Summary of 1 Timothy, Chapter 5

In giving corrections, Timothy should not be harsh on an elder, but should entreat him as a father, and speak to younger men as to brothers, to older women as to mothers, to younger women as to sisters, in all purity.

He should give financial support to widows, who really are such. But if some widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to do their duty towards those of their own household, and to make a return to parents. For this is pleasing in the eyes of God. The real widow is left alone, has hoped in God, and perseveres in supplications and prayers night and day. But a widow who indulges in pleasure is dead, even though seeming to be alive. Timothy should command too, that they live a life free of reproach. If anyone does not provide for his own and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

A woman may be officially designated as a widow if she is not less than 60 years old, if she has been the wife of only one man, and has a record of good works, has raised her children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the holy ones, if she has helped those in trouble, if she has followed every good work.

Timothy should avoid designating younger women as widows, for when they have indulged in pleasure not in accord with Christ, they want to marry. And they will be charged with having set aside their first commitment. At the same time they are idle and get used to going from one house to another, not only idly, but also as babblers and busybodies, speaking what they should not say.

So it is better that the younger ones marry, have children, manage their houses, and give no occasion to the enemy so he can reproach them. For already some have turned and followed Satan. If any Christian woman has relatives who really are widows she should aid them, and not let the church be burdened, so the church may be able to aid those who really are good widows.

Presbyters who preside well should be thought worthy of double honor, especially if they labor in the word and in teaching. For Scripture says: "You shall not muzzle the ox that is treading the grain" and "the laborer is worthy of his hire."

Do not listen to a charge against a presbyter unless it is backed by two or three witnesses. Rebuke those who do sin in front of all, so the rest may fear.

Paul charges Timothy before God and Christ Jesus and the good angels to observe what Paul has just said without prejudice and in impartiality.

He urges Timothy not to hastily ordain anyone -- for he might share in the sins of another. He should keep himself pure, and no longer drink only water, but should take a little wine because of his stomach and his frequent infirmities.

The sins of some are obvious, even before they go to judgment; but the sins of others are obvious only later on. Similarly, the good works of some are evident and even when they are not, they will eventually come to light.

Comments on Chapter 5

The "elder" in verse 1 is probably just any older man, not necessarily a presbyter/priest (as seems to be the cases in verse 19). Paul here is teaching respect for old age.

The widows of whom he speaks are those who are officially designated by the church as such, and who therefore receive support from the church. Paul insists that if they have close relatives, these should care for them, and spare the church the burden.

As to those whose husbands die when they are young, Paul does not favor putting them in the official status. Rather, he urges them to remarry. This does not contradict his advice in 1 Corinthians 7:8 that it is better not to remarry. There he was speaking of a spiritual plus to be had in abstention from marriage, as we explained there. But here he sees that those who are widowed young are not taking up the spiritual advantage, but rather are living in unsuitable ways, becoming busybodies.

In verse 22 he warns against ordaining anyone without a careful check -- Timothy could be responsible for the sins of a bad candidate. We think here of Paul's teachings on involuntary sins in 1 Corinthians 4:4.