1 Timothy 5
Instructions for the Church
aDo not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, byounger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows awho are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn ato show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for bthis is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She awho is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and bcontinues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but ashe who is self-indulgent is bdead even while she lives. 7 aCommand these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for amembers of his household, he has bdenied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been athe wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has ashown hospitality, bhas washed the feet of the saints, has ccared for the afflicted, and has ddevoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when atheir passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also agossips and bbusybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have ayounger widows marry, bear children, bmanage their households, and cgive the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 aFor some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those awho are truly widows.
17 Let the elders awho rule well be considered worthy of bdouble honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, a“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, b“The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except aon the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, arebuke them in the presence of all, bso that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels aI charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, bdoing nothing from partiality. 22 aDo not be hasty in the blaying on of hands, nor ctake part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but ause a little wine bfor the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and aeven those that are not cannot remain hidden.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.