1 Timothy 5:9

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1 Timothy 5:9 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man,

King James Version KJV

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

American Standard Version ASV

Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

Bible in Basic English BBE

Let no woman be numbered among the widows who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the wife of one man,

Free Bible Version FBV

Only widows over sixty who have been faithful to their husbands should be put on the list.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Let not a widow be taken into the number vnder three score yeere olde, that hath beene the wife of one husband,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

A widow — let her not be enrolled under sixty years of age, having been a wife of one husband,

World English Bible WEB

Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Let not a widow be taken into the number under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband.

Translation for Translators T4T

You have a list of widows who will do work for the congregation and receive money. Put women’s names on the list only if they are more than 60 years old, and if they were faithful to their husbands.

Plain English Version PEV

So you can make up a list. Write down the names of all the widows that the church has to help. But only put a widow on the list if she is over 60 years old, and only if she always stayed with her husband and never went off with another man.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Timothy 5:9

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

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 5:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK χηρα καταλεγεσθω μη ελαττον ετων εξηκοντα γεγονυια ενος ανδρος γυνη

χηρα chēra G5503 widow Noun-NSF

καταλεγεσθω katalegō G2639 to enrol Verb-PPM-3S

μη mē G3361 not Particle-N

ελαττον elassōn G1640 lesser Adj-NSN

ετων etos G2094 year Noun-GPN

εξηκοντα hexēkonta G1835 sixty Adj-NUI

γεγονυια ginomai G1096 to be Verb-2RAP-NSF

ενος ehis G1520 one Adj-GSM

ανδρος anēr G435 man Noun-GSM

γυνη gunē G1135 woman Noun-NSF

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Timothy 5:9

χηρα chēra G5503 "widow" Noun-NSF

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.

καταλεγεσθω katalegō G2639 "to enrol" Verb-PPM-3S

This word means to enroll or register someone, like a soldier or a widow, as seen in 1 Timothy 5:9. It involves officially recognizing or counting someone as part of a group. This concept is used in various contexts in the Bible.

Definition: 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)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: take into the number See also: 1 Timothy 5:9.

μη mē G3361 "not" Particle-N

Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.

