9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.” (1 Timothy 5:9–10 (ESV)
As is the case with most problems facing a local church, the care of widows can become complicated and filled with exceptions. Rarely will a widow have no existing family members, but what if she doesn’t? Is a widow in this particular circumstance immediately qualified to receive financial assistance from her church? If so, then for how long? Does she have a fixed and regular income from either a pension, personal retirement investments, or government assistance? If so, does this then preclude her receiving assistance from her church?
“Paul is not giving precise instructions for every single possible interaction the church might have with widows in 1 Timothy 5:3–16. As is common in Scripture, he offers principles to be applied wisely in circumstances the apostle does not address directly,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“For example, Paul lays the primary responsibility for widow care upon the woman’s relatives if they have the means to help her (vv. 3–8). Yet some widows will have family members who are able to help them but are not willing to do so. Would it be right for the church to do nothing in these situations? Of course not, for the spirit of Paul’s teaching is to make sure that the truly needy receive aid. The poor widow who has family able but unwilling to help is truly needy, and the church must assist her.”
However, the apostle does provide his young protégé some general guidelines. These prove helpful, then and now, for evaluating whether a widow meets the biblical qualifications for financial assistance from her local church.
First, “Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age.” To be enrolled (καταλεγέσθω; katalegestho) means to be placed on a list. In this particular case, the list of widows receiving assistance. Why the age of sixty? “Sixty” was a Jewish figure for the beginning of old age.” [1]
Second, “having been the wife of one husband,” This probably refers to the woman having been a faithful wife to her husband. “Some scholars think that the “wife of one man” may allude to the ancient ideal of remaining faithful to one’s former husband after death by not remarrying; but the more popular ideal in this period was remarrying quickly (cf. 1 Tim 5:14). Another use of a related term is more likely: many husbands praised wives who had been “one-man wives,” meaning faithful and good wives. In view of 3:2, 12 (there was no ancient ideal that husbands not remarry), and 5:14, Paul must simply mean “faithful and good wives.”[2]
Third, “having a reputation for good works.” The widow must have a public testimony evidencing a praiseworthy ministry of workmanship. For her to be qualified to receive a good work from the church, she must be someone who has been, and will be, a doer of good works for her church and others.
Paul provided examples of what a widow’s good works have been and could be. They include, but are not limited to, the following: “if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.”
“But even though widows permanently supported by the church were unable to do certain kinds of labor, Paul clearly does not expect them to be idle. The host of characteristics we read in verse 10 describe women who are known for their hospitality and generosity, and implies that widows who are to be perpetually supported by the church are those that might be called upon to serve others in these capacities even in their old age. This is exactly how the earliest Christians read this passage, and for the first few centuries there were orders of widows who in exchange for support from the church taught new female converts, cared for the sick and orphaned, and fasted and prayed regularly,” continues Dr. Sproul.
Puritan commentator Matthew Henry writes, “Those who would find mercy when they are in distress must show mercy when they are in prosperity.”
The widows who receive support from the church should be individuals who in their life have been quick to help and to pray for others. Even if you are not a widow, are you well known for your hospitality and generosity? May we all be the kind of people who are quick to serve those who are in need.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 1 Ti 5:9.
[2] Ibid., 1 Ti 5:9.
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