1 Timothy 5
1 Do not sharply rebuke an aged man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men, as brethren;
Don't rebuke a man who is older than you. Instead, encourage him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers,
2 the elder women, as mothers; the younger, as sisters, with all purity.
older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with the highest standards of decency.
3 Honor as widows those that are widows indeed.
Help widows who don't have a family.
4 But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety to their own family, and to requite their parents; for this is acceptable before God.
For the Christian responsibility of a widow's children or grandchildren is to do their duty for their own family, and repay their parents by helping them out. This is what pleases God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and left alone, hath set her hope on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day;
Now a real widow, having no family, alone and without support, puts her hope in God and prays for help night and day.
6 but she that giveth herself up to pleasure is dead while she liveth.
But a widow who concentrates on pleasing herself is already dead, even though she's still physically alive.
7 These things also enjoin, that they may be blameless.
Give people these instructions so that they will be above criticism.
8 But if any one provideth not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
But those who don't look after their relatives, especially their own family, have denied their beliefs, and are worse than those who don't believe.
9 Let a widow be put on the list when not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one husband,
Only widows over sixty who have been faithful to their husbands should be put on the list.
10 well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
The widow should have a reputation for doing good. Did she bring up children properly? Has she been hospitable? Has she washed the feet of church members? Has she helped those who were in trouble? Has she really tried to do good in every way?
11 But younger widows refuse; for when they become wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;
Don't take on widows who are younger, because when their physical desires make them want to re-marry they abandon their dedication to Christ.
12 falling into condemnation, because they have cast off their first faith;
In this they are guilty of breaking their previous commitment.
13 and withal they learn to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
They also get used to a lazy life, just visiting each other in their homes. Not only lazy, but they gossip and meddle, talking about things they shouldn't.
14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, guide the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
So my best advice is that younger widows marry and have children and take care of the home. That way there's no opportunity for criticism from the Enemy.
15 For some have already turned aside after Satan.
However, some have already gone the way of Satan.
16 If any man or woman that is a believer have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be burdened, that it may relieve those that are widows indeed.
Any Christian woman who has widows in the family should help them, so that the church is not burdened with the responsibility, and can help those widows who are truly in need.
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor; especially they who labor in the word and in teaching.
Elders who direct the church well should be seen as doubly valuable, particularly those who work in speaking the Word and in teaching.
18 For the Scripture saith, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox while he is treading out the grain”; and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
As Scripture says, “Don't muzzle the ox when it's threshing out the grain.” Also, “The worker deserves to be paid.”
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation without two or three witnesses.
Don't entertain any accusation against an elder unless two or three witnesses support it.
20 Those that sin rebuke before all, that the rest also may fear.
Censure those who sin in front of everyone as a warning to others as well.
21 I charge thee before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudging, doing nothing with partiality.
Before God and Christ Jesus, and the holy angels, I instruct you to follow these instructions without bias. Don't do anything from an attitude of favoritism.
22 Lay hands hastily on no one, neither share in other men's sins. Keep thyself pure.
Don't be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone; and don't get involved in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink water only, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thy frequent infirmities.
Don't just drink water, but use a little bit of wine because of your bad stomach—you're sick so often!
24 Some men's sins are openly manifest, going before them to judgment; and some men they follow after.
The sins of some people are really obvious, and they are clearly guilty, but the sins of others are not seen until later.
25 In like manner also the good works of some are openly manifest; and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.
Similarly some good works are obvious, and even those that are hidden won't be for long.
