The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
Parallel translations
- WEB the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
- BSB older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
- NKJV older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.
- NASB to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
- NLT Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.
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
Older women are to be treated as mothers and younger women as sisters, in all purity. It frames church relationships in pure, familial terms.
Overview
Paul continues the family image, urging Timothy to relate to older and younger women as mothers and sisters. The added phrase 'in all purity' guards these relationships from impropriety. The verse models honor, warmth, and integrity in the church's life together.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 1 Tim 4:12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
- Matt 12:50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
- Phil 4:8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
- 1 Tim 5:3Honour widows that are widows indeed.
- 2 Tim 2:22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- John 19:26–27When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
- 1 Th 5:22Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
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.
How 1 Timothy 5:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.