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.
1 TIMOTHY 5:4KJVWhat does 1 Timothy 5:4 mean?
1 Timothy 5:4 says that if a widow has children or grandchildren, those family members should first learn to show respect and care for her at home, repaying their parents or grandparents for what they have done. This is described as a good and pleasing thing in God's eyes.
In this verse, Paul is writing to Timothy about how the church should care for widows. Paul makes it clear that the primary responsibility for supporting widows belongs to their own families, not the church. The verse highlights the importance of family members showing practical care and gratitude to their elders, which was a valued part of life in the early Christian community.
The Greek behind 1 Timothy 5:4
- The word for "piety" is εὐσέβεια (eusebeia), which means reverence or respect, especially in a practical, everyday sense. Here, it emphasizes that honoring family is a real expression of devotion to God, not just a religious feeling.
- The phrase "requite their parents" uses ἀμοιβάς (amoibas), meaning to repay or return a favor. This underlines that caring for parents or grandparents is seen as paying back the care received as children.
- The word translated "acceptable" is ἀπόδεκτος (apodektos), which means something fully welcomed or pleasing. Paul stresses that God especially values this kind of family responsibility.
Why 1 Timothy 5:4 matters
- This verse clarifies that caring for elderly family members is not just a social duty but a spiritual one, seen as an act of worship and gratitude to God.
- It shows that the early church expected families to take the lead in supporting their own, reserving church resources for those truly without help.
- The verse connects practical family life with faith, teaching that everyday acts of kindness and responsibility are important to God.