1 KuTimoti 5:4

Izhibhalo Ezingcwele

4 Ke ukuba kukho mhlolokazi uthile unabantwana, nokuba ngabazukulwana, ukuqala mabafunde ukuhlonela elabo ikhaya, bababuyekezele umbuyekezo ooninakhulu; kuba oko kuhle, kwamkelekile emehlweni kaThixo.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

nephews: Judges 12:14, *marg. Job 18:19, Isaiah 14:22

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

piety: or, kindness, Matthew 15:4-6, Mark 7:11-13

to requite: Genesis 45:10, Genesis 45:11, Genesis 47:12, Genesis 47:28, Ruth 2:2, Ruth 2:18, Ephesians 6:1-3

good: 1 Timothy 2:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:7 - If thou doest well Proverbs 30:11 - doth Matthew 15:6 - honour Luke 7:12 - a widow Acts 6:1 - their Acts 28:10 - honoured Romans 12:1 - acceptable Romans 14:18 - is Ephesians 5:10 - acceptable 1 Timothy 5:3 - indeed 1 Timothy 5:8 - house 1 Timothy 5:9 - a widow 1 Timothy 5:16 - let them James 1:27 - Pure

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But if any widow have children or nephews,.... Such are not widows indeed; they are not desolate, or alone, or without persons to take care of them; their children or nephews should, and not suffer the church to be burdened with them. Wherefore it follows,

let them learn first to show piety at home; which some understand of the widows, who, instead of casting themselves upon the church for a maintenance, or taking upon them the office of a deaconess, to take care of others, should continue in their own families, and bring up their children and nephews in like manner as they have been brought up by their parents, which will be more pleasing and acceptable unto God; but it is better to interpret it of their children; and so the Ethiopic version expresses it, "let the children first learn to do well to their own house", or family. It is the duty of children to take care of their parents in old age, and provide for them, when they cannot for themselves: this is a lesson they ought to learn in the first place, and a duty which they ought principally to observe; they should not suffer them to come to a church for relief, but first take care of them themselves, as long as they are in any capacity to do it; and these should be their first care before any others; so to do is an act of piety, a religious action, a pious one; it is doing according to the will and law of God, and is well pleasing to him:

and to requite their parents; for all the sorrow, pain, trouble, care, and expenses they have been at in bearing and bringing them forth into the world, in taking care of them in their infancy, in bringing them up, giving them an education, providing food and raiment for them, and settling them in the world; wherefore to neglect them in old age, when incapable of providing for themselves, would be base ingratitude; whereas to take care of them is but a requital of them, or a repaying them for former benefits had of them:

for that is good and acceptable before God; it is good in itself, and grateful, and well pleasing in his sight; it is part of the good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God; and which, as other actions done in faith, is acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But if any widow have children - Who would be dependent on her care, and who might themselves contribute to her support.

Or nephews - The word nephew now commonly means the son of a brother or sister. Formerly the English word also meant grandchildren, or descendants of any description. Webster. The Greek word here - ἔκγονα ekgona - has the latter meaning. It denotes those “sprung from or born of;” and then descendants of any kind - sons, daughters, grandchildren. The Greek word would not, in fact, properly include nephews and nieces. It embraces only those in a direct line.

Let them learn first to show piety at home - Margin, “or kindness.” That is, let the children and grandchildren learn to do this. Let them have an opportunity of performing their duty toward their aged parent or grandparent. Do not receive such a widow among the poor and dependent females of the church, to be maintained at public expense, but let her children support her. Thus they will have an opportunity of evincing Christian kindness, and of requiting her for her care. This the apostle calls “showing piety” - εὐσεβεῖν eusebein - that is, “filial piety;” piety toward a parent by providing for the needs of that parent in advanced age. The word is commonly used to denote piety toward God, but it is also used to denote proper reverence and respect for a parent. Robinson.

And to requite their parents - To repay them, as far as possible, for all their kindness. This debt can never be wholly repaid, but still a child should feel it a matter of sacred obligation to do as much toward it as possible.

For that is good and acceptable before God - It is a duty everywhere enjoined; compare Matthew 15:5-7 notes; Ephesians 6:1-2 notes.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Timothy 5:4. But if any widow have children or nephews — This shows that widows indeed are those that have neither children nor nephews, i.e. no relatives that either will or can help them, or no near relatives alive.

Let them learn first to show piety at home — Let these children and nephews provide for their aged or helpless parents or relatives, and not burden the Church with them while they are able to support them.

And to requite their parents — Και αμοιβας αποδιδοναι τοις προγονοις· Let them learn to give benefit for benefit. Your parents supported and nourished you when you were young and helpless; you ought therefore to support them when they are old and destitute. This is called showing piety; and there is doubtless an allusion to the fifth commandment: Honour thy father and thy mother-provide for them in their old age and afflictions; God commands this.