Definition: 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. __3. In conditional and final sentences, after εἰ, ἐάν, ἄν, ἵνα, ὅπως: Mat.10:14, Mrk.6:11 12:19, Luk.9:5, Jhn.6:50, Rom.11:25, al. __4. C. inf. (see M, Pr., 234f., 239, 255), __(a) after verbs of saying, etc.: Mat.2:12 5:34, Mrk.12:18, Act.15:38, Rom.2:21, al.; __(b) with artic. inf.: after a prep., Mat.13:5, Mrk.4:5, Act.7:19, 1Co.10:6, al.; without a prep., Rom.14:13, 2Co.2:1, 13 1Th 4:6; __(with) in sentences expressing consequence, after ὥστε: Mat.8:28, Mrk.3:20, 1Co.1:7, 2Co.3:7, al. __5. C. ptcp. (see M, Pr., 231f., 239), in hypothetical references to persons of a certain character or description: Mat.10:28 12:30, Luk.6:49, Jhn.3:18, Rom.4:5, 1Co.7:38, 1Jn.3:10, al.; where the person or thing being definite, the denial is a matter of opinion: Jhn.6:64, 1Co.1:28 4:7, 18, 2Co.5:21, al.; where the ptcp. has a concessive, causal or conditional force, if, though, because not: Mat.18:25, Luk.2:45, Jhn.7:49, Act.9:26, Rom.2:14 5:13, 2Co.3:14, Gal.6:9, Ju 5; where the ptcp. has a descriptive force (being such as), not: Act.9:9, Rom.1:28, 1Co.10:33, Gal.4:8, Heb.12:27, al. __6. μή prohibitive, in indep. sentences, __(a) with subjc. praes., 1 of person(s) pl.: Gal.5:26 6:9, 1Th.5:6, 1Jn.3:18; __(b) with imperat. praes., usually where one is bidden to desist from what has already begun (cf. M, Pr., 122ff.): Mat.7:1, Mrk.5:36, Luk.6:30, Jhn.2:16 5:45, Act.10:15, Rom.11:18, Jas.2:1, Rev.5:5, al.; __(with) forbidding that which is still future: with imperat. aor., 3 of person(s), Mat.24:18, Mrk.13:15, Luk.17:31, al.; with subjc. aor., 2 of person(s), Mat.3:9 10:26, Mrk.5:7, Luk.6:29, Jhn.3:7, Rom.10:6, al.; __(d) with optative, in wishes: 2Ti.4:16 (LXX); μὴ γένοιτο (see M, Pr., 194; Bl., §66, 1), Luk.20:16, Rom.3:3, al.; μή τις, Mrk.13:5, al. __II. As a conj., __1. after verbs of fearing, caution, etc., that, lest, perhaps (M, Pr., 192f.): with subjc. praes., Heb.12:15; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:4, Mrk.13:5, Luk.21:8, Act.13:40, Gal.5:15, al.; ὅρα μή (see M, Pr., 124, 178), elliptically, Rev.19:10 22:9; with indic, fut. (M, Pr., l.with), Col.2:8. __2. in order that not: with subjc. aor., Mrk.13:36, 2Co.8:20 12:6. __III. Interrogative, in hesitant questions (M, Pr., 170), or where a negative answer is expected: Mat.7:9, 10, Mrk.2:19, Jhn.3:4, Rom.3:3 10:18, 19, 1Co.1:13, al.; μή τις, Luk.22:35, al.; before οὐ (Rom.10:17, al. in Pl.), expecting an affirm, ans.; οὐ μή, Luk.18:7, Jhn.18:11. __IV. οὐ μή as emphatic negation (cf. M, Pr., 188, 190ff.; Bl. §64, 5), not at all, by no means: with indic, fut., Mat.16:22, Jhn.6:35, Heb.10:17, al.; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:2, Mrk.13:2, Luk.6:37, Jhn.13:8, 1Co.8:13, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 910 NT verses. KJV: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 1:8.

ελαττον elassōn G1640 "lesser" Adj-NSN

Lesser refers to something or someone that is smaller or inferior in size, quantity, age, or quality, as seen in John 2:19 and Romans 9:12. This term is used to compare things or people, highlighting their differences.

Definition: 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)

Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: less, under, worse, younger See also: 1 Timothy 5:9; John 2:10; Hebrews 7:7.

ετων etos G2094 "year" Noun-GPN

This word refers to a year, like in Luke 3:1 where it says Jesus was baptized in the 15th year of Tiberius' rule. It is also used in Revelation 20:3 to describe a period of time.

Definition: 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 SYN.: ἐνιαυτός, which see; cf. LS, see word ἐνιαυτός (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 48 NT verses. KJV: year See also: 1 Timothy 5:9; Luke 2:37; Hebrews 1:12.

εξηκοντα hexēkonta G1835 "sixty" Adj-NUI

The number sixty, as in Matthew 13:8 and Revelation 11:3, where it is used to describe quantities or measurements.

Definition: 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)

Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: sixty(-fold), threescore See also: 1 Timothy 5:9; Matthew 13:8; Revelation 11:3.

γεγονυια ginomai G1096 "to be" Verb-2RAP-NSF

A versatile word meaning to be, become, or come into being, used in John 1:15 and 1 Corinthians 15:37.

Definition: 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. __2. Of events, to come to pass, take place, happen: Mat.5:18, Mrk.5:14, Luk.1:20 2:15, Act.4:21, 2Ti.2:18, al.; μὴ γένοιτο [LXX for חָלִילָה, Jhn.22:29, al.], far be it, God forbid: Rom.3:4 (ICC, in l.), 1Co.6:15 and frequently in Pl.; καὶ ἐγένετο, ἐγένετο δέ ([in LXX for וַיְהִי ;] see Burton, 142 f.; M, Pr., 16f.; Dalman, Words, 32 f.; Robertson, Gr., 1042 f.), with indic, Mat.7:28, Luk.1:8, al.; before καί and indic., Luk.8:1, Act.5:7, al.; with accusative and inf., Mrk.2:23, Luk.3:21, al.; ὡς δὲ ἐγένετο, before τοῦ with inf., Act.10:25; with dative of person(s), to befall one: with inf., Act.20:16; with accusative and inf., Act.22:6; with adv., εὖ, Eph.6:3; τ́ ἐγένετο αὐτῷ (Field, Notes, 115), Act.7:40 (LXX); before εἰς, Act.28:6. __3. to be made, done, performed, observed, enacted, ordained, etc.: Mat.6:10 19:8, Mrk.2:27 11:23, Act.19:26, al.; before διά with genitive, Mrk.6:2, Act.2:43; ὑπό, Luk.13:17; ἐκ, Luk.4:23; ἐν, 1Co.9:15; ἀπογραφή, Luk.2:2; ἀνάκρισις Act.25:26; ἄφεσις, Heb.9:22; ὁ νόμος, Gal.3:17; τὸ πάσχα, Mat.26:2. __4. to become, be made, come to be: with pred., Mat.4:3, Luk.4:3, Jhn.2:9, 1Co.13:11, al.; before ὡς, ὡσεί, Mat.10:25, Mrk.9:26; εἰς (M, Pr., 71f.), Mrk.12:1o, al.; with genitive Rev.11:15; id., of age, Luk.2:42; with dative, γ. ἀνδρί ([LXX for הָיָה לְאִישׁ, Rut.1:12, al. ;] see Field, Notes, 156), Rom.7:3, 4; before ἐν, Act.22:17, Rev.1:10, al.; ἐπάνω, Luk.19:19; μετά, with genitive, Mrk.16:[10], Act.9:19; before εἰς, ἐπί (Field, Notes, 135), κατά (ib., 62), with accusative of place, Act.20:16 21:35 27:7, al.; before ἐκ, Mrk.9:7, Luk.3:22, 2Th.2:7, al. Aoristic pf. γέγονα (M, Pr., 52, 145f.; Field, Notes, 1f.), Mat.25:6, Luk.10:36, al. Aor. ἐγενήθη (for ἐγένετο, M, Pr., 139f.; Mayser, 379), Mat.11:23, al. (Cf. απο-, δια-, επι-, παρα-, συμ-, παρα-, προ-.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 637 NT verses. KJV: arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought See also: 1 Corinthians 1:30; Acts 5:5; 1 Peter 1:15.

ενος ehis G1520 "one" Adj-GSM

The Greek word for one, used to describe unity or agreement, as seen in John 10:30 and Romans 12:4-5. It emphasizes oneness and togetherness. This concept is key in Christian teachings.

Definition: 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; __(a) a single (one): Mat.21:24, Mrk.8:14; absol., 1Co.9:24, al.; οὐδὲ εἷς, Mat.27:14, Jhn.1:3, Rom.3:10, al.; __(b) one, alone: Mrk.2:7 10:18, Luk.18:19; __(with) one and the same: Rom.3:30, 1Co.3:8 11:5 12:11, 1Jn.5:8. __3. In late Gk., with weakened force, = τις or indef. art. (of. Heb. אֶחָד, Gen.22:13, al.; see B1., § 45, 2; M, Pr., 96 f.): Mat.8:19 19:6, Rev.8:13, al.; εἷς τις (Bl., l.with), Luk.22:50, Jhn.11:49 __4. Distributively: εἷς καστος (cl.), Luk.4:40, Act.2:6, al.; εἷς . . . καὶ εἷς (cl., εἷς μὲν . . . εἷς δέ), Mat.17:4, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.20:12, al. (cf. LXX and use of Heb. אֶחָד, Exo.17:12, al); ὁ εἷς . . . ὁ ἕτερος (ἄλλος) = cl. ὁ μὲν (ἕτερος) . . . ὁ δέ (ἕτερος), Mat.6:24, Luk.7:41, Rev.17:10; καθ᾽ εἷς, εἷς κ. είς (in which καθ᾽ is adverbial, or the expression formed from the analogy of ἕν καθ᾽ ἔν; M, Pr., 105), one by one, severally: Mrk.14:19, Rom.12:5, al.; εἷς τὸν ἕνα = ἀλλήλους (B1., 45, 2; M, Pr., 246), 1Th.5:11. __5. As ordinal = πρῶτος (like Heb. אֶחָד; Bl., § 45, 1; M, Pr., 95 f.), first: Mat.28:1, Mrk.16:2, al (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 291 NT verses. KJV: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some See also: 1 Corinthians 3:8; John 12:4; Hebrews 2:11.

