1 Timothy 5:1-6
Summary for 1Tim 5:1-6:2: 5:1–6:2a a Right conduct in God’s household (see 3:15 b) relates to old and young (5:1-2 c), widows (5:3-16 d), elders (5:17-25 e), and slaves (6:1-2a f). Proper honor within the household cuts across social boundaries.Summary for 1Tim 5:3-16: 5:3-16 g A widow without wealth or family was alone in a world that did not provide for her. The Christian community was expected to care for such widows among its members (see Deut 10:17-19 h; Isa 1:17 i; cp. Acts 6:1-6 j; Jas 1:27 k). Some have argued that this passage suggests a religious order of widows in the first-century church at Ephesus, but there is no certain evidence of such an order in the first-century church, only of a ministry of care for community members without means.
5:5 l The only recourse for a widow who was truly alone was hope in God (Pss 68:5 m; 146:9 n).
5:6 o Some widows in Ephesus were living only for pleasure, more interested in receiving than in giving (see also 6:17-19 p; Jas 5:5 q). They did not need support.
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