1 Timothy 5
1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat [him] as a father; [and] the younger men as brethren;
Don't rebuke a man who is older than you. Instead, encourage him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers,
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with the highest standards of decency.
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
Help widows who don't have a family.
4 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.
For the Christian responsibility of a widow's children or grandchildren is to do their duty for their own family, and repay their parents by helping them out. This is what pleases God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
Now a real widow, having no family, alone and without support, puts her hope in God and prays for help night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
But a widow who concentrates on pleasing herself is already dead, even though she's still physically alive.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
Give people these instructions so that they will be above criticism.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
But those who don't look after their relatives, especially their own family, have denied their beliefs, and are worse than those who don't believe.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
Only widows over sixty who have been faithful to their husbands should be put on the list.
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
The widow should have a reputation for doing good. Did she bring up children properly? Has she been hospitable? Has she washed the feet of church members? Has she helped those who were in trouble? Has she really tried to do good in every way?
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
Don't take on widows who are younger, because when their physical desires make them want to re-marry they abandon their dedication to Christ.
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
In this they are guilty of breaking their previous commitment.
13 And withal they learn [to be] idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
They also get used to a lazy life, just visiting each other in their homes. Not only lazy, but they gossip and meddle, talking about things they shouldn't.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
So my best advice is that younger widows marry and have children and take care of the home. That way there's no opportunity for criticism from the Enemy.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
However, some have already gone the way of Satan.
16 If 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.
Any Christian woman who has widows in the family should help them, so that the church is not burdened with the responsibility, and can help those widows who are truly in need.
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Elders who direct the church well should be seen as doubly valuable, particularly those who work in speaking the Word and in teaching.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward.
As Scripture says, “Don't muzzle the ox when it's threshing out the grain.” Also, “The worker deserves to be paid.”
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Don't entertain any accusation against an elder unless two or three witnesses support it.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Censure those who sin in front of everyone as a warning to others as well.
21 I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Before God and Christ Jesus, and the holy angels, I instruct you to follow these instructions without bias. Don't do anything from an attitude of favoritism.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
Don't be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone; and don't get involved in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
Don't just drink water, but use a little bit of wine because of your bad stomach—you're sick so often!
24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some [men] they follow after.
The sins of some people are really obvious, and they are clearly guilty, but the sins of others are not seen until later.
25 Likewise also the good works [of some] are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise can not be hid.
Similarly some good works are obvious, and even those that are hidden won't be for long.
