1 Timothy 5:16
What does 1 Timothy 5:16 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 5:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 5:16 means
Believing women with widowed relatives should take the lead in relieving them so the church is not unduly burdened. This ensures that resources are available for “widows indeed,” those without family support. Paul’s instruction brings the theme full circle: family responsibility first, church support next. It honors personal duty and corporate compassion together. By specifying believing women, Paul likely addresses the typical caretakers in that culture, though the general principle of family obligation holds broadly. In this way the church’s charity remains focused, sustainable, and most effective for those who truly depend on it.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If any woman of the faith has relations who are widows, let her give them help, so that the care of them does not come on the church, and so it may give help to those who are truly widowed.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862If any believing man or believing woman have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the assembly be burdened, that those really widows it may relieve.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If any of the faithful have widows, let him minister to them, and let not the church be charged: that there may be sufficient for them that are widows indeed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If any believing man or woman have widows, let them impart relief to them, and let not the assembly be charged, that it may impart relief to those [that are] widows indeed.
Context
This verse concludes the section on widows, returning to the practical distribution of responsibility. Verses 3–15 defined who should be helped and why; verse 16 assigns first-line care to families where possible, preserving church aid for the destitute. With the widow policies complete, Paul shifts in the next verses to the honor and oversight of elders, including their support, protection from frivolous accusations, and discipline when necessary.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 5:3
Honor widows that are widows indeed.
- 1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
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