older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.
Parallel translations
- WEB the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
- KJV The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
- BSB older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute 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 your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
- Matt 12:50For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
- Phil 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
- 1 Tim 5:3Honor widows who are widows indeed.
- 2 Tim 2:22Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- John 19:26–27Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
- 1 Th 5:22Abstain from every form of evil.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.