NextLevel Online: Healthy Churches - A Study in 1 Timothy

Honoring Widows 1 Timothy 5:1-16

In 1 Timothy 4:16, Paul urges Timothy to monitor his conduct and teaching closely, noting that doing so will lead to his own salvation and that of his hearers. The passage outlines responsibilities for various church members, emphasizing care for "true widows"—those genuinely in need, dependent on God, and demonstrating godly character. This principle of support reflects a broader biblical mandate for benevolence and care within the church community.
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Honoring Widows 1 Timothy 5:1-16

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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

Classroom Instructions

Section 09
17:44“Honoring Widows” 1 Timothy 5:1-16“Honoring Widows” 1 Timothy 5:1-16

Honoring Widows

I Timothy 5:1-16

Jim Dalrymple | Ozark Christian College

Timothy = “Honors God”

1 Timothy 4:16 — Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

  1. Older men (5:1)

  2. Younger men (5:1)

  3. Older women (5:2)

  4. Younger women (5:2)

  5. Widows (5:3-16)

  6. Elders (5:17-25)

  7. Slaves/Masters (6:1-2)

  8. Rich (6:17-19)

Care for widows was a major theme in the OT (Ex 22:22; Dt 10:18; 24:17; 24:19; 26:12; 27:19; Ps 68:5; 146:9; Pr 15:25) which in turn is reflected in the NT (Lk 2:37; 7:11; 18:1; Mk 10:38; 12:41; Jn 19:26; Acts 6; Jms 1:27). However, there were those who found ways around caring for those widows in their immediate families (see Mark 7:9-13 and the laws of “corban”).

Household codes: “Social Security” in the ancient world

It was the biological family’s responsibility to care for widows who were family. It was the spiritual family’s responsibility to care for widows who were family who did not have that care from their biological family.

“Wife of one husband” (vs. 9) – This parallels the qualities of both elders (3:2) and deacons (3:12). [Notice that this all but disqualifies polygamy as being the understanding in 3:2, 12 as polyandry was culturally rare]. It must be referring to multiple consecutive marriages due to faithlessness to a covenant. If this prohibits a second marriage, then Paul seems to contradict himself by urging younger widows to marry a second time—thus disqualifying them from any future support should this be the understanding of the phrase. Rather, this seems to be speaking toward faithfulness in marriage.

“Truly Widows” forms a bookend/inclusio for this section (vs. 3, 5 & 16).

True Widows

True financial need

True dependence upon God

(contra. the rich in 6:17)

True godly character

Enroll (katalegō) appears to be an official long-term commitment by the church to care for the needs of a widow through her final years.

Portrait of a “True Widow”

60 Years+

One-man woman

Reputation/Testimony of good works

Brought up children

Shown hospitality

A Paradigm for discernment in benevolence ministries.

Honoring Widows 1 Timothy 5:1-16 Instructions

Section 09
17:44“Honoring Widows” 1 Timothy 5:1-16“Honoring Widows” 1 Timothy 5:1-16

Honoring Widows

I Timothy 5:1-16

Jim Dalrymple | Ozark Christian College

Timothy = “Honors God”

1 Timothy 4:16 — Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

  1. Older men (5:1)

  2. Younger men (5:1)

  3. Older women (5:2)

  4. Younger women (5:2)

  5. Widows (5:3-16)

  6. Elders (5:17-25)

  7. Slaves/Masters (6:1-2)

  8. Rich (6:17-19)

Care for widows was a major theme in the OT (Ex 22:22; Dt 10:18; 24:17; 24:19; 26:12; 27:19; Ps 68:5; 146:9; Pr 15:25) which in turn is reflected in the NT (Lk 2:37; 7:11; 18:1; Mk 10:38; 12:41; Jn 19:26; Acts 6; Jms 1:27). However, there were those who found ways around caring for those widows in their immediate families (see Mark 7:9-13 and the laws of “corban”).

Household codes: “Social Security” in the ancient world

It was the biological family’s responsibility to care for widows who were family. It was the spiritual family’s responsibility to care for widows who were family who did not have that care from their biological family.

“Wife of one husband” (vs. 9) – This parallels the qualities of both elders (3:2) and deacons (3:12). [Notice that this all but disqualifies polygamy as being the understanding in 3:2, 12 as polyandry was culturally rare]. It must be referring to multiple consecutive marriages due to faithlessness to a covenant. If this prohibits a second marriage, then Paul seems to contradict himself by urging younger widows to marry a second time—thus disqualifying them from any future support should this be the understanding of the phrase. Rather, this seems to be speaking toward faithfulness in marriage.

“Truly Widows” forms a bookend/inclusio for this section (vs. 3, 5 & 16).

True Widows

True financial need

True dependence upon God

(contra. the rich in 6:17)

True godly character

Enroll (katalegō) appears to be an official long-term commitment by the church to care for the needs of a widow through her final years.

Portrait of a “True Widow”

60 Years+

One-man woman

Reputation/Testimony of good works

Brought up children

Shown hospitality

A Paradigm for discernment in benevolence ministries.