The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy

⭑ Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 5 -

You should not rebuke an old man, but rather plead with him, as if he were your father; with young men, like brothers;

with old women, like mothers; with young women, in all chastity, like sisters.

Honoring True Widows

(Ruth 1:1–5)

Honor those widows who are true widows.

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let her first learn to manage her own household, and to fulfill, in turn, her own obligation to her parents; for this is acceptable before God.

But she who is truly a widow and is destitute, let her hope in God, and let her be urgent in supplications and prayers, night and day.

For she who is living in pleasures is dead, while living.

And give instruction in this, so that they may be beyond reproach.

But if anyone has no concern for his own, and especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith, and he is worse than an unbeliever.

Let a widow be chosen who is no less than sixty years of age, who was the wife of one husband,

who has testimony of her good works: whether she has educated children, or has provided hospitality, or has washed the feet of the saints, or has ministered to those suffering tribulation, or has pursued any kind of good work.

But avoid the younger widows. For once they have flourished in Christ, they will want to marry,

resulting in damnation, because they have disregarded the primacy of faith.(a)

And being at the same time also idle, they learn to go from house to house, being not only idle, but also talkative and curious, speaking of things which do not concern them.

Therefore, I want the younger women to marry, to procreate children, to be mothers of families, to provide no ready opportunity for the adversary to speak evil.

For certain ones have already been turned back to Satan.

If any among the faithful have widows, let him minister to them and not burden the Church, so that there may be enough for those who are true widows.

Honoring Elders

Let priests who lead well be held worthy of twice the honor, especially those who labor in the Word and in doctrine.

For Scripture says: “You shall not muzzle an ox as it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his pay.”

Do not be willing to accept an accusation against a priest, except under two or three witnesses.

Reprove sinners in the sight of everyone, so that the others may have fear.

A Charge to Timothy

I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect Angels, that you should observe these things without prejudgment, doing nothing which shows favoritism to either side.

You should not be quick to impose hands on anyone, nor should you take part in the sins of outsiders. Keep yourself chaste.

Do not continue to drink only water, but make use of a little wine, for the sake of your stomach and your frequent infirmities.

The sins of some men have been made manifest, preceding them to judgment, but those of others are manifested later.

Similarly, too, good deeds have been made manifest, but even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden.

Footnotes

(a)5:12 Their first faith:Their vow, by which they had engaged themselves to Christ.(Challoner)

Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;

the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

Honoring True Widows

(Ruth 1:1–5)

Honor widows who are widows indeed.

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is (a) acceptable in the sight of God.

Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.

Also command these things, that they may be without reproach.

But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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

being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.

But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.

Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.

For already some have turned away after Satan.

If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.

Honoring Elders

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.”(b) And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” (c)

Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses.

Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.

A Charge to Timothy

I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later.

In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.

Footnotes

(a)5:4 TR adds “good and”

(b)5:18 ℘ Deuteronomy 25:4