The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

1 TIMOTHY 5:2KJV
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1 Timothy 5:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Timothy 5:2 mean?

1 Timothy 5:2 tells Timothy to treat older women in the church as he would treat his own mother, and younger women as he would treat his own sisters, always acting with complete purity. This guidance is about showing respect and maintaining appropriate boundaries in relationships within the Christian community.

Paul is writing to Timothy, a young church leader in Ephesus, giving him practical instructions for how to relate to different groups in the church. The verse stresses the importance of treating women with honor and care, using family language to set the tone for these relationships. The call for "all purity" highlights the need for Timothy to act above reproach, especially with younger women.

The Greek behind 1 Timothy 5:2

  • γυναῖκας (gynaikas, "women"): This word refers specifically to adult women, and the context makes clear Paul is talking about women in the church community.
  • μητέρας (mēteras, "mothers"): Paul uses the word for "mothers" to emphasize a nurturing, respectful attitude toward older women.
  • νεωτέρας (neōteras, "younger"): This word means "younger women," highlighting the age distinction and the need for special care in how Timothy interacts with them.
  • ἐν πάσῃ ἁγνείᾳ (en pasē hagneia, "with all purity"): The Greek phrase stresses not just purity in action, but in every aspect—thought, motive, and behavior—especially in Timothy’s interactions with younger women.

Why 1 Timothy 5:2 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that church leaders have special privileges in how they relate to others; instead, it calls for family-like respect and boundaries.
  • The emphasis on "all purity" shows that Paul is concerned not just with outward actions, but with the inner character and motives of those serving in the church.
  • 1 Timothy 5:2 connects to the wider passage where Paul gives Timothy practical advice for church life, showing that healthy relationships are foundational to a healthy church.

Where else these words appear

“purity” Greek G47 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

“younger” Greek G3501 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
  • Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
  • 1 Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

“sisters” Greek G79 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
  • Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
  • John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

“women” Greek G4245 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
  • Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
  • 1 Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;