1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy 5:1-2

¹Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; ²the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

Timothy must not rebuke an older man harshly but exhort him as a father, treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters—with all purity.

1 Timothy 5:3-8

³Honor widows who are widows indeed. ⁴But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. ⁵Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. ⁶But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. ⁷Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. ⁸But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Honor true widows; families must first care for their own widows as repayment and godliness, while the widow indeed hopes in God and continues in prayer—anyone who fails to provide for relatives has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy 5:9-10

⁹Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.

Enroll as a widow only those sixty or older, faithful in marriage, and well attested in good works—raising children, hospitality, washing the saints’ feet, helping the afflicted, and dedicating themselves to every good work.

1 Timothy 5:11-16

¹¹But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, ¹²having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. ¹³Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. ¹⁴I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. ¹⁵For already some have turned away after Satan. ¹⁶If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.

Refuse to enroll younger widows, who may grow wanton against Christ, abandon their pledge, become idle gossips, and so should marry, bear children, and manage homes; families should care for their widows so the church can aid those who are truly widows.

1 Timothy 5:17-18

¹⁷Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. ¹⁸For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

Elders who rule well, especially those who labor in word and teaching, deserve double honor; Scripture forbids muzzling the ox and affirms that the laborer deserves his wages.

1 Timothy 5:19-22

¹⁹Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses. ²⁰Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. ²¹I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. ²²Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

Do not admit a charge against an elder except on two or three witnesses; publicly rebuke persistent sinners so others fear; keep these rules without prejudice or partiality; do not lay hands hastily, and do not share in others’ sins—keep yourself pure.

1 Timothy 5:23

²³Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

Paul tells Timothy to stop drinking only water and to use a little wine for his stomach and frequent infirmities.

1 Timothy 5:24-25

²⁴Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. ²⁵In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.

Some sins are obvious and precede people to judgment, while others trail behind; likewise good works are sometimes conspicuous and sometimes hidden—but they cannot stay hidden forever.

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