1 Timothy 5:4-7 - 1599 Geneva Bible
4 But if any widow have children or nephews let them learn first to show godliness toward their own house, and to recompense their kindred: for that is an honest thing, and acceptable before God.5 And she that is a widow indeed and left alone, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure, is dead, while she liveth.
7 These things therefore warn them of, that they may be blameless.
Heavenly Father, thank you for yet another day to praise Your name, and to live under Your righteousness. - Amen
Brethren:
Paul continues his statements concerning widows, to wit;
Let their families, IF they're able to do so, care for them, for this blesses both them, and themselves, and is pleasing to God.
True widows are the charitable obligation of the church and as such should receive care, for this is the duty of the church. Live life in godliness and prayer.
Those that care only for the carnal desires of this world are dead in Christ, and dead in sin.
R.P. Woitowitz Sr.
“Such are not widows indeed; they are not desolate, or alone, or without persons to take care of them; their children or nephews should, and not suffer the church to be burdened with them. Wherefore it follows, which some understand of the widows, who, instead of casting themselves upon the church for a maintenance, or taking upon them the office of a deaconess, to take care of others, should continue in their own families, and bring up their children and nephews in like manner as they have been brought up by their parents, which will be more pleasing and acceptable unto God; but it is better to interpret it of their children; and so the Ethiopic version expresses it, "let the children first learn to do well to their own house", or family. It is the duty of children to take care of their parents in old age, and provide for them, when they cannot for themselves: this is a lesson they ought to learn in the first place, and a duty which they ought principally to observe; they should not suffer them to come to a church for relief, but first take care of them themselves, as long as they are in any capacity to do it; and these should be their first care before any others; so to do is an act of piety, a religious action, a pious one; it is doing according to the will and law of God, and is well pleasing to him. and to requite their parents; for all the sorrow, pain, trouble, care, and expenses they have been at in bearing and bringing them forth into the world, in taking care of them in their infancy, in bringing them up, giving them an education, providing food and raiment for them, and settling them in the world; wherefore to neglect them in old age, when incapable of providing for themselves, would be base ingratitude; whereas to take care of them is but a requital of them, or a repaying them for former benefits had of them: For that is good and acceptable before God; it is good in itself, and grateful, and well pleasing in his sight; it is part of the good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God; and which, as other actions done in faith, is acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. But she that liveth in pleasure,.... Voluptuously, and deliciously; lives a wanton, loose, and licentious life, serving divers lusts and pleasures:, is dead while she liveth; is dead in trespasses and sins, while she lives in them; is dead morally or spiritually, while she lives a natural or corporeal life." - John Gill
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