16”If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.” (1 Timothy 5:16 (ESV)
In today’s featured text, the Apostle Paul concluded his extended instructions concerning the church’s responsibility toward true widows (I Tim. 5:3-15). However, the focus slightly shifts from what the believing widows should be and do for the church, to what fellow believers should be and do for fellow believing widows.
To begin with, a believing woman should care for any widows within her immediate and extended family. This command to care should follow the previous statements by Paul concerning who is a true widow. If such a widow meets those requirements, the believing relative must meet her needs. Such a proposal would also apply to men ministering to widows and widowers.
Dr. Donald Guthrie writes, “Paul again states here what he has already said in vs 4 and 8 to the effect that relatives should help widows, rather than that the church should be burdened (14–16). The responsibility for helping widows in the family was not necessarily left to women (as v 16 might imply). Some of the ancient scribes realized the difficulty and emended the text to include the men.” [1]
“Paul wanted to be certain that the instructions of verse 8 were understood to include well-situated women as well as men. The men would be the obvious objects of Paul’s directions in verse 8, but not necessarily the women. So, as a closing note to his discussion of widows, Paul specified that any believing woman who possessed the means bore the same responsibilities for widows in her family as would a man in similar circumstances.”[2]
The reasoning behind Paul’s counsel is obvious; “Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.” To be burdened (βαρείσθω; bareistho) means to be weighed down with troubling obligations. Paul commanded the local church must not be financially obligated in such circumstances. This then allowed the church to care for widows who meet the biblical qualifications for financial assistance.
“Is there, then, no work in the kingdom for a young widow with means and with the desire to help the good cause? O yes there is! In addition to what she is able to do in a strictly personal way (for example, pray for the church and for all those in need, make a personal visit to those in need, etc.), there is another way in which she can help the church. And not only she but any believing woman (πιστή is the best reading here;.) who has the means can do the thing which Paul expresses in these words: But if any believing woman has widows, let her assist them,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.[3]
“Here the apostle returns to the thought expressed in verses 3 and 4. Needy widows are first of all the responsibility of those who are nearest to them; for example, children, grandchildren, women of means who stand in a relation of closeness to them. Let them then do their duty. Not only is this morally the right thing to do, but there is also a very practical consideration. The church has its hands full as it is. It does not count many rich people among its members (Mark 10:25; cf. 1 Cor. 1:26). Hence, it should not be burdened (weighed down with too heavy a load; for the verb see also 2 Cor. 1:8; 5:4; then Matt. 26:43; Luke 9:32; 21:34). Without this extra burden it will be able to assist “those who are really (what is implied in the name) widows.” This last clause has already been explained (see on verse 3). These are the widows who are completely destitute, having no one to support them. If everyone does his part, it will be so much easier for the church to care for these widows. Truly, a lesson also for today!”[4]
The Apostle Paul provided practical wisdom with biblical truth for the local church. What was needed then remains needed today.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] Donald Guthrie, “1 Timothy,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1302.
[2] A. Duane Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 743–744.
[3] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 178.
[4] Ibid., 178–179.
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