1 Timothy 5

Guidelines for Dealing With Other Christians

1 Never use harsh words when you correct an older man, but talk to him as if he were your father. Talk to younger men as if they were your brothers,

2 older women as if they were your mothers, and younger women as if they were your sisters, while keeping yourself morally pure.
3 Honor widows who have no families.

4 The children or grandchildren of a widow must first learn to respect their own family by repaying their parents. This is pleasing in God’s sight.
5 A widow who has no family has placed her confidence in God by praying and asking for his help night and day.6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead although she is still alive.7 Insist on these things so that widows will have good reputations.

8 If anyone doesn’t take care of his own relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the Christian faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Any widow who had only one husband and is at least 60 years old should be put on your list of widows.

10 People should tell about the good things she has done: raising children, being hospitable, taking care of believers’ needs, helping the suffering, or always doing good things.
11 Don’t include younger widows on your list. Whenever their natural desires become stronger than their devotion to Christ, they’ll want to marry.12 They condemn themselves by rejecting the Christian faith, the faith they first accepted.

13 At the same time, they learn to go around from house to house since they have nothing else to do. Not only this, but they also gossip and get involved in other people’s business, saying things they shouldn’t say.
14 So I want younger widows to marry, have children, manage their homes, and not give the enemy any chance to ridicule them.15 Some of them have already turned away to follow Satan.

16 If any woman is a believer and has relatives who are widows, she should help them. In this way the church is not burdened and can help widows who have no families.
17 Give double honor to spiritual leaderst who handle their duties well. This is especially true if they work hard at teaching the word of God.

18 After all, Scripture says, “Never muzzle an ox when it is threshingt grain,” and “The worker deserves his pay.”
19 Don’t pay attention to an accusation against a spiritual leader unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.

20 Reprimand those leaders who sin. Do it in front of everyone so that the other leaders will also be afraid.
21 I solemnly call on you in the sight of God, Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels to be impartial when you follow what I’ve told you. Never play favorites.22 Don’t be in a hurry to place your hands on anyone to ordain him. Don’t participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself morally pure.23 Stop drinking only water. Instead, drink a little wine for your stomach because you are frequently sick.24 The sins of some people are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment. The sins of others follow them there.

25 In the same way, the good things that people do are obvious, and those that aren’t obvious can’t remain hidden.

1 Timothy 5

1 Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren:2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.3 Honor widows that are widows indeed.4 But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.6 But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.7 These things also command, that they may be without reproach.8 But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.9 Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,10 well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.11 But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.13 And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:15 for already some are turned aside after Satan.16 If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire.19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses.20 Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.21 I charge thee in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.22 Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.23 Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.24 Some men’s sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after.25 In like manner also there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.