1 Timothy 5

Instructions for the Church's Care of Widows

¹Rebuke not an elder , but intreat him as a father ; and the younger men as brethren ; ²The elder women as mothers ; the younger as sisters , with all purity .

Instructions for the Church's Care of Widows

³Honour widows that are widows indeed . ⁴But if any widow have children or nephews , let them learn first to shew piety at home , and to requite their parents : for that is good and acceptable before God . ⁵Now she that is a widow indeed , and desolate , trusteth in God , and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day . ⁶But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth . ⁷And these things give in charge , that they may be blameless . ⁸But if any provide not for his own , and specially for those of his own house , he hath denied the faith , and is worse than an infidel . ⁹Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old , having been the wife of one man , ¹⁰Well reported of for good works ; if she have brought up children , if she have lodged strangers , if she have washed the saints’ feet , if she have relieved the afflicted , if she have diligently followed every good work . ¹¹But the younger widows refuse : for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ , they will marry ; ¹²Having damnation , because they have cast off their first faith . ¹³And withal they learn to be idle , wandering about from house to house ; and not only idle , but tattlers also and busybodies , speaking things which they ought not . ¹⁴I will therefore that the younger women marry , bear children , guide the house , give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully . ¹⁵For some are already turned aside after Satan . ¹⁶If any man or woman that believeth have widows , let them relieve them , and let not the church be charged ; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed .

Elders and Their Honor

¹⁷Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour , especially they who labour in the word and doctrine . ¹⁸For the scripture saith , Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn . And , The labourer is worthy of his reward .

Personal Conduct and Accountability

¹⁹Against an elder receive not an accusation , but before two or three witnesses . ²⁰Them that sin rebuke before all , that others also may fear . ²¹I charge thee before God , and the Lord Jesus Christ , and the elect angels , that thou observe these things without preferring one before another , doing nothing by partiality . ²²Lay hands suddenly on no man , neither be partaker of other men’s sins : keep thyself pure . ²³Drink no longer water , but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities . ²⁴Some men’s sins are open beforehand , going before to judgment ; and some men they follow after . ²⁵Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand ; and they that are otherwise can not be hid .