1 Timothy 5:16

1 Timothy 5:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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 who are truly widows.
• New King James Version (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.

Context of 1 Timothy 5:16

14So I want younger widows to get married, have children, manage their households, and not give opponents of the faith any occasion for slander. 15Some [widows] have already turned away [from the faith] to follow Satan. If any believing woman has [dependent] widows [in her household], she must assist them [according to her ability]; and the church must not be burdened [with them], so that it may assist those who are truly widows [those who are all alone and are dependent]. 17The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ]. 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain [to keep it from eating],” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages [he deserves fair compensation].”

1 Timothy 5:16 word by word

εἴ τις πιστὴ ἔχει χήρας, ἐπαρκείτω αὐταῖς καὶ μὴ βαρείσθω ἡ ἐκκλησία, ἵνα ταῖς ὄντως χήραις ἐπαρκέσῃ.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Ifεἰei · ifG1487
• anyτιςtis · oneG5100
• manπιστόςpistos · faithfulG4103
• orἤē · orG2228
• haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• widowsχήραchēra · widowG5503
• let them relieveἐπαρκέωeparkeō · to helpG1884
• themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• letβαρέωbareō · to burdenG916
• notμήmē · notG3361
• the churchὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• areὄντωςontōs · reallyG3689

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 5:16

• 1 Timothy 5:4But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.
• 1 Timothy 5:3Honor and help those widows who are truly widowed [alone, and without support].

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16If any man or woman that believeth - If any Christian man or woman have poor widows, which are their relatives, let them relieve them - provide them with the necessaries of life, and not burden the Church with their maintenance, that the funds may be spared for the support of those widows who were employed in its service, teaching children, visiting the sick, etc., etc. For the performing of such offices it is very likely that none but widows were…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16If any man or woman that believeth - Christians are often simply called “believers,” because faith is the leading and most important act of their religion. Have widows - Widowed mothers, or grandmothers, or any other widows whose support would naturally devolve on them. Let them relieve them - That is, let them support them. This was an obvious rule of duty; see the notes on 1 Timothy 5:8. Nothing can be more unreasonable than to leave those who are…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-16Verses 9-16 Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted to them. Those who are idle, very seldom are only idle, they make…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16Individual Christian households kept their roles and identities within the church (see 2:15; 3:15). The church did not control them. However, the household of God is central to the identity of the Christian community (see Mark 3:31–35).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. If any ... have widows--of his family, however related to him. Most of the oldest manuscripts and versions omit "man or," and read, "If any woman that believeth." But the Received text seems preferable. If, however, the weightiest authorities are to prevail, the sense will be: He was speaking of younger widows; He now says, If any believing young widow have widows related to her needing support, let her relieve them, thereby casing the Church of the…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 5:16

• Beneficence
• Commandments
• Liberality
• Minister, Christian
• Poor
• Widow
• Women

In the dictionaries

• Beforehand
• Deny
• Faithful
• Guide
• Marry
• Reproachfully
• Requite
• Reward
• Widows
• Widow

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings