desolate . Greek. monoomai . Only here. trusteth = has hoped. Implying continued hoping. in. App-104 . oontinueth . Greek. prosmeno . See 1 Timothy 1:3 . supplications. App-134 . prayers. App-134 . read more
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.Two classes of widows are pointed out by this, only the first class being entitled to the support of the church. As a practical fact, there are widows indeed who have no relative who can support them; and in these verses Paul indeed allowed and commanded that the truly faithful and God-fearing should... read more
1 Timothy 5:5. Night and day.— That is, continually; morning and evening, and on every proper occasion, whether by night or by day. read more
5. widow indeed, and desolate—contrasted with her who has children or grandchildren to support her (1 Timothy 5:4). trusteth in God—perfect tense in Greek, "hath rested, and doth rest her hope in God." 1 Timothy 5:5 adds another qualification in a widow for Church maintenance, besides her being" desolate" or destitute of children to support her. She must be not one "that liveth in pleasure" (1 Timothy 5:5- :), but one making God her main hope (the accusative in Greek expresses that God is the... read more
1. Provisions for widows 5:3-16Paul gave instructions concerning the church’s responsibility for its widows to clarify how and for whom the church should provide special care. Widows have been and still are especially vulnerable individuals. As such God has always shown special concern for their protection (cf. Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 24:17; Psalms 68:5; Isaiah 1:17; Luke 2:37). The early church normally mirrored His attitude (Acts 6:1; Acts 9:39). In the Greco-Roman world a female... read more
C. How to deal with widows and elders 5:3-25Paul now addressed how Timothy was to deal with two main problem areas in the Ephesian church, the younger widows and the erring elders. read more
However not all in the second category should receive regular financial help. Only those widows without children or supporting relatives (Gr. memonomeme, "left alone") who give evidence that they are looking to God for their needs and are seeking to honor Him with their lives qualify (e.g., Anna in Luke 2:36-38). These are "widows indeed." Widows who give themselves to the pursuit of pleasure rather than to the pursuit of God do not qualify for regular support. This is the third group of widows... read more
Regarding Widows and Accusations against Elders1. Rebuke] This shows the authority which Timothy exercised. An elder] i.e. an elderly man, not one officially so named.3-16. The seventh charge to Timothy—as to widows.3. Widows indeed] Each local Church kept a list of the widows belonging to the congregation, who were supported by the alms of the faithful if they were widows indeed, that is, if they had none to help them (1 Timothy 5:4-5). In return, they did what services they could to the... read more
(5) Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate.—St. Paul, after mentioning this exception to the fit objects of the Church’s charity and protection, again returns to this special class of helpless ones: “the widows indeed”—a class, no doubt, in those days of selfish luxury and of extreme misery and hopelessness, often utterly neglected, and not unfrequently left to starve and to perish in want and misery.It has been asked why, in these official directions to Timothy, the question of relief of... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:1-16
5:1-6:21 VARIOUS KINDS OF PEOPLE IN THE CHURCHThe young, the old and the widows (5:1-16)It may at times have been difficult for Timothy to deal with those who were older or those who were of the opposite sex. Paul therefore reminds him to be careful how he treats people, and always to show fitting courtesy and to act with moral uprightness (5:1-2).The church must care for those of its members who are in need. But the church does not have a duty to support financially those elderly people who... read more