1 Timothy 5:16

16 If any believing woman has widows, she must help them, and the church must not be burdened, in order that it may help those [who are] truly 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 [widows] to marry, to bear children, to manage a household, to give the adversary no opportunity for reproach.

15 For already some have turned away [and followed] after Satan.

16 If any believing woman has widows, she must help them, and the church must not be burdened, in order that it may help those [who are] truly widows.

17 The elders who lead well must be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor by speaking and teaching.

18 For the scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox [while it] is threshing," and "The worker [is] worthy of his wages."