5:3 Honor In this context, the Greek word used here, timaō, describes showing respect with financial support.

widows A woman whose husband has died and who has no male relative (e.g., a father or son) to support her. Paul provided Timothy with criteria for identifying needy widows (vv. 3–16). The reference to “genuine” or “true” widows assumes that there was some dispute regarding the qualifications and responsibilities of widows. Paul addresses this issue throughout this passage (vv. 1–16).

5:4 pay back recompense to their parents To provide elderly parents with the support they once provided for their children. Paul encourages such good works because they please God.

5:5 widow See note on 1 Tim 5:3. These widows depend on God (compare Luke 2:36–38), and their persistence in prayer provides an example for believers (compare Luke 18:1–8).

petitions See note on 1 Tim 2:1.

5:6 dead even though she lives This kind of widow is characterized by “spiritual” death (i.e., an ignorance of God, His values, and life).

5:7 irreproachable See note on 3:2.

5:8 household See note on 3:4.

is worse than an unbeliever Paul’s statement here suggests that even unbelievers—those without faith in Christ and the Spirit of God—support those in their household.

5:9 a widow See note on v. 3.

the list Probably a record of the needy widows supported by the church. This list may imply that widows held an office in the early church and, possibly, the existence of an order of widows. The notion of enrolling widows to a list and the established qualifications for widows supports this view. Alternatively, it is possible that the list’s purpose was not to enroll widows to an office in the church, but to distinguish real widows (v. 3) from younger widows who are discussed in vv. 11–16.

5:10 good works Not the means to salvation, but evidence of it (see 2:10 and note; v. 25). Throughout Romans, Paul denotes faith as something that requires action (see Rom 3:20, 28; Gal 3:10–11).

hospitality The Greek word used here, xenodocheō, refers to the extension of friendship to a stranger or visitor.

washed the feet of the saints An act of humility and service among believers.

Humility Devotional

saints The Greek word used here, hagioi, refers to those who are set apart or who belong to God. Paul applies this term to all believers, not just a select few (see Eph 1:1; Phil 1:1).

Hagioi/Hagios Word Study

5:11 younger widows Refers to widows younger than age 60 and still eligible for remarriage (compare 1 Tim 5:9).

physical desires lead them away from Christ See v. 14 and note; compare 1 Cor 7:34 and note.

5:12 former pledge May refer to either a vow of chastity or, more likely, commitment to the Christian faith.

5:13 they learn to be idle These widows neglected the responsibilities of real widows (1 Tim 5:3–10). They have ceased to carry out their work in the household (which was a key value for Graeco-Roman society), disrupted other house churches, and spread gossip. Paul is trying to stop any behavior that could become a hindrance to the gospel, in terms of the church’s reputation or function.

busybodies See note on 2 Thess 3:11.

5:14 to marry Several verses earlier (1 Tim 5:11), Paul takes issue with the young widows’ desire to remarry—apparently because it exceeded the devotion they showed to Christ. As a result, these women were not qualified to be enrolled as real widows and therefore supported by the church (vv. 7–8, 16; compare note on v. 9). Since they could not be counted among the real widows, Paul urges them to fulfill their desire to remarry in hopes that it will restore their devotion to Christ, as well as the reputation of the church.

to bear children Paul advises younger widows to have children to avoid turning away from the faith and following after Satan (v. 15). See note on 2:15.

to manage a household See note on 3:4.

5:15 Satan Paul regards evil forces as the source of false teaching (4:1), which also manifests itself in false conduct. Here, to follow Satan means to abandon Christian values and responsibilities—especially those given to widows—because of the influence of false teaching.

5:17 elders Refers to mature believers responsible for managing and teaching in the church. Paul appointed elders in the local church and advised Titus do the same (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). Like overseers, elders nourish and protect the believers in the church community (see Acts 20:28 and note; 1 Tim 3:2 and note).

Episkopos and Presbyteros Word Study

double honor This refers to an adequate compensation for the work of the ministry. In the context of v. 3, this honor included financial support from the community.

5:18 not muzzle an ox while it is threshing A quotation from Deut 25:4, also used in 1 Cor 9:9. The ox must be allowed to eat from the place where it works. Likewise, the elder must be allowed to receive financial support from the people to whom he ministers.

The worker is worthy of his wages A quotation from Luke 10:7. Here Paul cites Jesus’ words alongside Scripture. Jesus also advised His disciples to rely on the support of those to whom they minister.

5:19 elder See note on 1 Tim 5:17.

on the evidence of two or three witnesses A partial quotation from Deut 19:15. This practice protected people from false accusations. Like Jesus, Paul applies this practice to church discipline (Matt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1).

5:20 those who sin Refers to elders who fail to live by the standards detailed by Paul (1 Tim 3:1–7; Titus 1:6–9).

in the presence of all Paul advises Timothy to rebuke such an elder in the presence of the entire church community. The public nature of the rebuke coincides with the public nature of the elder’s ministry. It also serves as a warning to the rest of the church.

5:21 elect angels Refers to angels who are faithful to God. Paul probably includes the elect angels as witnesses as a way of emphasizing the serious nature of his charge to Timothy.

New Testament Terms for Unseen Divine Beings

Angels in the Bible Table

partiality The Greek word used here, prosklisin, refers to an unfavorable inclination toward someone or something. Paul cautions Timothy not to discipline an elder (or anyone else) according to partiality. All accusations must be verified (1 Tim 5:19).

5:22 Lay hands See note on 4:14.

5:23 wine In the ancient world, wine was believed to benefit a person’s health. Paul’s advice may be indirectly aimed at the false teachers’ promotion of abstinence from some food and drink (4:3; see note on 3:3).

5:24 but for some also they follow after them Church leadership must evaluate leadership candidates—they must be aware of both hidden sin and hidden good works (v. 25).