1 Timothy 5:16

16 If any^[a] believing woman has widows, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.

1 Timothy 5:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 5:16

If any man or woman that believeth have widows
That is, if any member of a church, whether a brother or a sister, have mothers or grandmothers, or any near relations widows, in mean circumstances, and incapable of taking care of themselves:

let them relieve them;
out of their own substance; which is what the apostle before calls showing piety at home, and requiting their own parents:

and let not the church be charged;
or burdened with the maintenance of them:

that it may relieve them that are widows indeed;
that the church may be in a better capacity, its stock not being expended on others, to supply the wants of those who are really widows; who have neither husbands, nor children, nor any relations, to provide for them; nor anything in the world to support themselves with.

1 Timothy 5:16 In-Context

14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.

15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan.

16 If any believing woman has widows, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.

17 The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

18 For the Scripture says: You must not muzzle an ox that is threshing grain, and, The laborer is worthy of his wages.

Footnotes

• [a]. Other mss add believing man or