1 Timothy 5:3

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1 Timothy 5:3 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Honor the widows who are truly widows.

King James Version KJV

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

American Standard Version ASV

Honor widows that are widows indeed.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Give honour to widows who are truly widows.

Free Bible Version FBV

Help widows who don't have a family.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Honour widowes, which are widowes in deede.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

honour widows who are really widows;

World English Bible WEB

Honor widows who are widows indeed.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Honor widows that are widows indeed.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Honour widows, that are widows indeed.

Translation for Translators T4T

Make sure that the congregation takes care of widows who have no one to care for them.

Plain English Version PEV

If there are any widows in the church that haven’t got any family to look after them, then the church has to look after them.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Timothy 5:3

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Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Timothy 5:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK χηρας τιμα τας οντως χηρας

χηρας chēra G5503 widow Noun-APF

τιμα timaō G5091 to honor Verb-PAM-2S

τας ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APF

οντως ontōs G3689 really Adv

χηρας chēra G5503 widow Noun-APF

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Timothy 5:3

χηρας chēra G5503 "widow" Noun-APF

A widow is a woman who has lost her husband, like in Luke 2:37 where a widow named Anna is described as worshiping God day and night. It can also be used to describe a city that has been abandoned.

Definition: χήρα, -ας, ἡ [in LXX chiefly for אַלְמָנָה ;] a widow: Mat.23:13 (Rec., R, mg.), Mrk.12:40-43, Luk.2:37 4:25 7:12 18:3, 5 20:47 21:2-3, Act.6:1 9:39, 41, 1Co.7:8, 1Ti.5:3-5 5:11 5:16, Jas.1:27; γυνὴ χ., Luk.4:26; of one of an ordo viduarum (see CGT, in l), 1Ti.5:9; metaphorically, of a city forsaken, Rev.18:7.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 25 NT verses. KJV: widow See also: 1 Corinthians 7:8; Luke 4:25; James 1:27.

τιμα timaō G5091 "to honor" Verb-PAM-2S

To honor means to show respect and value someone or something. In the Bible, it is used to describe how people should treat their parents and God, as seen in Matthew 15:4 and Ephesians 6:2.

Definition: τιμάω, -ῶ (τιμή), [in LXX for כָּבַד pi., עָרַךְ hi., etc. ;] __1. to fix the value, price: with accusative of person(s), of Christ, Mat.27:9 (LXX). __2. to honour: with accusative of person(s), Mat.15:4 (LXX), Mat.15:5, 8" (LXX) Mat.19:19 (LXX), Mrk.7:6, 10 10:19, Luk.18:28" (LXX), Jhn.5:23 8:49 12:26, Eph.6:2" (LXX), 1Ti.5:3, 1Pe.2:17; πολλαῖς τιμαῖς, Act.28:10.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 16 NT verses. KJV: honour, value See also: 1 Peter 2:17; Mark 7:6; Matthew 27:9.

τας ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

οντως ontōs G3689 "really" Adv

Really means something is true or actual, like when the crowd said Jesus was really the Son of God in Mark 11:32. It's used to emphasize the truth of something.

Definition: ὄντως adv. (ὤν, ptcp. of εἰμί, sum) [in LXX: Num.22:37 (אׇמְנָם), Jer.3:23 (אָכֵן), Jer.10:19 (אַךְ), 3Ki.12:24, Wis.17:14 * ;] really, actually, truly: Mrk.11:32, Luk.23:47 24:34, Jhn.8:36, 1Co.14:25, Gal.3:21 4:1-31 ἡ ὄ. ζωή, 1Ti.6:19; ἡ ὄ. χήρα, 1Ti.5:3 5:5 5:16 † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: certainly, clean, indeed, of a truth, verily See also: 1 Corinthians 14:25; Galatians 3:21; Mark 11:32.

χηρας chēra G5503 "widow" Noun-APF

A widow is a woman who has lost her husband, like in Luke 2:37 where a widow named Anna is described as worshiping God day and night. It can also be used to describe a city that has been abandoned.

