And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

1 TIMOTHY 5:7KJV
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1 Timothy 5:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Timothy 5:7 mean?

1 Timothy 5:7 tells Timothy to command the church to follow certain instructions so that no one can find fault with them. The goal is for the community to be above reproach in how they live and treat others.

Paul is writing to Timothy, a young church leader in Ephesus, giving him practical guidance about caring for widows and managing church life. In this verse, Paul is urging Timothy to clearly teach these guidelines so that the believers’ conduct will not give anyone a reason to criticize them. The focus is on maintaining a good reputation and integrity within the church and before outsiders.

The Greek behind 1 Timothy 5:7

  • παραγγέλλω (parangellō, "give in charge" or "command"): This word carries the sense of giving a direct, authoritative instruction, not just a suggestion. Paul wants Timothy to speak with clarity and seriousness.
  • ἄμεμπτος (amemptos, "blameless"): This word means being free from blame or accusation. The emphasis is on living in such a way that no one can rightly criticize or accuse the church of wrongdoing.

Why 1 Timothy 5:7 matters

  • This verse highlights Paul’s concern for the church’s reputation, showing that how believers live together affects how others see the faith.
  • It clarifies that Timothy’s role is not just to suggest but to firmly instruct the church, especially on sensitive matters like caring for widows.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that practical, everyday actions—like supporting those in need—are central to living out faith in a way that is above criticism.

Where else these words appear

“blameless” Greek G423 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
  • 1 Timothy 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

“charge” Greek G3853 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
  • Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
  • 1 Corinthians 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

“be” Greek G5600 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
  • John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: