If 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.
Parallel translations
- WEB If 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.
- BSB If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.
- NKJV If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
- NASB If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually widows.
- NLT If a woman who is a believer has relatives who are widows, she must take care of them and not put the responsibility on the church. Then the church can care for the widows who are truly alone.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Believers who have widows in their family should care for them directly, so the church is free to support widows who are truly alone. Personal responsibility frees the church's resources for genuine need.
Overview
Paul returns to his earlier principle: families should relieve their own widows rather than burdening the congregation. This stewardship lets the assembly focus its care on widows who are truly destitute. The instruction reflects both wise stewardship and the gospel pattern of love that begins at home yet overflows to the needy.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- 1 Tim 5:3–5Honour widows that are widows indeed.
- 1 Tim 5:8But 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.
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There is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all' — the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.
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Original language
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