1 Timothy

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1 Timothy 5

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul tells Timothy to treat older and younger believers as family, then gives detailed instructions for caring for "widows indeed": families are to provide for their own, and the church is to relieve those who have no one. He says elders "that rule well" are worthy of "double honour," that an accusation against an elder needs "two or three witnesses," and that Timothy must act "without preferring one before another." 1 Timothy 5:11 Timothy 5:21 Timothy 5:31 Timothy 5:41 Timothy 5:161 Timothy 5:171 Timothy 5:191 Timothy 5:21

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Paul instructs Timothy about older and younger men and women, widows and their families, and elders who rule and labour "in the word and doctrine." 1 Timothy 5:11 Timothy 5:21 Timothy 5:31 Timothy 5:41 Timothy 5:17

Where

The church at Ephesus, where Timothy was leading. 1 Timothy overview

When

Traditionally written about AD 62-64. Many critical scholars date the letter later, around AD 80-110. 1 Timothy overview

How it fits

Chapter 4 told Timothy to be an example as a young leader; this chapter shows him how to treat each group in the church. Chapter 6 continues with servants and masters. 1 Timothy 4:121 Timothy 5:11 Timothy 6:11 Timothy overview

Key verses

Takeaway

Care for the needy in your own family first, so the church can help those who have no one, and treat leaders fairly: honour the faithful and judge accusations only on good witness. 1 Timothy 5:41 Timothy 5:161 Timothy 5:171 Timothy 5:191 Timothy 5:21

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-28.

Treat the church as family

1Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Caring for widows

3Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16If 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.

Honouring and correcting elders

17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. 24Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.