1 Timothy 5 - Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

5 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.

The Support of Widows

3 Support[a] widows(A) who are genuinely in need. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. 5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God(B) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; 6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.(C) 7 Command this also, so that they will be above reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide(D) for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith(E) and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, 10 and is well known for good works(F)—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,(G) washed the saints’ feet,(H) helped the afflicted,(I) and devoted herself to every good work.(J) 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry(K) 12 and will therefore receive condemnation(L) because they have renounced their original pledge. 13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips(M) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. 14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry,(N) have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.(O) 15 For some have already turned away(P) to follow Satan. 16 If any[b] believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.

Honoring the Elders

17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor,[c] especially those who work hard(Q) at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,[d](R) and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”(S)

19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.(T) 20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid. 21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe(U) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. 22 Don’t be too quick to appoint[e](V) anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.(W) 23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 24 Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment,(X) but the sins of others surface[f] later. 25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.

Footnotes

  1. 5:3 Lit Honor
  2. 5:16 Other mss add believing man or
  3. 5:17 Or of respect and remuneration
  4. 5:18 Dt 25:4
  5. 5:22 Lit to lay hands on
  6. 5:24 Lit follow

Cross references

  1. 5:3 : Ex 22:22; Jms 1:27
  2. 5:5 : 1Co 7:34
  3. 5:6 : Lk 15:24; Eph 2:1,5; 5:14; Rv 3:1
  4. 5:8 : Rm 12:17; 2Co 8:21
  5. 5:8 : Mt 10:33; Php 1:27; 1Tm 1:2; 2Pt 2:1; Jd 4; Rv 2:13
  6. 5:10 : Mk 14:6; 2Co 9:8; Gl 3:10; Jms 2:14–26
  7. 5:10 : 2Jn 10
  8. 5:10 : Lk 7:44; Jn 13:5–14
  9. 5:10 : Heb 11:37
  10. 5:10 : 2Co 9:8
  11. 5:11 : 1Tm 5:14
  12. 5:12 : Mk 12:40
  13. 5:13 : Pr 17:9; 3Jn 10
  14. 5:14 : Gn 2:18–25; 1Co 7:9–10; 1Tm 4:3; 5:11
  15. 5:14 : Ti 2:4–5
  16. 5:15 : Heb 12:13
  17. 5:17 : 1Th 5:12
  18. 5:18 : Dt 25:4; 1Co 9:9
  19. 5:18 : Lv 19:13; Dt 24:14–15; Mt 10:10; Lk 10:7; 1Co 9:4–14; 2Pt 2:13
  20. 5:19 : Dt 19:15
  21. 5:21 : Lk 11:28
  22. 5:22 : Ex 29:10; Lv 4:15; Lk 4:40; Ac 6:6; 28:8; 1Tm 4:14; Heb 6:2
  23. 5:22 : Php 4:8
  24. 5:24 : Mt 12:41; Jn 5:22–30; Heb 9:27

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5 Do not be angry with an older man if he has done something wrong, but talk kindly to him as you would talk to your father. Talk to the young men like brothers. 2 Talk to the older women like mothers. Talk to the young women like sisters. And be sure to keep a clean mind and heart in all this. 3 He...
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1 Timothy 5 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

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5 Do not rebuke an elder, but encourage him as a father, and the younger men as brothers; 2 the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all pureness. 3 Honor widows which are truly widows. 4 But if any widow has children or nephews, let them learn first to show godliness toward their ow...
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