1 Timothy 5:4
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1 Timothy 5:4
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
Chapter Context
1 Timothy 5 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of grace, prayer, judgment. Written during after Paul's first Roman imprisonment (c. 62-64 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: False teaching in Ephesus required organizational and doctrinal clarification.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Timothy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Timothy 5:4
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
Analysis
But if any widow have children or nephews (εἰ δέ τις χήρα τέκνα ἢ ἔκγονα ἔχει, ei de tis chēra tekna ē ekgona echei)—'if any widow has children or grandchildren.' Ekgona means descendants, grandchildren. Let them learn first to shew piety at home (μανθανέτωσαν πρῶτον τὸν ἴδιον οἶκον εὐσεβεῖν, manthanetōsan prōton ton idion oikon eusebein)—'let them first learn to show godliness to their own household.'
And to requite their parents (καὶ ἀμοιβὰς ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς προγόνοις, kai amoibas apodidonai tois progonois)—'and to repay their parents/ancestors.' Amoibas apodidonai means to give back in return, to reciprocate. For that is good and acceptable before God (τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν ἀπόδεκτον ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ, touto gar estin apodekton enōpion tou theou).
Adult children have primary responsibility to care for widowed mothers/grandmothers. This is eusebeia (godliness) practiced at home—repaying parents who cared for you in childhood. God approves this intergenerational faithfulness. The church should not enable families to shirk their duty.
Historical Context
The fifth commandment requires honoring parents (Exodus 20:12)—including financial care in old age. Jesus condemned Pharisees who used religious gifts (Corban) to avoid supporting parents (Mark 7:9-13). Paul applies this principle: family bears primary responsibility for widows. The church supplements, but should not replace, family care. This prevents abuse of benevolence and teaches godliness at home.
Reflection
- How does caring for aging parents constitute 'godliness at home'?
- Why does God consider repaying parents (who cared for us) so important?
- How can churches encourage families to fulfill care responsibilities without being harsh to genuinely overwhelmed families?
Word Studies
- God: Θεός (Theos) G2316 - God
Cross-References
- Good: 1 Timothy 2:3
- Parallel theme: Genesis 47:12, 47:28, Judges 12:14, Ruth 2:2, 2:18, Job 18:19