A note from our Pastor:

”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.”

1 Timothy 5:4

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

In our study verse this week, the Apostle Paul continues his teachings to Timothy on the important subject of widows in the church. The lessons in this verse are just a small fraction of the overall lesson. In this verse, children of God receive a lesson on both widows and the role of their children.

In the prior verse, the Apostle referenced the need for the church to take care of those who were widows indeed. Now he adds more understanding around that term. If a woman, who has lost her husband to death, has children or grandchildren then she is not a widow indeed. The word translated here as nephews is better understood to be grandchildren. She is not a widow indeed because she has family members who can provide for her.

The instruction for the widow to be cared for by her children and grandchildren instead of the church is of two fold importance. First, from a very natural and rationale standpoint the care of widows by the church was going to use a considerable amount of their means. As a community of believers, the resources were limited and, thus, if one could be cared for by family it would allow the limited resources to be stretched further.

Second, as the Aposlte points out, it is the correct thing for the children and grandchildren to be doing. The woman who is now the widow spent years raising them with all the work and sacrifice that is necessary to raise children. Now in turn as they take care of her as a widow they are behaving themselves in a manner which is seen favorably by God.

The Apostle was not telling Timothy to ignore those widows who had family. They still need the love, support, and care of the community of believers, but matters of financial and material care were to be handled by the children and grandchildren. In many instances today, this is the situation the community of believers most often finds itself in with not only widows, but also widowers and others who have suffered loss and tragedy.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah