Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, July 27th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

New Living Translation

1 Timothy 5:4

But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Commandments;   Minister, Christian;   Widow;   Women;   Thompson Chain Reference - Children;   Duties;   Family;   Filial Honour;   Home;   Honour;   Lessons of Life;   Life;   Mothers;   Parents;   Religion;   Respect;   Worship;   Young People;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Children;   Widows;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Family;   Mission;   Widow;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Abortion;   Deacon, Deaconess;   Duty;   Teach, Teacher;   Wealth;   Widow;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Piety;   Widows;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Law;   Nephew;   Piety;   Widow;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Aging;   Nephew;   Piety;   Poor, Orphan, Widow;   Religion;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Nephew;   Widow;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Acceptance;   Eunice ;   Family;   Home;   Timothy and Titus Epistles to;   Widows;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Nephew;   Piety;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Deaconess;   Piety;   Widow;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Eunice;   Forefather;   Good;   Piety;   Widow;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.
King James Version (1611)
But if any widow haue children or nephewes, let them learne first to shew pietie at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
King James Version
But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
English Standard Version
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
New American Standard Bible
but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
New Century Version
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to do their duty to their own family and to repay their parents or grandparents. That pleases God.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
Legacy Standard Bible
but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
Berean Standard Bible
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
Contemporary English Version
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn to serve God by taking care of her, as she once took care of them. This is what God wants them to do.
Complete Jewish Bible
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, first let them learn to do their religious duty to their own family and thus repay some of the debt they owe their forebears, for this is what is acceptable in the sight of God.
Darby Translation
but if any widow have children or descendants, let them learn first to be pious as regards their own house, and to render a return on their side to [their] parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
Easy-to-Read Version
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, the first thing they need to learn is this: to show their devotion to God by taking care of their own family. They will be repaying their parents, and this pleases God.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But if any widowe haue children or nephewes, let them learne first to shewe godlinesse towarde their owne house, and to recompense their kinred: for that is an honest thing and acceptable before God.
George Lamsa Translation
And if any of the widows have children, or grandchildren, let them know that aid should be first sought from those of their own household so that the children have the opportunity to repay their obligations to their parents: for this is acceptable before God.
Good News Translation
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn first to carry out their religious duties toward their own family and in this way repay their parents and grandparents, because that is what pleases God.
Lexham English Bible
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to show profound respect for their own household first, and to pay back recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
Literal Translation
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to be godly to their own house and to make a return payment to their forebears, for this is good and pleasing before God.
Amplified Bible
But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.
American Standard Version
But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
Bible in Basic English
But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.
Hebrew Names Version
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
International Standard Version
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to respect their own family by repaying their parents, for this is pleasing in God's sight.Genesis 45:10-11; Matthew 15:4; Ephesians 6:1-2; 1 Timothy 2:3;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And if there be a widow who hath children, or children's children, let them learn first to do justly for their families, and to repay the debts (owing) to their parents; for this is acceptable before Aloha.
Murdock Translation
But if a widow hath children, or grandchildren, let them first learn to show kindness to their own households, and to repay the obligations to their parents; for this is acceptable before God.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But yf any wydowe haue chyldren or nephewes, let them learne first to rule their owne houses godly, and to recompence also their elder kynsefolkes: for that is good and acceptable before God.
English Revised Version
But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to shew piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
World English Bible
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
and to requite their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.
Weymouth's New Testament
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these learn first to show piety towards their own homes and to prove their gratitude to their parents; for this is well pleasing in the sight of God.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But if ony widewe hath children of sones, lerne sche first to gouerne her hous, and quyte to fadir and modir; for this thing is acceptid bifor God.
Update Bible Version
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
Webster's Bible Translation
But if any widow hath children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
New English Translation
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their duty toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them. For this is what pleases God.
New King James Version
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and [fn] acceptable before God.
New Life Bible
If a woman whose husband has died has children or grandchildren, they are the ones to care for her. In that way, they can pay back to their parents the kindness that has been shown to them. God is pleased when this is done.
New Revised Standard
If a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn their religious duty to their own family and make some repayment to their parents; for this is pleasing in God's sight.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Howbeit, if, any widow, hath, children or grandchildren, let them be learning - first, unto their own house, to be shewing reverence, and, returns, to be making unto their progenitors; for, this, is acceptable before God;
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let her learn first to govern her own house and to make a return of duty to her parents; for this is acceptable before God.
Revised Standard Version
If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn their religious duty to their own family and make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Yf eny wyddowe have chyldren or neves let them learne fyrst to rule their awne houses godly and to recompence their elders. For that is good and acceptable before God.
Young's Literal Translation
and if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to their own house to show piety, and to give back a recompense to the parents, for this is right and acceptable before God.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Yf eny wedowe haue children or neves, let them lerne first to rule their awne houses godly, and to recompence their elders. For yt is good & acceptable before God.
Mace New Testament (1729)
if a widow has children or grand-children, let them above all things instruct their own family to be religious, and let them be grateful to their parents, for this is acceptable to God.
Simplified Cowboy Version
But don't step in to help if her family should be doing it. If they ride for the brand, let them take care of their own, tell them to do this. This is how they should honor their mothers and fathers. And plus, God likes it too.

Contextual Overview

3 Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. 4 But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God. 5 Now a true widow, a woman who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. She prays night and day, asking God for his help. 6 But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives. 7 Give these instructions to the church so that no one will be open to criticism. 8 But those who won't care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. 9 A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband. 10 She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good? 11 The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry. 12 Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

nephews: Judges 12:14, *marg. Job 18:19, Isaiah 14:22

learn: 1 Samuel 22:3, 1 Samuel 22:4, Proverbs 31:28, Luke 2:51, John 19:26, John 19:27

piety: or, kindness, Matthew 15:4-6, Mark 7:11-13

to requite: Genesis 45:10, Genesis 45:11, Genesis 47:12, Genesis 47:28, Ruth 2:2, Ruth 2:18, Ephesians 6:1-3

good: 1 Timothy 2:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:7 - If thou doest well Proverbs 30:11 - doth Matthew 15:6 - honour Luke 7:12 - a widow Acts 6:1 - their Acts 28:10 - honoured Romans 12:1 - acceptable Romans 14:18 - is Ephesians 5:10 - acceptable 1 Timothy 5:3 - indeed 1 Timothy 5:8 - house 1 Timothy 5:9 - a widow 1 Timothy 5:16 - let them James 1:27 - Pure

Cross-References

Genesis 1:28
Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground."
Genesis 5:1
This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself.
Genesis 5:3
When Adam was 130 years old, he became the father of a son who was just like him—in his very image. He named his son Seth.
Genesis 5:7
After the birth of Enosh, Seth lived another 807 years, and he had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:10
After the birth of Kenan, Enosh lived another 815 years, and he had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:13
After the birth of Mahalalel, Kenan lived another 840 years, and he had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:19
After the birth of Enoch, Jared lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:22
After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:26
After the birth of Lamech, Methuselah lived another 782 years, and he had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:30
After the birth of Noah, Lamech lived another 595 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But if any widow have children or nephews,.... Such are not widows indeed; they are not desolate, or alone, or without persons to take care of them; their children or nephews should, and not suffer the church to be burdened with them. Wherefore it follows,

let them learn first to show piety at home; which some understand of the widows, who, instead of casting themselves upon the church for a maintenance, or taking upon them the office of a deaconess, to take care of others, should continue in their own families, and bring up their children and nephews in like manner as they have been brought up by their parents, which will be more pleasing and acceptable unto God; but it is better to interpret it of their children; and so the Ethiopic version expresses it, "let the children first learn to do well to their own house", or family. It is the duty of children to take care of their parents in old age, and provide for them, when they cannot for themselves: this is a lesson they ought to learn in the first place, and a duty which they ought principally to observe; they should not suffer them to come to a church for relief, but first take care of them themselves, as long as they are in any capacity to do it; and these should be their first care before any others; so to do is an act of piety, a religious action, a pious one; it is doing according to the will and law of God, and is well pleasing to him:

and to requite their parents; for all the sorrow, pain, trouble, care, and expenses they have been at in bearing and bringing them forth into the world, in taking care of them in their infancy, in bringing them up, giving them an education, providing food and raiment for them, and settling them in the world; wherefore to neglect them in old age, when incapable of providing for themselves, would be base ingratitude; whereas to take care of them is but a requital of them, or a repaying them for former benefits had of them:

for that is good and acceptable before God; it is good in itself, and grateful, and well pleasing in his sight; it is part of the good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God; and which, as other actions done in faith, is acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But if any widow have children - Who would be dependent on her care, and who might themselves contribute to her support.

Or nephews - The word nephew now commonly means the son of a brother or sister. Formerly the English word also meant grandchildren, or descendants of any description. Webster. The Greek word here - ἔκγονα ekgona - has the latter meaning. It denotes those “sprung from or born of;” and then descendants of any kind - sons, daughters, grandchildren. The Greek word would not, in fact, properly include nephews and nieces. It embraces only those in a direct line.

Let them learn first to show piety at home - Margin, “or kindness.” That is, let the children and grandchildren learn to do this. Let them have an opportunity of performing their duty toward their aged parent or grandparent. Do not receive such a widow among the poor and dependent females of the church, to be maintained at public expense, but let her children support her. Thus they will have an opportunity of evincing Christian kindness, and of requiting her for her care. This the apostle calls “showing piety” - εὐσεβεῖν eusebein - that is, “filial piety;” piety toward a parent by providing for the needs of that parent in advanced age. The word is commonly used to denote piety toward God, but it is also used to denote proper reverence and respect for a parent. Robinson.

And to requite their parents - To repay them, as far as possible, for all their kindness. This debt can never be wholly repaid, but still a child should feel it a matter of sacred obligation to do as much toward it as possible.

For that is good and acceptable before God - It is a duty everywhere enjoined; compare Matthew 15:5-7 notes; Ephesians 6:1-2 notes.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Timothy 5:4. But if any widow have children or nephews — This shows that widows indeed are those that have neither children nor nephews, i.e. no relatives that either will or can help them, or no near relatives alive.

Let them learn first to show piety at home — Let these children and nephews provide for their aged or helpless parents or relatives, and not burden the Church with them while they are able to support them.

And to requite their parents — Και αμοιβας αποδιδοναι τοις προγονοις· Let them learn to give benefit for benefit. Your parents supported and nourished you when you were young and helpless; you ought therefore to support them when they are old and destitute. This is called showing piety; and there is doubtless an allusion to the fifth commandment: Honour thy father and thy mother-provide for them in their old age and afflictions; God commands this.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile