English Standard Version
1 Timothy 5:16
16If 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.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (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.
Context of 1 Timothy 5:16
14So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15For some have already strayed after Satan. 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. 17Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
Read all of 1 Timothy 51 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
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
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries