1 Timothy 5:3-16

The passage points to the universal responsibility for believers to provide help, with a widow only to be enrolled if she had cared for the afflicted and “devoted herself to every good work.” This assumes that believers are all to be engaged in serving others—it is simply something Christians do.

The reason for the believing women to take this responsibility is explained in the remainder of the verse. The church is not to be burdened with the care that the family members should take, because the church has the responsibility to care for widows who do not have family.

Paul adds a second reason for refusing to enroll younger widows in verse thirteen. While they are turning away from Christ (ἅµα δὲ), they are also learning to be idle (καὶ ἀργαὶ µανθάνουσιν).

Paul transitions from the families’ responsibility to care for widows to the church’s responsibility. He begins with the command to enroll true widows, further clarifying who those widows are.

With the historical and literary context addressed, it is now possible to look more closely at the passage itself. Verse three provides the underlying principle for the passage.