ανδρος anēr G435 "man" Noun-GSM

A man in the Bible refers to an adult male, often in contrast to a woman or child. It can also describe a husband, as seen in Matthew 1:16 and Romans 7:2. The term is used to address or describe individuals, such as a prophet or brother.

Definition: 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. SYN.: ἄνθρωπος, which see (cf. MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 192 NT verses. KJV: fellow, husband, man, sir See also: 1 Corinthians 7:2; Acts 18:24; 1 Peter 3:1.

γυνη gunē G1135 "woman" Noun-NSF

A woman, either married or unmarried, and sometimes specifically a wife, as in Matthew 11:11 and Romans 7:2. This term is also used as a term of respect and endearment.

Definition: 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)

Usage: Occurs in 200 NT verses. KJV: wife, woman See also: 1 Corinthians 5:1; Luke 4:26; 1 Peter 3:1.

Study Notes — 1 Timothy 5:9

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Timothy 5:9 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Timothy 5:9
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 5:9
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9
Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 5:9
Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 5:9
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9
Sermons on 1 Timothy 5:9

Context — Honoring True Widows

7Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach. 8If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, faithful to her husband,

10and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work. 11But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Timothy 3:2	An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
2	1 Timothy 5:11	But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,
3	Luke 2:36–37	There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
4	1 Corinthians 7:39–40	A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord. In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
5	1 Timothy 3:12	A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
6	1 Corinthians 7:10–11	To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
7	1 Timothy 5:14	So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
8	1 Timothy 5:3–4	Honor the widows who are truly widows. 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.

1 Timothy 5:9 Summary

This verse explains that a widow should be at least sixty years old and have been faithful to her husband to be eligible for support from the church. This is because the church wants to make sure that it is helping those who are truly in need and cannot support themselves. As seen in Acts 6:1-6, the church has a responsibility to care for widows and provide for their needs, and by enrolling them, the church can recognize their value and contribution. By following this guideline, the church can ensure that it is using its resources wisely and helping those who are most vulnerable, as taught in James 1:27.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Bible specify that a widow should be at least sixty years old to be enrolled?

This age requirement may be in place to ensure that the widow is truly in need and not likely to remarry, as seen in 1 Timothy 5:11, where younger widows are refused enrollment because they may want to marry again, as also warned in 1 Corinthians 7:39.

What does it mean to be 'the wife of one man' in this context?

This phrase suggests that the widow has been faithful to her husband during their marriage and has not been divorced or remarried, as taught in Romans 7:2-3 and 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, emphasizing the importance of marital fidelity and commitment.

How does this verse relate to the church's responsibility towards widows?

This verse highlights the church's role in caring for widows who are truly in need, as commanded in James 1:27 and Acts 6:1-6, demonstrating the importance of providing for those who are vulnerable and cannot provide for themselves.

What is the purpose of enrolling widows in the church?

