Timothy 5:5 kjv

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

1 Timothy 5:5 nkjv

Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

1 Timothy 5:5 niv

The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.

1 Timothy 5:5 esv

She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,

1 Timothy 5:5 nlt

Now a true widow, a woman who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. She prays night and day, asking God for his help.

1 Timothy 5 verses

1 Timothy 5 5 Meaning

The truly widowed woman is one who is left alone without husband and who places her hope and trust entirely in God, praying to Him continually. She has no earthly family support system to rely on, finding her sole reliance and source of comfort in the Lord.

1 Timothy 5 5 Context

First Timothy chapter 5 addresses practical instructions for church leadership and the conduct of believers. Within this chapter, Paul provides specific guidance on how to care for different groups within the church, including elders and widows. Verse 5 falls within the section dealing with the support and qualification of widows who are to be enrolled for church assistance. This context highlights the importance of identifying and distinguishing genuinely needy and godly widows from those who might take advantage of church resources. The instruction is to support those who are truly destitute and who demonstrate a life of faith and dependence on God.

1 Timothy 5 5 Word Analysis

• "Now she who is truly widowed":
  • "truly" (ἀληθῶς - alethōs): Emphasizes genuineness, reality, or truthfulness.
  • "widowed" (χήρα - chera): Specifically refers to a woman whose husband has died. It denotes a state of bereavement and potential vulnerability. The word emphasizes the state of being left alone by the death of a spouse.
• "and left alone":
  • "left alone" (καταλελειμμένη - kataleleimmenē): A passive participle meaning "left behind" or "abandoned." It reinforces the idea of isolation and lack of support.
• "has placed her hope":
  • "placed her hope" (ἤλπικεν - ēlpiken): Perfect tense of ἐλπίζω (elpizō), meaning "to hope, trust, expect." The perfect tense signifies a continuous state resulting from a past action; her hope is established and ongoing. It speaks of an active reliance.
• "in God":
  • "in God" (ἐν τῷ θεῷ - en tō theō): A prepositional phrase indicating the object and source of her trust and reliance.
• "and continues":
  • "continues" (προσμενεῖ - prosmenei): Future tense of προσμένω (prosmenō), meaning "to remain, abide, continue steadfastly." It indicates unwavering commitment and perseverance.
• "in supplications":
  • "supplications" (δεήσεσιν - deēsesin): Plural of δέησις (deēsis), meaning "petition, prayer, entreaty." It refers to earnest prayers, possibly involving specific requests or needs.
• "night and day":
  • "night and day" (νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας - nyktos kai hēmeras): An idiomatic expression signifying continuous or constant activity. It implies that her prayer life is uninterrupted.

Word Group Analysis

The phrase "truly widowed and left alone" distinguishes a specific category of widow for church care. It's not merely the absence of a husband, but a state of being without earthly support. This aligns with Old Testament laws and the societal realities where women often depended heavily on male relatives.

"has placed her hope in God and continues in supplications night and day" describes the character and spiritual disposition of such a widow. This demonstrates an active faith and persistent reliance on divine provision rather than human schemes or dependence on younger relatives who might be unwilling or unable to help. The active hope and continuous prayer are indicators of a mature faith developed through reliance on God in difficult circumstances.

1 Timothy 5 5 Bonus Section

The emphasis on "night and day" prayer for the widow suggests a life characterized by deep dependence and ongoing communion with God. This reflects a similar constant prayerfulness seen in figures like Anna (Luke 2:36-37), who served in the temple with fasting and prayers both night and day. It highlights that while the church had a role in caring for such women, their own spiritual diligence and trust in God were primary qualifications. The ability of a widow to rely solely on God speaks volumes about her inner spiritual resilience and understanding of divine provision, contrasting with those who might exploit the church’s benevolence.

1 Timothy 5 5 Commentary

This verse defines the truly qualified widow for church assistance not by her marital status alone, but by her steadfast faith and constant reliance on God. Her hope is fixed on the Lord, and this hope fuels an uninterrupted prayer life. This shows that the church’s responsibility towards widows extends to those who exhibit a consistent walk of faith, seeking their provisions and comfort from heaven. This was distinct from widows who had family available or who did not live a life centered on prayer and trust in God. This implies discernment is needed by the church leaders.