Honor Widows 1 Timothy 5:3

As Paul the apostle gave instructions to Timothy his “son in the faith” concerning the care for certain individuals within the church in Ephesus, he included “intreating elder men as fathers”, “younger as brothers”, “elder women as mothers” and “younger women as sisters with all purity”. In chapter five and verse three of his letter to Timothy, Paul gave direction for honoring “widows” where we read:

Honor widows that are widows indeed.

The verse begins, “Honor widows...” Paul began with the word, “Honor” which means “to estimate, fix the value, revere and venerate” “widows” who were “married women whose husbands had died”. When a woman who was married lost her husband through death, Timothy was to be sure to “value, revere and venerate” her within the church.

The verse continues, “...that are widows indeed”. Paul went on to add, “that are widows” which is the same Hebrew word “chera” as used for the single word “widow” and refers to “married women whose husbands had died” “indeed” or “truly, in reality, in point of fact, as opposed to what is pretended, fictitious, false and conjectural”. Evidently there were “widows” who only pretended to be so, and before Timothy was to minister to them, he was to be sure there was a true and real need for assistance.

The Hebrew phrase for this verse is “timeo chera chera ontos”, and by the repetition of the word “chera” we can see the importance Paul placed upon Timothy in this area. Women at that time were not able to work to support themselves as many today, so when a woman became a widow, she was often left in poverty and without any way of maintaining her life. The church was and is to be of assistance in this area. As we think through these words of Paul, perhaps we should think about those within the church who are “widows” and “widows indeed” who may need our help from time to time, and when we discover them, may the Lord Jesus remind us to “honor” and “revere” them in a manner that is well pleasing unto Him.

Next time Paul tells Timothy how family members are supposed to care for widows, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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