Devine Scripture

1 Timothy 5:9

What does 1 Timothy 5:9 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 5:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Timothy 5:9 means

Paul sets a minimum age—threescore years old—for enrollment on the church’s list of widows and requires marital faithfulness (“wife of one man”). The age limit reflects practical wisdom: older women are less likely to remarry and more likely to be truly dependent. The marital standard points to integrity and covenant loyalty, not perfection but a reputation for fidelity. Formal enrollment suggests ongoing support and perhaps service in prayer and good works. By setting boundaries, Paul protects the church from hasty commitments and preserves resources for those most appropriately helped, while honoring a lifetime of faithfulness in these women.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Let no woman be numbered among the widows who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the wife of one man,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

A widow--let her not be enrolled under sixty years of age, having been a wife of one husband,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Let a widow be put upon the list, being of not less than sixty years, [having been] wife of one man,

Context

With family responsibility stressed, Paul now specifies who may be placed on an official roll of church-supported widows. Verse 9 begins the concrete qualifications after the general principles. It introduces age and fidelity as baseline criteria, anticipating a fuller portrait in the next verse that focuses on a history of good works. These details move the discussion from ideals to administrable policy, ensuring fairness and wisdom in distribution.

v.8But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

v.9This passage

v.10well 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Timothy 5:11

    But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;

  • 1 Corinthians 7:10

    But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband

  • 1 Timothy 3:12

    Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

  • 1 Timothy 5:3

    Honor widows that are widows indeed.

  • 1 Timothy 3:2

    The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

  • 1 Corinthians 7:39

    A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

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