1 Timothy 5:15-16

5:15 For some have already wandered away to follow Satan. ¹  5:16 If a believing woman ²  has widows in her family, ³  let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need. ⁴ 

[5:15]  ¹ tn Grk “wandered away after Satan.”

[5:16]  ² 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.

[5:16]  ³ tn Grk “has widows.”

[5:16]  ⁴ tn Grk “the real widows,” “those who are really widows.”