1 Timothy 5:6
What does 1 Timothy 5:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 5:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 5:6 means
In contrast to the devout widow, the self-indulgent woman—one given over to pleasure—is “dead while she lives.” Though physically alive, her spiritual vitality is absent. Her priorities expose a heart turned inward, not upward. Paul warns that such a life is incompatible with dependence on God and disqualifies one from church support. The church’s resources should not underwrite a lifestyle that dishonors the Lord. This stark assessment is meant to awaken seriousness: comfort without godliness is no true life. Vital spirituality is seen not in ease but in a Godward posture, especially in hardship. Such discernment protects both the widow’s soul and the church’s testimony.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she is living.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and she who is given to luxury, living--hath died;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For she that liveth in pleasures is dead while she is living.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But she that lives in habits of self-indulgence is dead [while] living.
Context
Having described the godly widow in verse 5, Paul provides a foil: the pleasure-seeking woman who lacks spiritual life. This contrast clarifies the moral and spiritual criteria for support, not merely the economic ones. The next verse will instruct Timothy to command these standards, aiming for a blameless community. Together these verses shape a wise and compassionate policy: aid the truly needy and godly, while refusing to subsidize ungodliness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 15:13
And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.
- Job 21:11
They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.
- Luke 15:32
But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
- Matthew 8:22
But Jesus saith unto him, Follow me; and leave the dead to bury their own dead.
- Amos 6:5
that sing idle songs to the sound of the viol; that invent for themselves instruments of music, like David;
- Luke 16:19
Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:
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