The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy

⭑ Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 5 -

Rebuke not an Elder, but exhort him as a father, and the yonger men as brethren,

The elder women as mothers, the yonger as sisters, with all purenesse.

Honoring True Widows

(Ruth 1:1–5)

Honour widowes, which are widowes in deede.

But if any widowe haue children or nephewes, let them learne first to shewe godlinesse towarde their owne house, and to recompense their kinred: for that is an honest thing and acceptable before God.

And shee that is a widowe in deede and left alone, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and praiers night and day.

But shee that liueth in pleasure, is dead, while shee liueth.

These things therefore warne them of, that they may be blamelesse.

If there bee any that prouideth not for his owne, and namely for them of his housholde, hee denieth the faith, and is worse then an infidell.

Let not a widow be taken into the number vnder three score yeere olde, that hath beene the wife of one husband,

And well reported of for good woorkes: if shee haue nourished her children, if shee haue lodged the strangers, if shee haue washed the Saintes feete, if shee haue ministred vnto them which were in aduersitie, if shee were continually giuen vnto euery good woorke.

But refuse the yonger widowes: for when they haue begun to waxe wanton against Christ, they will marrie,

Hauing damnation, because they haue broken the first faith.

And likewise also being idle they learne to goe about from house to house: yea, they are not onely ydle, but also pratlers and busibodies, speaking things which are not comely.

I will therefore that the yonger women marie, and beare children, and gouerne the house, and giue none occasion to the aduersary to speake euill.

For certaine are alreadie turned backe after Satan.

If any faithfull man, or faithfull woman haue widowes, let them minister vnto them, and let not the Church bee charged, that there may bee sufficient for them that are widowes in deede.

Honoring Elders

The Elders that rule well, let them be had in double honour, specially they which labour in the worde and doctrine,

For the Scripture sayeth, Thou shalt not mousell the mouth of the oxe that treadeth out the corne: and, The labourer is worthie of his wages.

Against an Elder receiue none accusation, but vnder two or three witnesses.

Them that sinne, rebuke openly, that the rest also may feare.

A Charge to Timothy

I charge thee before God and the Lord Iesus Christ, and the elect Angels, that thou obserue these thinges without preferring one to an other, and doe nothing partially.

Lay handes suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other mens sinnes: keepe thy selfe pure.

Drinke no longer water, but vse a litle wine for thy stomakes sake, and thine often infirmities.

Some mens sinnes are open before hand, and goe before vnto iudgement: but some mens folowe after.

Likewise also the good woorkes are manifest before hande, and they that are otherwise, cannot be hid.

Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;

the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

Honoring True Widows

(Ruth 1:1–5)

Honor widows who are widows indeed.

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is (a) acceptable in the sight of God.

Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.

Also command these things, that they may be without reproach.

But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.

But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.

Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.

For already some have turned away after Satan.

If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.

Honoring Elders

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.”(b) And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” (c)

Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses.

Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.

A Charge to Timothy

I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later.

In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.

Footnotes

(a)5:4 TR adds “good and”

(b)5:18 ℘ Deuteronomy 25:4