1 Timothy 5:4 “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to…”

1 Timothy 5:4

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

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 acceptable in the sight of God.

American Standard Version

But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

Geneva Bible 1599

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.

Darby Translation

but if any widow have children or descendants, let them learn first to be pious as regards their own house, and to render a return on their side to [their] parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

Young's Literal Translation

and if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to their own house to show piety, and to give back a recompense to the parents, for this is right and acceptable before God.

Bible in Basic English

But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.

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Cross references

“nephews”

Judges 12:14 Job 18:19 Isaiah 14:22

Judges 12:14 · BSB

He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. And he judged Israel eight years.

Job 18:19 · BSB

He has no offspring or posterity among his people, no survivor where he once lived.

Isaiah 14:22 · BSB

“I will rise up against them,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will cut off from Babylon her name and her remnant, her offspring and her posterity,” declares the LORD.

“learn”

Proverbs 31:28 Luke 2:51 1 Samuel 22:3 1 Samuel 22:4 John 19:26 John 19:27

Proverbs 31:28 · BSB

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:

Luke 2:51 · BSB

Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

1 Samuel 22:3 · BSB

From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I learn what God will do for me.”

1 Samuel 22:4 · BSB

So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.

John 19:26 · BSB

When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.”

John 19:27 · BSB

Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home.

“piety”

Matthew 15:4–6 Mark 7:11–13

Matthew 15:4–6 · BSB

For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Mark 7:11–13 · BSB

But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God),

“to requite”

Ephesians 6:1–3 Genesis 47:12 Ruth 2:2 Ruth 2:18 Genesis 47:28 Genesis 45:10

Ephesians 6:1–3 · BSB

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Genesis 47:12 · BSB

Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families.

Ruth 2:2 · BSB

And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.” “Go ahead, my daughter,” Naomi replied.

Ruth 2:18 · BSB

She picked up the grain and went into the town, where her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. And she brought out what she had saved from her meal and gave it to Naomi.

Genesis 47:28 · BSB

And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, and the length of his life was 147 years.

Genesis 45:10 · BSB

You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own.

“good”

1 Timothy 2:3

1 Timothy 2:3 · BSB

This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

3Honor the widows who are truly widows.

5The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.

Read 1 Timothy 5