1 Timothy 5:10

Amplified Bible

and has a reputation for good deeds; [she is eligible] if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the saints (God's people), if she has assisted the distressed, and has devoted herself to doing good in every way.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
and is well known for good works—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.

King James Version (1611)
Well reported of for good works, if shee haue brought vp children, if shee haue lodged strangers, if she haue washed the Saints feet, if shee haue releeued the afflicted, if shee haue diligently followed euery good worke.

King James Version
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.

English Standard Version
and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

New American Standard Bible
having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

New Century Version
She must be known for her good works—works such as raising her children, welcoming strangers, washing the feet of God's people, helping those in trouble, and giving her life to do all kinds of good deeds.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

Legacy Standard Bible
having a reputation for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in affliction, if she has devoted herself to every good work.

Berean Standard Bible
and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.

Contemporary English Version
She must also be well-known for doing all sorts of good things, such as raising children, giving food to strangers, welcoming God's people into her home, helping people in need, and always making herself useful.

Complete Jewish Bible
and is known for her good deeds — as one who has reared her children well, showed hospitality, washed the feet of God's people, helped those in trouble, and engaged in all kinds of good work.

Darby Translation
borne witness to in good works, if she have brought up children, if she have exercised hospitality, if she have washed saints' feet, if she have imparted relief to the distressed, if she have diligently followed every good work.

Easy-to-Read Version
She must be known for the good she has done: raising children, welcoming travelers into her home, serving the needs of God's people, helping those in trouble, and using her life to do all kinds of good.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And well reported of for good woorkes: if shee haue nourished her children, if shee haue lodged the strangers, if shee haue washed the Saintes feete, if shee haue ministred vnto them which were in aduersitie, if shee were continually giuen vnto euery good woorke.

George Lamsa Translation
And well spoken of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has comforted the distressed, if she has been diligent in every good work.

Good News Translation
and have a reputation for good deeds: a woman who brought up her children well, received strangers in her home, performed humble duties for other Christians, helped people in trouble, and devoted herself to doing good.

Lexham English Bible
being well-attested by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has helped those who are oppressed, if she has devoted herself to every good work.

Literal Translation
being witnessed by good works, if she brought up children, if she hosted strangers, if she washed the feet of the saints, if she relieved afflicted ones, if she followed after every good work.

American Standard Version
well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.

Bible in Basic English
And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.

Hebrew Names Version
well reported of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has used hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the holy ones' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

International Standard Version
She must be well known for her good works as a woman who has raised children, welcomed strangers, washed the saints' feet, helped the suffering, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.Genesis 18:4; 19:2; Luke 7:38,44; John 13:5,14; Acts 16:15; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
and who hath the testimony of good works: if she have brought up children, if she have received guests, if she have washed the feet of the saints, if she have cheered the afflicted, if she have walked in every gracious work.

Murdock Translation
and hath a reputation for good works; if she have trained up children, if she have entertained strangers, if she have washed the feet of saints, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have walked in every good work.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And well reported of in good workes, yf she haue brought vp chyldren, yf she haue lodged straungers, yf she haue wasshed the saintes feete, yf she haue ministred vnto them that were in aduersitie, yf she haue ben continually geuen to euery good worke.

English Revised Version
well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.

World English Bible
well reported of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has used hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
having been the wife of one husband, Well reported of for good works, if she hath brought up children, if she hath lodged strangers, if she hath washed the feet of the saints, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.

Weymouth's New Testament
She must have been true to her one husband, and well reported of for good deeds, as having brought up children, received strangers hospitably, washed the feet of God's people, given relief to the distressed, and devoted herself to good works of every kind.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and hath witnessing in good werkis, if sche nurschede children, if sche resseyuede pore men to herbore, if sche hath waischun the feet of hooli men, if sche mynystride to men that suffriden tribulacioun, if sche folewide al good werk.

Update Bible Version
well reported of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has used hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

Webster's Bible Translation
Well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath lodged strangers, if she hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.

New English Translation
and has a reputation for good works: as one who has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress—as one who has exhibited all kinds of good works.

New King James Version
well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

New Living Translation
She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?

New Life Bible
She must be known for doing good things for people and for being a good mother. She must be known for taking strangers into her home and for washing the feet of Christians. She must be known for helping those who suffer and for showing kindness.

