1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy · Chapter 5

1 Timothy 5:9

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.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.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.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
9Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man,Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

This verse sits in Paul's instructions about caring for widows (5:3-16). He sets rules for which widows may be put on the church's list: those at least sixty, "the wife of one man," and known for good works (5:9-10). 1 Timothy 5:31 Timothy 5:91 Timothy 5:101 Timothy 5:161 Timothy overview

SpeakingPaul the apostle, who names himself as the writer of the letter. 1 Timothy overview

ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul had left to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy overview

Also involvedWidows in the church, especially older widows with no family to support them. Paul calls them "widows indeed." 1 Timothy 5:31 Timothy 5:41 Timothy 5:51 Timothy 5:16

A widow is not to be "taken into the number" unless she is at least sixty and has been "the wife of one man." The Greek word means to enroll, as on an official list. One lexicon suggests it may mean a recognized group or order of widows. 1 Timothy 5:9Strong's G2639Strong's G5503Strong's G1835

The church at Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia. 1 Timothy overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAAegean SeaEphesusLaodiceaMiletusPhilippiThessalonicaCorinth

The eventsThe instruction belongs to Timothy's work leading the Ephesian church after Paul went on to Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview

WrittenTraditional view: about AD 62-64, by Paul. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110 and think a follower wrote it in Paul's name, while others defend Paul's authorship and the earlier date. 1 Timothy overview

HerePaul wants the church's help to go to widows who truly have no one else. Families should care for their own, "that it may relieve them that are widows indeed." Younger widows are told to remarry instead of being enrolled. 1 Timothy 5:41 Timothy 5:81 Timothy 5:111 Timothy 5:141 Timothy 5:16

In the whole of ScriptureThe letter teaches Timothy how believers should conduct themselves in God's household. It holds that belief and behavior belong together, and that people given a recognized place in the church should have proven character. 1 Timothy overview

For readersThe verse shows a church taking practical care of vulnerable members. It also shows the church using clear, fair standards so that its help reaches those in real need. 1 Timothy 5:31 Timothy 5:91 Timothy 5:101 Timothy 5:161 Timothy 5:21

Christians read this differently

The text does not define "wife of one man." The phrase mirrors the rule for a bishop in 3:2, "the husband of one wife." Some Christians read it as married only once. Others read it as having been a faithful, one-man woman. 1 Timothy 5:91 Timothy 3:2Strong's G1520Strong's G0435H

  • taken into the number (enrol)καταλέγω
    Greek · katalegō · G2639

    The word means to choose out and enroll, as soldiers on a roll. The verse is about a formal church list, not about which widows deserve kindness in general. Strong's G26391 Timothy 5:9

  • widowχήρα
    Greek · chēra · G5503

    One lexicon notes that here the word may point to a member of an order of widows. That suggests a recognized group in the church, not just any woman whose husband has died. Strong's G5503

  • man (husband)ἀνήρ
    Greek · anēr · G0435H

    This word can mean a husband, so "one man" refers to her marriage. It is the counterpart to "one wife" in the bishop's qualifications. Strong's G0435H1 Timothy 3:2

Takeaway

This verse is a practical church rule for enrolling older, proven widows for the church's care. It belongs to Paul's wider point that families should provide for their own, so the church can help those who truly have no one. 1 Timothy 5:81 Timothy 5:91 Timothy 5:101 Timothy 5:16

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.

The world around the text

Behind this verse

Widows
There was no public pension; a widow depended on her family. The Law commanded care for the widow, and the early church had a daily distribution for widows. Augustus's marriage laws pressed widows under fifty to remarry within two years. Deuteronomy 14:29Deuteronomy 24:19-21Acts 6:1James 1:27Ulpian, Rules 14

About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68

    Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16

  • Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s

    Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203

  • Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66

    Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308

  • King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78

    Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23

What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia

    Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31

  2. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea

    Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17

  3. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica's revolt in Britain

    Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39

  4. c. AD 60-62
    The churchPaul under guard in Rome

    Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31

  5. c. AD 61-63
    DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile

    Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181

  6. AD 62
    The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem

    Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13

  7. AD 62 or 63
    DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii

    An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22

  8. c. AD 62
    DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines

    The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35

  9. c. AD 63-64
    BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished

    Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6

  10. July AD 64
    DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome

    Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38

  11. AD 64
    The churchNero blames and kills Christians

    To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2

  12. AD 65
    RulersA plot against Nero fails

    The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17

  13. AD 66
    WarThe Jewish revolt begins

    After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24

  14. AD 66-67
    BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth

    Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24

  15. c. AD 67
    The churchPaul's death in Rome

    In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25

  16. June AD 68
    RulersNero dies

    Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
A widowχήραchēraG5503
widow