The purpose of enrolling widows is to provide them with financial and spiritual support, as they are no longer able to support themselves, and to recognize their value and contribution to the church, as seen in 1 Timothy 5:10, where their good deeds are highlighted.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can demonstrate my care and concern for widows in my community, as taught in James 1:27?
How can I ensure that I am providing for my own family, as commanded in 1 Timothy 5:8, and not leaving them in a vulnerable position?
What are some good deeds that I can do to serve others, as mentioned in 1 Timothy 5:10, and how can I be more intentional about serving those in need?
How can I balance my desire to help others with the need to prioritize my own family's needs, as seen in 1 Timothy 5:8?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Timothy 5:9

Let not a widow be taken into the number,.... That is, of widows, to be maintained by the church; though some choose to understand these words of the number of such who were made deaconesses, and had

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 5:9

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 'As a widow (i:e., of the ecclesiastical order of widowhood: a female presbytery), let none be

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9

Let not a widow be taken, into the number under threescore years old; what number he meaneth is very doubtful, whether he means the number of deaconesses, or the number of such as should receive alms from the church. Those who translate katalegesyw here chosen seem to favour the former. They say, that in the primitive church there being a want of hospials and public places for the reception of people deceased in their estates, &c., they chose some old widows to take care of the poorer sort of women when they were sick, and these also were themselves maintained by the church, and served the church in that charitable employment. Whether this number, or the more general number of widows relieved by the church, be meant, the caution of their age was very prudent: 1. Because younger widows could work for their living, and needed not to burden the church. 2. Because under those years they probably might marry again, and so become useless to the church. 3. Because after those years there could be no great fear of scandal from their wantonness and incontinency. Having been the wife of one man: this condition seems harder to be understood; for though in former times, amongst the Jews and pagans, men were allowed more wives than one at the same time, yet no laws ever allowed the woman liberty of more husbands. 2. To understand it of women that had not been twice married, their first husbands being dead, seems hard, no law of God forbidding the second marriages of men and women successively. 3. Some therefore rather understand it of such widows as were become wives to second husbands, the first not being dead, but parted from them legally, either through their own fault, or through their voluntary desertion. This the apostle seems to forbid, to avoid reproach and scandal to the church.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9

9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Ver. 9. The wife of one man] As Anna, Luke 2:36. Such are held to be more modest, to whom the thought of death hath been enough to forbid the banns of second marriage.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9

(9) Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old.—The question respecting the assistance to be afforded to the poor and destitute widows of the great Asian Church reminded St. Paul of an organisation, consisting of widowed women, which had grown out of the needs of Christianity. He would lay down some special rules here to be observed by his friend and disciple. What, now, is this organisation commended to Timothy in these special directions? Here, and here only in the New Testament, do we find it alluded to; but the instructions in this passage are so definite, so precise, that it is impossible not to assume in the days of Timothy and of Paul, in some, if not in all the great churches, the existence of an official band of workers, consisting of widows, most carefully selected from the congregation of believers, of a somewhat advanced age, and specially distinguished for devotion—possessing, each of these, a high and stainless reputation—they were an official band of workers, a distinct order, so to speak; for these widows, formally entered on the Church’s list, could not possibly represent those poor and desolate widows, friendless and destitute, spoken of above. The minimum age of sixty years would also exclude many; and the advice of St. Paul to the younger ones to marry again could never have been addressed to women wanting even many years of the requisite “sixty.” Were these poor souls to be formally shut out from receiving the Church’s alms? Again, those on the list could never be the same persons whom we hear of as deaconesses (Romans 16:1, and in the Christian literature of the second century). The active duties of the office would have been utterly incompatible with the age of sixty, the minimum age at which these were to be entered on the list. We then conclude these “widows” were a distinct and most honourable order, whose duties, presbyteral rather than diaconic, apparently consisted in the exercise of superintendence over, and in the ministry of counsel and consolation to, the younger women.—That they sat unveiled in the assemblies in a separate place by the presbyters; that they received a special ordination by laying on of hands; that they wore a peculiar dress—were distinctions probably belonging to a later age. Having been the wife of one man.—Of the conditions of enrolment in this “order,” the first—that of age—has been alluded to; the second—“having been the wife of one man”—must not be understood in the strictly literal sense of the words. It is inconceivable that the hope of forming one of the highly honoured band of presbyteral women depended on the chance of the husband living until the wife had reached the age of sixty years. Had he died in her youth, or comparative youth, the Apostle’s will was that the widow should marry again. (See 1 Timothy 5:14, where St.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9