New Revised Standard
she must be well attested for her good works, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints' feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
In noble works, being well-attested; - if she hath nourished children, if she hath shewn hospitality, if, saints feet, she hath washed, if, them who were in tribulation, she hath succoured, if, in every good, work she hath followed on:

Revised Standard Version
and she must be well attested for her good deeds, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
and well reported of in good workes: yf she have noresshed children yf she have bene liberall to straugers yf she have wesshed the saynctes fete yf she have ministred vnto them which were in adversite yf she were continually geve vnto all maner good workes.

Young's Literal Translation
in good works being testified to: if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers, if saints' feet she washed, if those in tribulation she relieved, if every good work she followed after;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and well reported of in good workes, yf she haue brought vp children well, yf she haue bene harberous, yf she haue wasshed the sayntes fete, yf she haue mynistred vnto the which were in aduersite, yf she were continually geuen to all maner of good workes.

Mace New Testament (1729)
such as have been recommended by their good actions, by the education of their children, by their hospitality, by their officiousness to the faithful, by relieving the afflicted, and by the practice of every virtue.

Simplified Cowboy Version
She must also be well respected around the area. This respect should come from her previously being a good momma, feeding hungry cowboys passing through, cleaning up those who need help, lending a hand to those who are sick, and never tiring of doing good things.

Contextual Overview

³Honor and help those widows who are truly widowed [alone, and without support]. ⁴But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God. ⁵Now a woman who is really a widow and has been left [entirely] alone [without adequate income] trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. ⁶Whereas she who lives for pleasure and self-indulgence is spiritually dead even while she still lives. ⁷Keep instructing [the people to do] these things as well, so that they may be blameless and beyond reproach. ⁸If anyone fails to provide for his own, and especially for those of his own family, he has denied the faith [by disregarding its precepts] and is worse than an unbeliever [who fulfills his obligation in these matters]. ⁹A widow is to be put on the list [to receive regular assistance] only if she is over sixty years of age, [having been] the wife of one man, ¹⁰and has a reputation for good deeds; [she is eligible] if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the saints (God's people), if she has assisted the distressed, and has devoted herself to doing good in every way.¹¹But refuse [to enroll the] younger widows, for when they feel their natural desires in disregard of Christ, they wish to marry again, ¹²and so they incur condemnation for having set aside their previous pledge.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

reported: 1 Timothy 3:7, Acts 6:3, Acts 10:22, Acts 22:12, 3 John 1:12

good: 1 Timothy 5:25, 1 Timothy 2:10, 1 Timothy 6:18, Matthew 5:16, Acts 9:36, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Timothy 3:17, Titus 2:7, Titus 3:8, Titus 3:14, Hebrews 10:24, Hebrews 13:21, 1 Peter 2:12

if she have brought: 2 Timothy 1:5, 2 Timothy 3:15

if she have lodged: Acts 16:14, Acts 16:15, Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9

washed: Genesis 18:4, Genesis 19:2, Genesis 24:32, Luke 7:38, Luke 7:44, John 13:5-15

if she have relieved: Leviticus 25:35, Isaiah 1:17, Acts 9:39

if she have diligently: Psalms 119:4, Colossians 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:21, Titus 2:14, Titus 3:1, Titus 3:8,*Gr.

Reciprocal: Exodus 2:20 - call him Leviticus 14:42 - General Judges 19:21 - they washed 1 Samuel 25:41 - to wash 2 Kings 3:11 - poured water 2 Chronicles 28:15 - clothed Job 31:32 - The stranger Proverbs 31:13 - worketh Proverbs 31:27 - General Isaiah 58:7 - to deal Matthew 25:17 - he also Matthew 25:35 - I was a Matthew 26:10 - a good Mark 14:6 - a good Luke 8:3 - of their Luke 14:13 - call Acts 16:2 - was Romans 16:1 - a servant Romans 16:6 - who 1 Corinthians 14:1 - Follow 1 Corinthians 16:15 - to the 2 Corinthians 8:4 - the ministering Philippians 3:12 - I follow Philippians 4:3 - help Philippians 4:8 - are of 1 Timothy 6:11 - and Titus 2:5 - good 1 Peter 3:5 - the holy 1 Peter 3:13 - followers

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Well reported of for good works,.... Both by the members of the church, and by them that were without:

particularly if she have brought up children; that is, "well", as the Arabic version adds; in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; commanding them, as Abraham did, to keep the way of the Lord, and to do justice and judgment; training them up in the paths of religion and virtue, from which they will not so easily depart when grown up.