Usage: Occurs in 25 NT verses. KJV: widow See also: 1 Corinthians 7:8; Luke 4:25; James 1:27.

Study Notes — 1 Timothy 5:3

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Timothy 5:3 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Timothy 5:3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 5:3
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3
Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 5:3
Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 5:3
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3
Sermons on 1 Timothy 5:3

Context — Honoring True Widows

1Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

3Honor the widows who are truly widows.

4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Deuteronomy 27:19	‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
2	Acts 6:1	In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
3	Deuteronomy 10:18	He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.
4	Deuteronomy 14:29	Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands.
5	Deuteronomy 16:11	and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.
6	1 Timothy 5:4–5	But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.
7	Deuteronomy 16:14	And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.
8	1 Timothy 5:16–17	If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need. Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
9	Exodus 20:12	Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
10	1 Thessalonians 2:6	Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.

1 Timothy 5:3 Summary

This verse is telling us to show respect and care to widows who have no one to take care of them. It's like what we see in Exodus 22:22, where God commands us to care for the vulnerable. We can do this by visiting them, helping with their needs, and showing them love and kindness, just like we would want someone to do for our own family members (as seen in 1 Timothy 5:8). By honoring widows, we are reflecting God's heart of compassion and love for those in need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'honor' the widows who are truly widows?

To honor them means to show respect, care, and support, as seen in Exodus 22:22 and Deuteronomy 10:18, where God commands us to care for the vulnerable, including widows and orphans.

How do we determine who is a 'true widow'?

A true widow is one who has no family to care for her, as described in 1 Timothy 5:5, and is completely dependent on God and the church for support, as seen in Acts 6:1-3, where the early church cared for widows in need.

What is the role of the church in honoring widows?

The church is called to care for and support widows, as seen in James 1:27, where pure and undefiled religion is described as caring for widows and orphans in their distress.

How does honoring widows reflect the character of God?

Honoring widows reflects God's heart of compassion and love for the vulnerable, as seen in Psalm 68:5, where God is described as a Father to the fatherless and a Defender of widows.

Reflection Questions

What are some practical ways I can honor the widows in my church or community?
How can I show respect and care to those who are often overlooked or marginalized, like widows?
What can I learn from the example of the early church in Acts 6:1-3, and how can I apply it to my life?
How does God's command to care for widows challenge my own priorities and values?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Timothy 5:3

Honour widows that are widows indeed. Who those are, see in 1 Timothy 1:5.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 5:3

Honour widows that are widows indeed. Honour - by setting on the church roll as fit objects of charity (1 Timothy 5:9; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; Acts 6:1). So "honour" is used for support, Matthew 15:4; Matthew 15:6; Acts 28:10.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3

Honour widows; give a respect to such as have lost their husbands, with a regard to that honourable estate of marriage in which they have been formerly, and do not only pay them a due respect, but afford them a maintenance, . That are widows indeed: who are widows indeed he openeth further, ; such as are not only pious, but desolate, as the Greek word for a widow implies, according to its derivation.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3

3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. Ver. 3. Honour widows indeed] That is, such as are widows not by divorce, but by the death of their husbands, and loss of their children; such as was Naomi. Honour them, that is, take them into the college of widows, to be maintained at the Church’ s charge. In this sense ministers are to have double honour, which is therefore so termed, because they testified thereby the virtues of those so sustained.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3

(3) Honour widows that are widows indeed.—The mention of the relations of a pastor to the female members of the flock suggests another train of thought. Christianity had, during the thirty years of its history, developed a perfectly new existence for women who professed the faith of Jesus of Nazareth. In the Master’s new and strange (new and strange to the civilised world of that day) command—that the poor, the needy, and the sick should be succoured, that the helpless should be helped, and the comfortless comforted—a blessed calling was invented. so to speaks for Christian women. Their secluded and, in many respects, degraded life in the old world was, in great measure, owing to the fact that till Christ taught the universal duty of charity, women had no recognised public occupation in the world. The charge of the Founder of the new religion provided an endless variety of blessed, happiness-giving work for women of all ages and rank. The novel prominence, however, of females in such great centres as Ephesus not only necessitated some organisation which should administer the alms, and generally watch over and direct the self-sacrificing labours of the female portion of the community, but also required special vigilance, on the part of the chief pastor and his assistant presbyters and deacons, to prevent the charities of the Church being misused. The widow—the desolate and destitute, the mourning widow indeed, she who is in every sense a widow and has no one to whom to look for aid—she always has a claim on the Church. Not merely is she to be honoured by a simple exhibition of respect, but she is to be assisted and supported out of the alms of the faithful.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3

Verse 3. Honour widows that are widows indeed.] One meaning of the word τιμαω, to honour, is to support, sustain, c., Matthew 15:4-5; and here it is most obviously to be taken in this sense. Provide for those widows especially which are widows indeed-persons truly destitute, being aged and helpless, and having neither children nor friends to take care of them, and who behave as becometh their destitute state. But see the note on 1 Timothy 5:10.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 5:3

3–16. Timothy’s duties in regard to widowsCounsel on alms and charities for widows. The natural and obvious view of this passage studied in itself is to present the Church charities of this period as having reached an intermediate stage between the common purse or daily ministration of Act 2:45; Acts 6:1, and the order of widows publicly appointed and maintained with specified duties of education, superintendence and the like, which seems to have arisen later, perhaps from a strained interpretation of this passage itself, and which was abolished by the 11th Canon of the Council of Laodicea. ‘The women who are called by the Greeks “presbyters,” and by us “senior widows,” “once-wives,” and “churchmothers” ought not to have a position as an ordained body in the Church.’ Such a view is exactly parallel with that of the Church polity in these Epistles as ‘intermediate between the presbyterian episcopacy of the earlier apostolic period and the post-apostolic episcopacy.’If this is correct, we shall not distinguish, with Bp Ellicott, ‘the desolate and destitute widow’ of 1 Timothy 5:3-8 from ‘the ecclesiastical or presbyteral widow’ of 1 Timothy 5:9-16. More distinct and definite direction is given in 1 Timothy 5:10 for the selection of the widows who are described in general terms in 1 Timothy 5:5. A generation of Christian life has passed now since the loving undiscriminating ‘ministration’ of the first days. The very numbers of ‘Christian widows’ with varying character and circumstances, as well as the reasonableness of the thing itself, require the test of the past conduct, 1 Timothy 5:10, and the present life, 1 Timothy 5:5. ‘Charity organisation’ is the pastor’s duty.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 5:3

Honour widows - The particular attention and respect which are enjoined here, seem to refer to the class of widows who were supported by the church, and who were entrusted with the performance of

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:3

3. Honour—Rightly appreciate after due scrutiny. Widows indeed—Real and not spurious widows.

Sermons on 1 Timothy 5:3

	Sermon	Description
	Is It Wrong to Be Like Oprah? by Francis Chan	In the video, the speaker shares about their experience in Mexico where they went to serve and give to those in need. They describe how the church was alive and worshiped different
	Widows and Slaves Indeed by Art Katz	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of freedom and chains from a biblical perspective. He contrasts the idea of throwing off chains with the invitation to embrace th
	Have but One Eucharist by Ignatius of Antioch	Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of unity in faith and practice within the Church, highlighting the oneness of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, as well as the s
	Do Not Neglect Widows by Ignatius of Antioch	Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of caring for widows and slaves, urging believers to be their protectors and friends, seeking God's approval in all actions. He encour
	Widows and Slaves, Employers and Employees by Art Katz	Art Katz emphasizes the apostolic perspective on the roles of widows and slaves, illustrating that true reality is defined by one's relationship with God rather than social status.
	The Cain (Canon) of Adamnan by Adamnan of Iona	Kuno Meyer's sermon focuses on the ancient Irish law treatise known as the Cain Adamnan, believed to be the first Irish law to protect women, children, and clergy from violence. Th
	The Crucial Priority of a Minister by Gbile Akanni	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of prayer and the secret place in the life of a believer. He highlights the need for believers to be diligent in their prayer