1 Timothy 5:5

5 Now the widow who is really in need, the one who has been left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

1 Timothy 5:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 5:5

Now she that is a widow indeed
A real widow, whom the Jews ^F18 call (hrwmg) , "a perfect one", in opposition to one that is divorced, or a brother's widow, that has had the shoe plucked off for her: and such an one as the apostle means, is one that is

desolate,
or "alone": who has neither husband to take care of her, nor children or nephews to show kindness to her, nor any worldly substance to subsist upon:

but trusteth in God:
not in man, nor in an arm of flesh, but in the living God, the giver of all good things, the Judge of widows; who vindicates their cause, avenges the injuries done them, protects and defends them, and relieves their wants, and gives all encouragement to them, to trust in him; see ( Jeremiah 49:11 ) .

and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day;
as the widow Anna did, ( Luke 2:36 Luke 2:37 ) . A Widow indeed is one that has no outward dependence, betakes herself to the Lord, puts her confidence in him, and cries to him continually for a daily supply; and such an one, amidst all her poverty and meanness, is a living believer, one that lives by faith on the Lord; and is profitable, and useful to the church by her prayers and supplications made for them, as well as for herself; whereas she that is in the next verse described is just the reverse.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F18 Jarchi in Exek. xliv. 22.

1 Timothy 5:5 In-Context

3 Show respect to widows who are really in need.

4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, first let them learn to do their religious duty to their own family and thus repay some of the debt they owe their forebears, for this is what is acceptable in the sight of God.

5 Now the widow who is really in need, the one who has been left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

6 But the one who is self-indulgent is already dead, even though she lives.

7 And instruct them about this, so that they will not be open to blame.