If she have lodged strangers; as Abraham and Lot did, who entertained angels unawares: this may be understood of strangers in common, but especially of the brethren, ministers, and others, who came from distant parts, and travelled about to spread the Gospel of Christ. The y Jews say many things בכבוד אכסניא, "in honour of hospitality" or entertaining of strangers, especially of receiving into their houses the disciples of the wise men, and giving them food and drink, and the use of their goods; this was what gave persons a very great character with them, and highly recommended them.

If she have washed the saints' feet; which was usual in those hot countries, where they wore sandals only, partly for refreshment, and partly for the removal of dust and filth, contracted in walking; instances of this we have in several places of Scripture, Genesis 18:4. It was such a common piece of civility, that our Lord complains of the neglect of it towards him, Luke 7:44. It was what he did to his own disciples, and in so doing set them an example of what they should do to one another, John 13:14 and being a mean and low office, and which very likely was done by the servants of the house; the sense may be, if she has condescended to do the meanest office for the saints.

If she have relieved the afflicted; either in body, with her purse; or in mind, by visiting them, and speaking comfortably to them: in general,

if she have diligently followed every good work; not only have done good works at certain times, but has followed that which is good; has closely pursued it, and that with great eagerness and diligence; has been constant and indefatigable in the performance of it.

y T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 63. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Well reported of for good works - Of good character or reputation; see the notes on 1 Timothy 3:7.

If she have brought up children - Either her own or others. The idea is, if she has done this in a proper manner.

If she have lodged strangers - If she has been characterized by hospitality - a virtue greatly commended in the Scriptures; compare notes on 1 Timothy 3:2.

If she have washed the saints’ feet - It is not certain whether this is to be understood literally, or whether it merely denotes that she had performed offices of a humble and self-denying kind - such as would be shown by washing the feet of others. It was one of the rites of hospitality in the East to wash the feet of the guest Genesis 18:4, and Paul might have spoken of this as having been literally performed. There is not the slightest evidence that he refers to it as a religious rite, or ordinance, anymore than he does to the act of bringing up children as a religious rite; compare notes on John 13:1-10.

If she have relieved the afflicted - If it has been her character that she was ready to furnish relief to those who were in distress.

If she have diligently followed every good work - This is one of the characteristics of true piety. A sincere Christian will, like God, be the friend of all that is good, and will be ready to promote every good object according to his ability. He will not merely be the friend of one good cause, to the neglect of others, but he will endeavor to promote every good object, and though from special circumstances, and special dealings of Providence, he may have been particularly interested in some one object of charity, yet every good object will find a response in his heart, and he will be ready to promote it by his influence, his property, and his prayers.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 10. Well reported of for good works — Numbers being able to bear testimony, as the word implies, that she has not only avoided all sin, but that she has walked according to the testimony of God.

Brought up children — It was customary among the Gentiles to expose their children, when so poor that they were not able to provide for them. Pious and humane people took these up; and fed, clothed, and educated them. The words brought up may refer to the children of others, who were educated in the Christian faith by pious Christian women.

Lodged strangers — If she have been given to hospitality, freely contributing to the necessitous, when she had it in her power.

Washed the saints' feet — This was an office of humanity shown to all strangers and travellers in the eastern countries, who, either walking barefoot, or having only a sort of sole to defend the foot, needed washing when they came to their journey's end. Pious women generally did this act of kindness.

Relieved the afflicted — Visited and ministered to the sick.

Diligently followed every good work — In a word, if she have been altogether a Christian, living according to the precepts of the Gospel, and doing the Lord's work with all her heart, soul, and strength.

From the character given here of the widow indeed, it may be doubted whether χηρα, widow, was not in some cases the name of an office, which name it might have from being ordinarily filled by widows. It can hardly be supposed that any widow, unless she had considerable property, could have done the things enumerated in this verse, some of which would occasion no small expense. The widow indeed may mean a person who was to be employed in some office in the Church; and Timothy is enjoined not to take any into that office unless she had been before remarkable for piety and humanity. Some think that the widows of whom the apostle speaks had been deaconesses, and wished now to be taken on what might be termed the superannuated list; and the apostle lays down rules for the admission of such, the sum of which is: Let none come on this superannuated list unless she be at least sixty years of age, and can bring proof of her having conscientiously discharged the office and duty of a deaconess.