1 Timothy 5

Treatment of Church Members

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

Honor True Widows

3 Honor widows who are really widows.4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.7 And these things command, that they may be blameless.8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.15 For some have already turned aside after Satan.16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

Honor the Elders

17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.18 For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain, and, The laborer is worthy of his wages.19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other peoples sins; keep yourself pure.23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomachs sake and your frequent infirmities.24 Some mens sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

1 TIMOTHY 5

How To Act //toward Others

1 Don't correct an older man. Encourage him, as you would your own father. Treat younger men as you would your own brother,

2 and treat older women as you would your own mother. Show the same respect to younger women that you would to your sister.
3 Take care of any widow who is really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn to serve God by taking care of her, as she once took care of them. This is what God wants them to do.

5 t A widow who is really in need is one who doesn't have any relatives. She has faith in God, and she keeps praying to him night and day, asking for his help.

6 A widow who thinks only about having a good time is already dead, even though she is still alive.
7 Tell all this to everyone, so they will do the right thing.

8 People who don't take care of their relatives, and especially their own families, have given up their faith. They are worse than someone who doesn't have faith in the Lord.
9 For a widow to be put on the list of widows, she must be at least 60 years old, and she must have been faithful in marriage.t

10 She must also be well-known for doing all sorts of good things, such as raising children, giving food to strangers, welcoming God's people into her home, t helping people in need, and always making herself useful.
11 Don't put young widows on the list. They may later have a strong desire to get married. Then they will turn away from Christ 12 and become guilty of breaking their promise to him.

13 Besides, they will become lazy and get into the habit of going from house to house. Next, they will start gossiping and become busybodies, talking about things that are none of their business.
14 I would prefer that young widows get married, have children, and look after their families. Then the enemy won't have any reason to say insulting things about us.

15 Look what's already happened to some of the young widows! They have turned away to follow Satan.

16 If a woman who is a follower has any widows in her family, shet should help them. This will keep the church from having that burden, and then the church can help widows who are really in need.

Church Leaders

18 t It is just as the Scriptures say, “Don't muzzle an ox when you are using it to grind grain.” You also know the saying, “Workers are worth their pay.”
19  t Don't listen to any charge against a church leader, unless at least two or three people bring the same charges.

20 But if any of the leaders should keep on sinning, they must be corrected in front of the whole group, as a warning to everyone else.

21 In the presence of God and Christ Jesus and their chosen angels, I order you to follow my instructions! Be fair with everyone, and don't have any favorites.

22 Don't be too quick to accept people into the service of the Lordt by placing your hands on them.
Don't sin because others do, but stay close to God.

23 Stop drinking only water. Take a little wine to help your stomach trouble and the other illnesses you often have.
24 Some people get caught in their sins almost at once, even before the time of judgment. But other people's sins don't show up until later. 25 It is the same with good deeds. Some are easily seen, but none of them can be hidden.