χήρα (chēra) 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)

should ld be enrolκαταλεγέσθωkatalegesthōG2639
to enrol

καταλέγω (katalegō) κατα-λέγω [in LXX: Deu.19:16 (עָנָה), 2Ma.7:30 R * ;] 1. to lay down; mid. (in Hom.), to lie down. 2. to narrate (LXX, ll. with). 3. to choose out, hence, to enrol (as of soldiers, Hdt., Thuc., a1., see LS, see word): of widows, pass., 1Ti.5:9 (cf. Ellic.; CGT, in l).† (AS)

notμὴmēG3361
not

μή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. …

lessἔλαττονelattonG1640
lesser

ἐλάσσων (elassōn) ἐλάσσων (-ττων, Heb_7:7, WH, 1Ti_5:9), -ον (formed, with superl. ἐλάχιστος, from the epic ἐλαχύς, little, and serving as compar. of μικρός), [in LXX for מָעַט, etc. ;] less, in age, rank or quality: Jhn.2:19, Rom.9:12" (LXX), Heb.7:7; neut., -ον, adverbially: 1Ti.5:9.† (AS)

than years [old]ἐτῶνetōnG2094
year

ἔτος (etos) ἔτος, -ους, τό [in LXX for שָׁנֶה ;] a year: Luk.3:1, Heb.1:12, Rev.20:3, al.; ἔτη ἔχειν, Jhn.5:5 8:57; εἶναι, γίνεσθαι, ἐτῶν, Mrk.5:42, Luk.2:42, Act.4:22, 1Ti.5:9; dative pl. of space of time, Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; accusative, in ans. to how long? Mat.9:20, Mrk.5:25, Luk.2:36, Act.7:6, Heb.3:9, al.; preceded by a prep.: dim, Luk.8:43, Rom.15:23; διά, with genitive (see: διά), Act.24:17, Gal.2:1; ἐκ, Act.24:10; εἰς, Luk.12:19; ἐπί, with accusative, Act.19:10; μετά, with accusative, Gal.1:18 3:17; πρό, with genitive, 2Co.12:2; κατ᾽ ἔτος, yearly, Luk.2:41 …

sixtyἑξήκονταhexēkontaG1835
sixty

ἑξήκοντα (hexēkonta) ἑξήκοντα, οἱ, αἱ, τά indecl., sixty: Mat.13:8, 23, Mrk.4:8, 20, Luk.24:13, 1Ti.5:9, Rev.11:3 Rev.12:6 Rev.13:18.† (AS)

having beenγεγονυῖαgegonuiaG1096
to be

γίνομαι (ginomai) γίνομαι, Ion. and κοινή for Att. γίγν- (M. Pr., 47; Bl., §6, 8 Mayser, 166 f.), [in LXX chiefly for היה ;] 1. of persons, things occurrences, to come into being, be born, arise, come on: Jhn.1:15 8:58, 1Co.15:37; a first appearance in public, Mrk.1:4, Jhn.1:6, al.; before ἐκ (of birth), Rom.1:3, Gal.4:4; διά, Jhn.1:3; βροντή, Jhn.12:29; σεισμός, Rev.6:12; γογγυσμός, Act.6:1; χαρά, Act.8:8, many other similar exx.; ἡμέρα, Luk.22:66, al.; ὀψέ, Mrk.11:19; πρωΐα, Mat.27:1; νύξ, Act.27:27. …

of oneἑνὸςhenosG1520
one

εἷς (ehis) εἷς ιά, ἕν, genitive ἑνός, μιᾶς, ἑνός, cardinal numeral, one; 1. one, as opposite to many: Mat.25:15, Rom.5:12, 1Co.10:8, al.; as subst., Rom.5:15, Eph.2:14; id. with genitive partit., Mat.5:19, al.; before ἐκ (ἐξ), Mrk.14:18, Jhn.6:8, al.; metaphorically, of union and concord, Jhn.10:30 17:11, Rom.12:4-5, Php.1:27; ἀπὸ μιᾶς (B1., § 44, 1), Luk.14:18; with neg., εἷς. . . οὐ (μή), more emphatic than οὐδείς, no one, none (cl.), Mat.5:18 10:29, Luk.11:46 12:6. 2. Emphatically, to the exclusion of others; …

manἀνδρὸςandrosG0435H
man

ἀνήρ (anēr) ἀνήρ, ἀνδρός, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for אִישׁ, frequently אֱנוֹשׁ, also אָדָם, etc. ;] a man, Lat. vir. 1. As opposite to a woman, Act.8:12, 1Ti.2:12; as a husband, Mat.1:16, Jhn.4:16, Rom.7:2, Tit.1:6. 2. As opposite to a boy or infant, 1Co.13:11, Eph.4:13, Jas.3:2. 3. In appos. with a noun or adj., as ἀ. ἁμαρτωλός, Luk.5:8; ἀ. προφήτης, 24:19; frequently in terms of address, as ἀ. ἀδελφοί, Act.1:16; and esp. with gentilic names, as ἀ. Ἰουδαῖος, Act.22:3; ἀ. Ἐφέσιοι, 19:35. 4. In general, a man, a male person: = τις, Luk.8:41, Act.6:11. …

[the] wife,γυνή,gunēG1135H
woman

γυνή (gunē) γυνή, -αικός, ἡ, [in LXX for אִשָּׁה ;] 1. a woman, married or unmarried: Mat.11:11 14:21, al.; ὕπανδρος γ., Rom.7:2; γ. χήρα, Luk.4:26; in vocat., γύναι implies neither reproof nor severity, but is used frequently as a term of respect and endearment, Mat.15:28, Jhn.2:4, 4:21 19:26. 2. a wife: Mat.1:20, 1Co.7:3, 4 al.; γ. ἀπολύειν, Mrk.10:2, al.; γ. ἔχειν Mrk.6:18; γ. λαβεῖν, Mrk.12:19; γ. γαμεῖν, Luk.14:20. 3. a deaconess, 1Ti.3:11 (CGT, in l.). (AS)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.