1 Timothy 5:3-4

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.

1 Timothy 5:8

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.

1 Timothy 5:16

5:16 If a believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need.


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.

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

tn Or “to practice their religion.”

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

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

tn That is, “his own relatives.”

tc Most witnesses (D Ψ Ï sy) have πιστὸς ἤ (pisto" h) before πιστή (pisth), with the resultant meaning “if a believing man or woman.” But such looks to be a motivated reading, perhaps to bring some parity to the responsibilities of men and women listed here, and as a way of harmonizing with v. 4. Further, most of the earliest and best witnesses (א A C F G P 048 33 81 1175 1739 1881 co) lack the πιστὸς ἤ, strengthening the preference for the shorter reading.

tn Grk “has widows.”

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