Verse 9. Taken into the number] Let her not be taken into the list of those for which the Church must provide. But some think that the apostle means the list of those who were deaconesses in the Church; and that no widow was to be admitted into that rank who did not answer to the following character. See note on 1 Timothy 5:10. Under threescore years] As it might be supposed that, previously to this age, they might be able to do something towards their own support. See note on 1 Timothy 5:10. Having been the wife of one man] Having lived in conjugal fidelity with her husband; or having had but one husband at a time; or, according to others, having never been but once married. But the former is the opinion of some of the most eminent of the Greek fathers, and appears to be that most consistent with the scope of the place, and with truth.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 5:9

9. More definite direction is now given as to the honour and the qualification, Let not a widow be taken into the number. The position of the word ‘widow’ at the beginning of the sentence makes it probably part of the predicate, as R.V., Let none be enrolled as a widow. A roll or catalogue of widows for whom the alms of the Church were bespoken existed from the very first, Acts 6 and has been the care of each Church and each parish to a greater or less extent to the present day under varying forms and conditions:—the least satisfactory arrangement on a large scale being the provision made by Christian England of ‘The House’; the most satisfactory being the pleasant almshouses dotted over the country, and the pension moneys from our Church alms taken month by month as from Christ with delicate attention by our deacon curates themselves to the cottage homes. Those who have had to select from such a list in a parish will have found the hints for selection given here very useful and necessary; (1) ascertained impossibility of support from relatives; (2) good moral character as wife and widow; (3) a defined period for ‘old age’; (4) reputation as a good mother, a kind neighbour, a zealous Church worker.under threescore years old] Lit. ‘who is found to be less than 60 years old,’ the participle belonging to the previous clause, according to the general usage: cf. Luke 2:42, ‘when he was twelve years old.’having been the wife of one man] ‘Having been,’ if retained should be put as by R.V. in italics, marking it as an English insertion; the phrase ‘wife of one man’ is precisely the same as in 1 Timothy 3:2, where see note. The clear and indisputable meaning here of the words is that of having been faithful to one husband all his lifetime instead of leaving him for another or adding another, ‘no bigamist or adulteress.’ She is to be ‘enrolled’ as such. Many of the N.T. exhortations on this point are startling to us as implying even in the circle of Christians very lax principles and habits still. And yet English ministerial knowledge could tell of many startling views and habits that prevail among us now in respect of the sanctity and purity of the married state. It is no ‘counsel of perfection’ but the plain elementary pledge ‘to live together—till death’s parting—after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony,’ that St Paul here commends. And it still needs much commending.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 5:9

Let not a widow be taken into the number - Margin, “chosen.” The margin expresses the sense of the Greek more accurately, but the meaning is not materially different.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:9

9. First, the required age. Taken into the number—Of Church widows, to be supported by contributions.

Sermons on 1 Timothy 5:9

	Sermon	Description
	(Gifts) the Gift of Help by Dwight Pentecost	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and meeting the needs of others. He shares a personal experience of visiting a pastor's home where he felt burd
	(Titus - Part 7): Qualifications for Church Leadership I by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the church being a separate and distinct entity from the world. He urges the church to not conform to the moral standards
	How to Identify a False Cult by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of judgment and the role of Jesus in preaching to those who have died. He emphasizes that God treats every human being as an inte
	Missions and Your Family by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the speaker shares a story set in first century Christianity, where an elder is thrown into prison by the Roman guard. The speaker then reflects on his experiences
	Ger-18 the Kingdom of God by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the warm reception he always receives from the audience. He acknowledges that he may have already shared everything h
	Divorce and Remarriage by David Pawson	This sermon addresses the sensitive topic of divorce and remarriage from a biblical perspective. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and applying the teachings of Jesus o
	Glory of Christ's Priesthood Contrasted With the Immorality of the Rc Priesthood by Richard Bennett	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the corruption and issues within American seminaries and the Catholic Church. They highlight the prevalence of doctrinal error, liturgical abu