1 Timothy 5:13
What does 1 Timothy 5:13 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 5:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 5:13 means
Paul observes that younger widows, if enrolled and supported, may fall into unhealthy patterns: idleness, wandering from house to house, gossip, and meddling. Dependency without fitting responsibilities can foster temptation. The concern is pastoral, not cynical: structure and calling are needed to channel energy toward edifying work. Paul’s warning recognizes how spare time and lack of direction can erode character and damage reputations. The church’s support should not subsidize habits that injure the body’s unity or the believer’s growth. This sober assessment steers ministry in a way that helps younger widows pursue fruitful paths rather than drift into harmful talk and distractions.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they get into the way of doing no work, going about from house to house; and not only doing no work, but talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others, saying things which they have no right to say.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and at the same time also, they learn <FI>to be<Fi> idle, going about the houses; and not only idle, but also tattlers and busybodies, speaking the things they ought not;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And withal being idle they learn to go about from house to house: and are not only idle, but tattlers also and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And, at the same time, they learn also [to be] idle, going about to people's houses; and not only idle, but also gossipers and meddlers, speaking things not becoming.
Context
After the moral concern of broken pledges (verse 12), Paul turns to practical behavioral risks accompanying financial support without appropriate calling. Verse 13 gives observable reasons for the earlier policy about younger widows. The next verse will offer a positive alternative—marriage, childbearing, and managing the home—that channels desire and energy into honorable service and shields the church from reproach. The flow is corrective, then constructive.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 10:7
And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
- 1 Peter 4:15
For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters:
- Acts 20:30
and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
- Acts 20:20
how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,
- Proverbs 20:19
He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.
- 3 John 1:10
Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.
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