1 Timothy 5
The full text of 1 Timothy 5 in the Trinity Bible Version — clear modern English, translated from the original Greek. Free to read.
1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as you would to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
3 Honor widows who are truly widows.
4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should first learn to show godliness to their own family and to repay their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing in God's sight.
5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in petitions and prayers.
6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.
7 Give these instructions as well, so that no one may be open to blame.
8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 No widow may be put on the list unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,
10 and is well known for her good works: if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the Lord's people, helped those in trouble, and devoted herself to every good work.
11 As for younger widows, do not put them on the list. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they want to marry,
12 and so they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.
13 Besides that, they get into the habit of being idle, going from house to house. And not only do they become idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they should not.
14 So I want younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their households, and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.
15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan.
16 If any believing woman has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened, so that it can help those who are truly widows.
17 The elders who lead well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
18 For Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."
19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in front of everyone, so that the others may take warning.
21 I solemnly charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, to keep these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.
22 Do not be hasty in laying hands on anyone, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
24 The sins of some people are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; the sins of others trail behind them.
25 In the same way, good works are obvious, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
Translation notes (7)
- 1 Timothy 5:3a The Greek word tima, translated as 'honor' here, likely includes both showing respect and providing material support, as the following verses make clear.
- 1 Timothy 5:9a The Greek phrase henos andros gynē means 'a one-man woman.' This is the female counterpart of the phrase found in 3:2 and 3:12, meaning faithful to one husband or married only once.
- 1 Timothy 5:11a The Greek phrase katastrēniasōsin tou Christou means 'when they feel sensual desire against Christ.' This is a vivid and difficult verb that suggests passions pulling against their devotion to Christ.
- 1 Timothy 5:12a 'Their first pledge' (Greek tēn prōtēn pistin) may mean a prior commitment to remain a widow in the service of the church, or it may refer to their initial faith or pledge to Christ.
- 1 Timothy 5:16a The earliest manuscripts read 'any believing woman' (Greek pistē). Later manuscripts read 'any believing man or woman.' The shorter reading is adopted in this translation.
- 1 Timothy 5:17a 'Double honor' (Greek diplēs timēs) may mean increased respect, financial support (compensation), or both. The following verse points toward material support.
- 1 Timothy 5:20a The Greek phrase tous hamartanontas, meaning 'those who persist in sin,' could refer specifically to the offending elders or more generally to sinners; the link to the preceding verse is debated.
About this translation
The Trinity Bible Version (TBV) is a new translation of the Bible prepared by Trinity Bible AI — rendered from the original Greek and faithful to the earliest and most reliable manuscripts. Finished in 2026, it is the most modern English Bible translation you can read today, and it is available only through Trinity Bible. All 66 books, including 1 Timothy, are free to read on this site.
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