Text -- 1 Timothy 5:1-8 (NET)

Instructions about Specific Groups

5:1 Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers, 5:2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters– with complete purity. 5:3 Honor widows who are truly in need. 5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their duty toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them. For this is what pleases God. 5:5 But the widow who is truly in need, and completely on her own, has set her hope on God and continues in her pleas and prayers night and day. 5:6 But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 5:7 Reinforce these commands, so that they will be beyond reproach. 5:8 But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 1Ti 5:1

¹ tn Or “Do not speak harshly to an older man.”

² tn No verb “speak” is stated in this clause, but it continues the sense of the preceding.

NET Notes: 1Ti 5:3

¹ sn The word honor here carries the double meaning of respect and financial support. This Greek word can imply both senses, and both are intended in this context.

² tn Grk “the real widows,” “those who are really widows.”

NET Notes: 1Ti 5:4

¹ tn Or “to practice their religion.”

² tn Or “and so make some repayment to their parents”; Grk “and to give back recompense to their parents.”

³ tn Grk “for this is pleasing in the sight of God.”

NET Notes: 1Ti 5:5

¹ tn Or “left all alone.”

NET Notes: 1Ti 5:6

¹ tn For “is dead even” the Greek text reads “has died.”

NET Notes: 1Ti 5:7

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

² tn Grk “and command these things.”

NET Notes: 1Ti 5:8

¹ tn That is, “his own relatives.”