Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

1 TIMOTHY 5:9KJV
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1 Timothy 5:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Timothy 5:9 mean?

1 Timothy 5:9 says that a widow should not be officially included among those receiving special care from the church unless she is at least sixty years old and has been the wife of only one man. This sets specific qualifications for widows who would be supported as part of an official church list.

Paul is writing to Timothy, a young church leader in Ephesus, giving him practical instructions about church life. In this verse, Paul is helping Timothy know which widows should be enrolled for ongoing church support, emphasizing both age and marital faithfulness as key criteria. This guidance is part of a larger section about caring for widows and maintaining order and fairness in the church community.

The Greek behind 1 Timothy 5:9

  • "Let...be taken into the number" (καταλεγέσθω, katalegesthō): This Greek word means to be enrolled or listed. It refers to an official recognition or registration, not just casual help, but a formal commitment from the church.
  • "Under threescore years old" (ἔλασσον ἑξήκοντα ἐτῶν, elasson hexēkonta etōn): "Threescore" means sixty, so the Greek phrase sets a clear age limit. This shows the church was to focus its long-term support on older widows who were less likely to remarry or support themselves.
  • "Wife of one man" (ἑνὸς ἀνδρὸς γυνή, henos andros gynē): This phrase is often understood as "faithful to her husband" or "married only once." It highlights a reputation for marital faithfulness, which was seen as important for those receiving church care.

Why 1 Timothy 5:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that not every widow in the church was automatically placed on the official list for ongoing support; there were specific qualifications.
  • The emphasis on age and marital faithfulness shows the church’s concern for both practical needs and personal character.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the wider passage, where Paul gives further instructions about caring for widows and the responsibilities of the church community.

Where else these words appear

“under” Greek G1640 · used in 4 verses

  • John 2:10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
  • Romans 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
  • Hebrews 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

“threescore” Greek G1835 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
  • Mark 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
  • Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

“widow” Greek G5503 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
  • Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

“old” Greek G2094 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
  • Luke 13:11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
  • Acts 24:17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.