Font Size
1 Timothy 5
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
1 Timothy 5
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Speak To Everyone As You Would Your Own Family Members
5 Do not sharply-rebuke an older man, but be appealing-to[a] him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters in all purity.
Provide Church Support For Real Widows Attested By Faith And Good Works
3 Be honoring widows— the real[b] widows. 4 Now if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to reverence[c] their own household and to give-back a return to their ancestors. For this is acceptable[d] in the sight of God. 5 But the one who is a real widow and has been left-alone[e] has put her hope upon God, and continues-in petitions and prayers by night and by day. 6 But the one living-indulgently is-dead while living. 7 Indeed be commanding these things in order that they may be above-reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide-for his own relatives, and especially family-members, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 Let a widow be put-on-the-list[f] having become not fewer than sixty years old, a woman of one man[g], 10 being attested by good works: if she brought-up-children, if she received-strangers[h], if she washed the feet of saints, if she aided ones being afflicted, if she followed-after every good work.
But Decline To Include The Young Widows; Let Them Marry
11 But be declining[i] younger[j] widows. For when they grow-sensual[k] against Christ, they want to marry— 12 having condemnation [upon themselves] because[l] they set-aside their first pledge. 13 And at the same time also they are learning to be idle[m], while going-around the houses. And not only idle, but also babblers and busybodies— speaking the things not being proper. 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to marry, to bear-children, to manage-the-house[n], to give to the one opposing no opportunity for the sake of reviling[o]. 15 For some already turned-aside after Satan. 16 If any believing-woman has widows, let her be aiding them, and let the church not be burdened in order that it may aid the real widows.
Give Unbiased Church Support And Respect To Elders Leading Well
17 Let the elders having led well be considered-worthy of double[p] honor, especially[q] the ones laboring in word[r] and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says “You shall not muzzle a threshing ox” [Deut 25:4], and “The worker is worthy of his wages” [Lk 10:7]. 19 Do not be accepting an accusation against an elder unless on the basis of two or three witnesses. 20 Be rebuking the ones sinning in the presence of all[s], in order that the rest also may have fear. 21 I solemnly-charge you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels that you keep these things without pre-judgment, doing nothing according-to[t] partiality[u]. 22 Be laying hands[v] on no one hastily, nor sharing[w] in the sins belonging-to-others; be keeping yourself pure. (23 No longer be-a-water-drinker, but be using a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent sicknesses). 24 The sins of some[x] people are clear-beforehand, going ahead-of them to judgment, but indeed for some they follow-after. 25 Similarly also the good works are clear-beforehand, and the ones having it otherwise[y] are not able to be hidden.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 5:1 Or, urging.
- 1 Timothy 5:3 As seen next, Paul means widows dependent on God alone in contrast to those with relatives, or whose character has not demonstrated a relationship to God or His family, or who are of marriageable age.
- 1 Timothy 5:4 That is, treat with reverence, show devotion to, respect.
- 1 Timothy 5:4 Or, pleasing.
- 1 Timothy 5:5 Or, made-alone.
- 1 Timothy 5:9 Or, enrolled, enlisted. That is, as financially supported by the church; or, as a deaconess serving the church.
- 1 Timothy 5:9 Or, a wife of one husband. Some think this refers in some sense to marital status; others, to marital fidelity.
- 1 Timothy 5:10 Or, showed-hospitality.
- 1 Timothy 5:11 That is, declining to put on the list.
- 1 Timothy 5:11 That is, such as would bear children, v 14.
- 1 Timothy 5:11 That is, desire the pleasures of marriage. Their desire for children and a home will lead them to pursue things other than the service to Christ as a widow to which they pledged themselves.
- 1 Timothy 5:12 Or, the condemnation that.
- 1 Timothy 5:13 Or, lazy, unproductive.
- 1 Timothy 5:14 Or, be-master-of-the-house.
- 1 Timothy 5:14 Or, insulting, abusing the church or the faith.
- 1 Timothy 5:17 Or, two-fold, twice-as-much.
- 1 Timothy 5:17 That is, in contrast to elders excelling in other forms of leadership.
- 1 Timothy 5:17 That is, the Word; or, speech.
- 1 Timothy 5:20 That is, all the elders; or, all the church.
- 1 Timothy 5:21 Or, by way of.
- 1 Timothy 5:21 Or, bias, partisanship.
- 1 Timothy 5:22 That is, to commission elders; or, to restore elders.
- 1 Timothy 5:22 Such is the case if one appoints leaders who turn out to be unqualified due to sin.
- 1 Timothy 5:24 That is, some on whom you might consider laying hands.
- 1 Timothy 5:25 That is, not openly apparent to people. These works will not stay hidden upon examination. Good character is verifiable.
1 Timothy 5
New International Version
1 Timothy 5
New International Version
Widows, Elders and Slaves
5 Do not rebuke an older man(A) harshly,(B) but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men(C) as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.(D) 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents,(E) for this is pleasing to God.(F) 5 The widow who is really in need(G) and left all alone puts her hope in God(H) and continues night and day to pray(I) and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.(J) 7 Give the people these instructions,(K) so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied(L) the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds,(M) such as bringing up children, showing hospitality,(N) washing the feet(O) of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble(P) and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies(Q) who talk nonsense,(R) saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry,(S) to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.(T) 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.(U)
16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.(V)
17 The elders(W) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,(X) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[a](Y) and “The worker deserves his wages.”[b](Z) 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder(AA) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.(AB) 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove(AC) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.(AD) 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus(AE) and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,(AF) and do not share in the sins of others.(AG) Keep yourself pure.(AH)
23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine(AI) because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 5:18 Deut. 25:4
- 1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7
1 Timothy 5
English Standard Version
1 Timothy 5
English Standard Version
Instructions for the Church
5 (A)Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, (B)younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows (C)who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn (D)to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for (E)this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She (F)who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and (G)continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but (H)she who is self-indulgent is (I)dead even while she lives. 7 (J)Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for (K)members of his household, he has (L)denied 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 (M)the wife of one husband,[a] 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has (N)shown hospitality, (O)has washed the feet of the saints, has (P)cared for the afflicted, and has (Q)devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when (R)their 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 (S)gossips and (T)busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have (U)younger widows marry, bear children, (V)manage their households, and (W)give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 (X)For 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 (Y)who are truly widows.
17 Let the elders (Z)who rule well be considered worthy of (AA)double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, (AB)“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, (AC)“The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except (AD)on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, (AE)rebuke them in the presence of all, (AF)so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels (AG)I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, (AH)doing nothing from partiality. 22 (AI)Do not be hasty in the (AJ)laying on of hands, nor (AK)take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but (AL)use a little wine (AM)for 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 (AN)even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 5:9 Or a woman of one man
Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT) 
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.